Princess Nellie, who lived much of her adult life in Waterford, was just 30 inches tall and, at age 40, weighed 42 pounds. We would call her a "little person" today, but in those pre-PC days she was known as a midget. She spent a great part of her life in the world of show business.

We would call her a "little person" today, but in those pre-PC days she was known as a midget. She spent a great part of her life in the world of show business.She was born Nellie Frances Way on March 25, 1885, in East Haddam, one of 11 children of Frank and Roxana Way, of whom three were "little people." She grew up in Salem, attending Pond School.

She was born Nellie Frances Way on March 25, 1885, in East Haddam, one of 11 children of Frank and Roxana Way, of whom three were "little people." She grew up in Salem, attending Pond School. She was tiny but talented, and early traveled with various carnivals and road shows, expertly playing the organ, harp and violin.

She was tiny but talented, and early traveled with various carnivals and road shows, expertly playing the organ, harp and violin. On the road she met Maj. Stanley Jober. Born in Warsaw, Poland, according to his draft papers, he measured 3 feet 10 inches, a bit taller than she. They were married April 14, 1920, in the Huntington Street Baptist Church in New London, forming the team known professionally as the Jober midgets. Eventually they traveled with the large Otis Smith carnival circus, which wintered in Syracuse, N.Y.

On the road she met Maj. Stanley Jober. Born in Warsaw, Poland, according to his draft papers, he measured 3 feet 10 inches, a bit taller than she. They were married April 14, 1920, in the Huntington Street Baptist Church in New London, forming the team known professionally as the Jober midgets. Eventually they traveled with the large Otis Smith carnival circus, which wintered in Syracuse, N.Y.Since normal accommodations on the road were uncomfortable for the Jobers, they converted a truck into a small house on wheels in which they traveled happily from spring to fall for seven years, charming audiences with their skills. Unfortunately, the Great Depression forced the Otis show into bankruptcy, ending their professional careers.

Since normal accommodations on the road were uncomfortable for the Jobers, they converted a truck into a small house on wheels in which they traveled happily from spring to fall for seven years, charming audiences with their skills. Unfortunately, the Great Depression forced the Otis show into bankruptcy, ending their professional careers. They came home to Waterford. I was privileged to meet Nellie during the '30s when she attended the First Baptist Church in New London.

They came home to Waterford. I was privileged to meet Nellie during the '30s when she attended the First Baptist Church in New London. In 1937, Nellie's brother Walter Way built them a tiny three-room house on the Boston Post Road, opposite the south end of Fog Plain Road. Billed as the smallest home in America with a foundation measuring 10-by-30 feet, it was next door to Nellie's parents' home where her brother Harry ran a gas station.

In 1937, Nellie's brother Walter Way built them a tiny three-room house on the Boston Post Road, opposite the south end of Fog Plain Road. Billed as the smallest home in America with a foundation measuring 10-by-30 feet, it was next door to Nellie's parents' home where her brother Harry ran a gas station. Nellie, an expert seamstress who made all her own clothes, happily stitched quilts and curtains to decorate the place. Furniture was small-sized although several normal-sized chairs were provided for visitors.

Nellie, an expert seamstress who made all her own clothes, happily stitched quilts and curtains to decorate the place. Furniture was small-sized although several normal-sized chairs were provided for visitors.Nellie died Sept. 29, 1941 at her home and was buried in Jordan Cemetery. Her gravestone reads "Princess Nellie."

Nellie died Sept. 29, 1941 at her home and was buried in Jordan Cemetery. Her gravestone reads "Princess Nellie." One mystery remains. The Syracuse Herald of Nov. 9, 1924, describing the Otis circus, shows a picture of Nellie with a toddler, stating, "The midget family is interesting, the baby less than a year old being almost as tall as the mother." And an Internet source says the couple had "an averaged sized daughter" in 1924. Yet Nellie's obituary makes no mention of a child. What happened to the baby?

One mystery remains. The Syracuse Herald of Nov. 9, 1924, describing the Otis circus, shows a picture of Nellie with a toddler, stating, "The midget family is interesting, the baby less than a year old being almost as tall as the mother." And an Internet source says the couple had "an averaged sized daughter" in 1924. Yet Nellie's obituary makes no mention of a child. What happened to the baby?Memories remain as well. John Drabik, who suggested this column, tells me that in the 1940s the Jobers' house on wheels was purchased by a Waterford farmer and turned into a small tractor for farm use. My thanks to John and to Michael Spellmon, researcher extraordinaire, for help in reviving the story of this celebrated couple.

Memories remain as well. John Drabik, who suggested this column, tells me that in the 1940s the Jobers' house on wheels was purchased by a Waterford farmer and turned into a small tractor for farm use. My thanks to John and to Michael Spellmon, researcher extraordinaire, for help in reviving the story of this celebrated couple.carolkimball0647@yahoo.com

carolkimball0647@yahoo.com