In researching Herman Thorn's life, I have found a rich composite of stories and snippets that paint a picture of the man. While clearly a spendthrift and a classist social climber, he was also gentlemanly, with a sense of humour and an inclination to host benefits for people in need, such as the impoverished German... Continue Reading →
I have not been able to establish if this was a model of a real boat. If it was, I suspect it had a different name. But there is no mention (that I can find at least) that the Colonel commissioned a boat to be built to sail his family to Europe. Below is the... Continue Reading →
As I try to build a picture of Colonel Thorn's character, I try and envisage many things: how he dressed, what things he surrounded himself with, what his tastes were - in essence, his style. Below are some of the glimpses I've had into the material aspects of his life. This also gives me more... Continue Reading →
Angelina "Jauncey" Thorn was the eldest daughter of the Thorn children. She was born in 1813 and married at the American Embassy in Paris in 1835 to Lewis (Louis) de Pau of New York, grandson of Comte de Grasse. Like her brothers William and James, she was forced to change her surname to "Jauncey" in order... Continue Reading →
In a previous post, I looked at how Jane Mary (Thorn) de Pierres (1821 - 1873) was immortalised in paintings and scultpures, but I'd like to dip into her life a bit more, and try and recreate a picture of her personality. Other than being the third eldest girl of thirteen children, not a lot... Continue Reading →
And so the recounts of the Colonel's masked ball continues. If nothing else, I will one day write this in a fictional form because... well I do love a good party! COLONEL THORN'S BALL Everyone in Paris knows the Hotel Monaco, a veritable reception area, which belongs to Mme Adélaïde, which M. Colonel Thorn, this... Continue Reading →
The Colonel's masked ball in 1840 with the Louis Quatorze theme was written about in many places. I've outlined the evening in two earlier posts but I think it's worth sharing other accounts of the night, so that we can see exactly what an incredible event it was. Here is a version of the evening... Continue Reading →
The renown artist, G.P. A. (George) Healy had an enduring friendship with his patron, Colonel Thorn. Not only did he paint many portraits of the family, but he had his "own room" in their Sixteenth St residence in the Flatiron district in Manhattan. They met on a voyage to Paris in 1831. From that first... Continue Reading →
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 →
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…