The heiress, Mrs Moulton, was described in the newspapers as the daughter of a rich American piano maker. She moved to Paris the 1840's, where she sought acceptance and notability. She aspired to hold soirees and fetes that all the most important people would attend and asked a Madame Lemercier and Colonel Thorn for assistance... Continue Reading →
It was exciting to discover this image of Napoleon and Eugenie and their attendants taken in 1860. Thanks to Henri de Fraville, I have this information about the photo: Photograph attributed to Adolphe BRAUN (1812-1877) and entitled “La Cour Impériale à Fontainebleau, June 24, 1860” published in the review “Le Point, artistic and literary review”... Continue Reading →
Below is a little insight into the protocol of the Hunt during the reign of Napoleon 111 and Empress Eugenie. Jane Thorn de Pierres is mentioned often for her riding prowess. That means she got to wear the formal hunt gear and buttons. It looks rather tight and restrictive to be riding sidesaddle in. When... Continue Reading →
In 1862, three years after her husband's death, Jane Mary Thorn presented a flag to the 71st Regiment to honour their service. The events of the day are recounted below. I have tried to find a picture of the flag, but no luck yet. The 71st were a regiment of the New York State Militia... Continue Reading →
Eugene Thorn was the youngest of the Colonel's sons and is the only one to survive him. It was wonderful to discover him in the portrait with the Colonel and his youngest daughters, Ida and Ellen. From what I can tell he was a graduate of Columbia University and a Captain in the Army. He... Continue Reading →
I discovered this delightful despcription of Alice, Ellen, and Ida Thorn being observed in their carriage as it tooled around Central Park. This was six years after the Colonel had died. Interesting to hear that Napoleon 111 was annoyed by the Colonel's flashy livery. French Landau Central Park 1865 The married daughters of the late... Continue Reading →
I discovered excerpts from an autobiography (1887- 97) by Gabriel Henry Manigault who says his uncle was the only one present at the marriage of Herman Thorn and Jane Mary Jauncey. Col Thorne had been in early life a paymaster in the Navy, and of obscure birth. He made a runaway marriage with the daughter of a... Continue Reading →
And still the infamy of the Masked Ball of 1840 continues! This is taken from a letter by writer and journalist by Delphine de Girardin. It's a fascinating perspective on Colonel Thorn's motivations for the extravagant entertaining he did. If the author is in any way correct, then it begs the question why? Why spend... Continue Reading →
It's unsurprising, with so much ostenatatious wealth, that the Thorn's were occasionally robbed over the years. I've found a few references to these incidents. One occasion was August 1839 when they were on holiday in Italy. They had been living in Paris for almost a decade at that time, and they travelled often. Colonel Thorn,... Continue Reading →
It was interesting to read the article below, as it puts the Thorn's back in New York in 1845, staying in New Rochelle, while they waited for Apthorp Manor to be made ready for their return. And it suddenly struck me how mobile the entire family was over the years. They were constantly on the... 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…