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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
I'm constantly surprised at how uncharitable people in the Parisian aristocratic social scene were. It's as though being rude is a sport of its own! Here, the Count Apponyi keeps a diary entry about a disastrous dinner at the Thorns. March 15. Mr. Thorn, the famous American, gave us a dinner for fifty people, boring... Continue Reading →
In looking back through some source material, I noticed that John Van Buren, an American politician, had written to his father, President Martin Van Buren about Mary Thorn (de Varaigne), Jane, and James on Thursday 21/2/1839 in Paris: Calling Mary "his old belle" is interesting, considering that she was fifteen or sixteen when she eloped... Continue Reading →
It's always gratifying to see an actual artefact connected to the Thorn family. This is a letter to Herman from John Jacob Astor about his ship Tonquin. Tonquin had been commanded by Herman's brother, Jonathon (a hero of the Barbary Wars), who was killed on a trip to Canada after rudely inciting an argument with... Continue Reading →
James Jancey Senior was deeply involved in New York politics. Below are examples of his activity and involvement with John Cruger and his title of Master of the Rolls: At a meeting of the freemen and freeholders of the city, in order to consult on the Propriety of re-electing the late 4 Members for this... Continue Reading →
In this letter to George Perkins March (considered to be America's first environmentalist), GPA Healy mentions how he has just finished the Thorn portrait. *Dubourjal is a French artist of the time. Paris March 27 1854. 16. Place Vendôme Page 1My dear Marsh, I have been greatly disappointed in not being able to make my... Continue Reading →
The Colonel and Mrs Thorn 
[…] Mr Maurer […]
I noticed that too..nicknames add even more color to the picture
Oh, yes I found the photo amd put it on the poat about the Thorn granchildren! From Jane's letters it…
I shared her portrait and her father James with you…James is the black framed portrait vs the giant gold framed…
Dear Jacqueline, I feel the same as you. It has brought so much to life. Jane is clearly very fond…