I've been reading a biography about Peg Woffington, an Irish actress and celebrity of the stage from the 1700's. The biography was written by Janet Camden Lucey, and in it I found the passage below. It resonanted deeply with all that I have uncovered about the Thorn's, and captures the essence of their lives. I... Continue Reading →
I have found a few memories of what Colonel Thorn's final home in Manhattan was like, but this is a particularly informative and poignant recount. I didn't realise that he lost all of his French furniture in a fire. How devestating, to a man who was an aesthete. It was also great to garner a... Continue Reading →
Below is a second reference to Franz Liszt playing at Colonel Thorn's and the reason behind it - the troupe of starving German musicians. You can read an entire academic paper about this story on academia.edu. For civilization, for colonization, the cross is better than the sword. Paris, which at this moment is almost depopulated of its beautiful... Continue Reading →
I discovered something ultra cool today! Eugene Thorn, the youngest of the Thorn sons, and the only one to survive Herman, composed a polka for his love (and later wife) Mary Hyslop in 1851. I currently have a friend recording it for me and I will upload the file so you can hear it. I... Continue Reading →
I absolutely LOVE it when I come across these little mentions. Every tiny detail helps to paints a more vivid picture of their lives and times... So, it seems that Herman Thorn imported oysters from the very famous Oyster King in New York, Thomas Downing. Thomas was an admirable, hard working entrepreneur and abolitionist who... Continue Reading →
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 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 →
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 →
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…