A Wonderful Musical Evening at Colonel Thorn’s

Love this description from the GAZETTE MUSICALE DE PARIS in 1835! Alice Thorn sang a duet by Handel.A wonderful musical evening took place this week at Colonel Thorn, with the aim of rescuing our unfortunate comrades-triotes from Guadeloupe, and it is believed that the product will have exceeded the figure of 10,000 fr. The hero... Continue Reading →

The Hotel Matignon

As I've been putting together the Thorn family story in non fiction form, I have repeatedly thought what a wonderful novel it would make... full of drama and colour and life. So, I have finally decided to adapt it into that form as well. From there, I hope to further adapt it into a TV... Continue Reading →

Gifting a Gold Box to Michael Moore

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... Continue Reading →

Letter to Madame La Baronne de Pierres

I have purchased this letter on ebay and I am delighted to reveal its contents: Letter to Madame la Baronne de Pierres - Dame d'Honneur de l'Imperatrice Dear Miss Thorn, I thank you for letting me know of your marriage and be assure that I shall certainly assist on Saturday at the ceremony and offer... Continue Reading →

Mr Vester-Sandor Performs at Colonel Thorn’s Salon

I love encountering people who were in the Thorn's lives. It really helps to recreate the times, the way they lived, and the relationships that came and went. Recently, I discovered this mention of Vester Sandor, a dancer, musician, and leader of a dance troupe who played at Colonel Thorn's salon, who was later arrested... Continue Reading →

De Pierres collection: Louis Charles sketched by Marie Antoinette

From time to time, I check eBay and various online sellers for any letters or art related to the Thorn family and their history. Today, I was able to purchase a letter to Jane Thorn congratulating her on her engagement to Baron de Pierres (coming soon!). But I also noticed this sketch and thought how... Continue Reading →

Baron Etienne (Stephan) de Pierres #2

Here is some more commentary on Baron de Pierres' (husband of Jane Mary Thorn) involvement in breeding and racing horses in France. He clearly had a passion for French thoroughbreds. And how sweet that a horse (Pantalon) brought him and his wife together. It's also interesting to see that he reputedly and famously rode Pantalon... Continue Reading →

Rue de Varenne’s Address Changes

I was fascinated to come across a list of who was living on the Rue de Varenne during the time that the Thorns inhabited the Hotel Matignon. Interestingly, this record has them living at no. 23 not no. 57. This may have something to do with the street numbers changing over time (see below). I'm... Continue Reading →

Alice Thorn de Ferussac’s Inheritance Pt 2

I discovered a second report from the New York Herald on the matter of Alice (Thorn) de Ferussac's inheritance. This one was dated in June, while the other was from April, 1913. Though most of the details are the same, it does mention Thorn's run in with authorities for driving a coach and 8 horses.... Continue Reading →

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