Harriet Elizabeth Williams
DANCER, LITTLE PERSON, ACTRESS
Article by Jada Hampton
Harriet Elizabeth Williams was born in 1892 and is believed to have been a native of either Maryland or Pennsylvania.
Though much is not known about her early life, she was a professional “midget”, or little person, at a young age.
She alleged she was just 17 inches and no more than twelve pounds.
Harriet lifted by giant John Aasen with Harold Lloyd
Harriet photographed circa 1916
The World's Smallest Perfect Woman
Hence, her stage name was Princess Wee Wee (also Princess Pee Wee as well as “The Animated Chocoloate Éclair”), “wee” of course meaning little.
Harriet enjoyed national fame while appearing in various sideshows and circuses, including Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1910 and Dreamland Circus in 1908 until 1917.
During her time at Barnum, she befriended a trained chimpanzee
by the name of Chimchim.
Dancing with The Stars
In 1926 she was a featured performer for President Calvin Coolidge at the White House.
The year before she went on tour as a dancer with the Whitman Sisters, who were considered black vaudeville royalty.
She often danced with fellow performer Willie Bryant, a gifted dancer and film & radio personality who was also a featured performer with the Whitman Sisters.
In 1933, she and Essie Whitman moved to California to pursue their dreams of film acting.
Harriet was able to dance in the film The Music Goes Round (1936).
Unmerited Fate Of A Performer
Later, a Shirley Temple film would use her act of dancing and “dashing” between Bryant’s legs though she never received credit or recognition for either film.
Other acts included her dancing with “giants”, people who were over 6ft tall and being lifted and handled in the air with ease.
Not much else is known about her life, she lived to be at least 41 years of age and was a member of the Strange Folks Society.
One could only hope Harriet's dream came true of gaining national acclaim and stardom.
German-inspired drawing of Harriet on a pony
We uplift her legacy as a black performer in a harsh world, and for being a
big star in a wee package.
There’s More To The Story!
With exclusive interviews, performances, and a growing vibrant community, there is so much more to discover.
Become A Member Today (FREE!) and never miss a new exhibition or event.
Follow Us
SOURCES
“1913 PRINCESS WEE WEE BLACK AMERICANA CABINET CARD | #169394398.” Worthpoint, www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1913-princess-wee-wee-black-americana-169394398. Accessed 7 Dec. 2020.
Mundie, James. “Prodigies by James G. Mundie - Princess Wee Wee.” Missioncreep.com, missioncreep.com/mundie/gallery/little/little9.htm. Accessed 7 Dec. 2020.
---. “Sideshow World, Sideshow Performers from around the World, Freak, Central,.” Www.Sideshowworld.com, www.sideshowworld.com/43-Little-Folks/2014/Princess/Wee-Wee.html. Accessed 7 Dec. 2020.
“Princess Wee Wee | Show History.” Showhistory.com, showhistory.com/performers/princess-wee-wee. Accessed 7 Dec. 2020.
travsd. “Princess Pee Wee: Like Something from a Fairy Tale.” (Travalanche), 31 Aug. 2011, travsd.wordpress.com/2011/08/31/stars-of-vaudeville-339-princess-pee-wee/. Accessed 7 Dec. 2020.
“Willie Bryant: Pee Wee and the Palace.” (Travalanche), 30 Aug. 2011, travsd.wordpress.com/2011/08/30/stars-of-vaudeville-38-willie-bryant/. Accessed 7 Dec. 2020.