This post is for those interested in the details of Colonel Thorn's real estate ventures in Manhattan. I've just pasted in the raw data for you to look though. The early purchases and inheritances were all in the Financial District, but later of course, he settled a bit further away when he built the brownstone.... Continue Reading →
I had always planned to post this is my last post on this website, but really, this blog will probably never end! So here are some interesting eulogies for Herman, who apparently died on July 31, 1959 from paralysis, which he had been suffering or two years prior to his death (stroke?). There was much... Continue Reading →
I'm not going to recount the whole story behind this. You can read the court documents (page 702). But it seems as though, after William Jauncey died, Herman pressured Jane's cousin Elizabeth Hait into selling her share of the inheritance to him for a reduced price. It's hard to imagine why anyone would agree to... Continue Reading →
I am continuing to compile research on the ships owned or commanded by the Jauncey's in the early part of their business careers and have created a page in the website's top menu (Timeline - The Jauncey Ships) to keep a chronological record. Their privateers (and piracy) were how they amassed their wealth, and are... Continue Reading →
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 →
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…