John Moran auctioneers sold this lovely gold box below in 2024. It had been designed for Herman Thorn, who gifted it to Michael Moore, the owner of the Trenton Falls Hotel. This is the place that Zerlina Thorn sadly drowned, while on a family holiday in 1836 (some records state this is having happened in 1841, but this is incorrect).
Michael Moore was the son-in-law of the hotel’s first owner, John Sherman. Sherman had brought land there in the 1820’s, and on the instigation of Govenor Philip Hone (Herman Thorn’s good friend), extended the dimensions of his house to offer guest accommodation. I expect that the Thorn’s stayed at Trenton Falls on the recommendation of Philip Hone.
“In 1827, visitor Michael Moore severely injured his leg during a fall in the gorge; Sherman’s daughter Maria nursed Moore back to health. In 1831, Moore married Maria Sherman and assumed management of the resort.” The Moore’s had nine children of their own and were well known at the time (see the painting above).
I wonder if the families were friends, or perhaps brought together over the tragedy, as Michael himself had been injured there? I also wonder if the current owner of the box knows the provenance?
Below is the auctioneers catalogue, with the gold box located on page 134.
The Colonel and Mrs Thorn 
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