For those of you who are interested in New York politics of the time, here is a link to a letter addressed to James Jauncey senior, John Cruger and others in Congress, from a constituent. There is a hint from the below excerpt that James Sr may have been a Freemason. Trinity Church Then there... Continue Reading →
I discovered this letter, which was sent to the Editor-in-chief of Le Sport. It was written by Baron Etienne de Pierres in 1859 and speaks in defence of his father-in-law about the rumours that abounded at the time, after the Colonel had left France to return to New York. It's curious that he responded publically... Continue Reading →
I just discovered that Colonel Thorn was a member of the Circle of Union club in Lyon. ( Cercle de l'Union), which in his day was known as Cercle du Divan.He was mentioned along with: M. Talbot, G. M. Talleyrand, Baron de Talbot, J. M. Talleyrand, Duc de Tarleton. Taylor, Général Temple Frencbe, Colonel Thorn, Colonel Townley,... Continue Reading →
I thought it would be interesting to delve some more into Colonel Thorn's various dinner companions, to paint a picture of the society and conversations he experienced. These are little snapshots that let us glimpse Thorn's world as it was just prior to the Gilded Age. For instance, at dinner at the residence of his... Continue Reading →
As you can see, I haven't been researching much this year, but next year I will be back on task! Despite my lack of activity, I have had a constant stream of messages through the site. People are continuing to seek out the information stored here to help with their personal ancestry journeys. In particular,... Continue Reading →
People have been very generous, helping me out in researching this story, and it's been a joy to meet new people along the way. I'd like to thank Lynda, a descendant of George Healy's for sending me some memorabilia all the way from the USA. The mail is so slow at the moment, it took... Continue Reading →
Below are some of the images I have managed to find for the Thorn men. Missing are William (the eldest), Herman Jr and John who died as a baby. From these images, it would seem that James looks a lot like his father (Eugene possibly too, but the angle makes it hard to tell). Colonel... Continue Reading →
Below is a series of biographical notes about James Jauncey senior - father to William, and Jane Mary's father, John. (Jane Mary then married Herman Thorn and they called one of their boys James. James Thorn was forced to change his name to James Jauncey to inherit his uncle's money). The elder Jauncey's (James and... Continue Reading →
This post is devoted to the details I have been able to find about the privateers (sloops, schooners and brigatines) owned by James and John Jauncey when they came from Bermuda to New York. As I researched, I found a long explanation of how James Jauncey fell into a propaganda battle with a Livingston over... Continue Reading →
Below is a collage of most of the Thorn women (including their mother). It is sadly missing Angelina the eldest, and Zerlina who drowned when she was just twelve years old. Left to right: Jane Mary Jauncey Thorn, Mary Thorn de Varaigne, Jane Mary Thorn de Pierres, Alice Thorn de Ferussac, Ellen Thorn Kirkland, and... Continue Reading →
The Colonel and Mrs Thorn 
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…
How wonderful to hear the voices of the family..the daily life, the visits the boredom…first hand accounts from woman are…