Alice Adele Thorn was born in 25th February 1825 in New York. As one of the Thorn's middle children, it would have been easy for her to have gone unnoticed amongst the larger than life stories of the other children. But Alice had operatic talent and ambitions. She married Bertrand-Amédée d'AUDEBARD de FÉRUSSAC (Baron de... Continue Reading →
Mary Jane Jauncey Thorn's (the second eldest daughter of Col. Thorn) courtship with Antoine Raymond Camille Varaigne du Bourg was marked by high drama and romance. According to various sources including a letter from Susanna Cooper wife of American writer James Fenimore Cooper, Antoine had been a frequent caller at the Thorn residence in Paris.... Continue Reading →
Today, I was contacted by a new French cousin and descendant of Mary Jane Thorn. She owns this original painting of Alice and Jane Mary. I am so excited to see the real thing! Most fascinating are the beautiful dresses and the expressions of the women. Jane (left) looks like she might have found posing... Continue Reading →
You may have realised by now how much I love this kind of research. The interconnectdness of life and how it creates story - past and present! Yesterday, I had a lovely email from a researcher who is hoping to write a book about Susan and Anna Warner, her ancestors. These women were impoverished due... Continue Reading →
I was delighted to discover that Franz Liszt played at the Colonel's Rue de Varenne salon in a charity event to support a German orchestra who had toured Paris and fallen on hard times due to lack of attendance at their performances. Franz Liszt As you can see below, the event was organised by seven... Continue Reading →
Colonel Thorn is widely regarded as the founding father of the American Cathedral in Paris. Though he had left France by the time the church was being built, the whole concept and passion for the project came from the Episcopalian masses that he held at his residence. I visited the Cathedral in 2016 and the... Continue Reading →
Serge tells me that he heard from Zenaide de Saillette that there was a copy of this sculpture of Jane Mary (Thorn) de Pierres made by Paul Gayrard. The Lady ofn Horseback (1853 approx) How incredible it would be to track it down and find out who the owner is now and how it came... Continue Reading →
I should warn you not to expect this collection of notes to be linear. I am writing as information comes to light, or as I feel so inclined. Today, I'd like to talk about Les Bretignolles, which was owned by Etienne and Jane de Pierres in the mid to late 1800's. They are both buried... Continue Reading →
The early nineteenth century in Europe produced some astounding art and literature. I had the pleasure of seeing The Second Republic exhibition at the Musee Dorsay in Paris in 2016. What a revelation! Rich artwork, beautiful sculpture and splendid objets d'art. The aristocracy and the wealthy indulged money and time seeking to record and immortalise... Continue Reading →
I am hoping to build up a picture of the times. Not just politically, but the everyday moments. What did the Colonel and his family do? Who did they talk to? What would those conversations have been about? This post will be devoted to documenting some of their lunch and dinner guests. Though it is,... 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…