Thanks to a fellow researcher, Philippe Grelat, I was alerted to the fact that there is an etching of Jane and Etienne out riding with Empress Eugenie and her son. If you read the caption below, it mentions their names. (Le Monde Illustré issue number 362 of March 19, 1864)
From time to time, I check eBay and various online sellers for any letters or art related to the Thorn family and their history. Today, I was able to purchase a letter to Jane Thorn congratulating her on her engagement to Baron de Pierres (coming soon!). But I also noticed this sketch and thought how... Continue Reading →
In the Salon of 1853 both Disderi and Gayrard displayed works. For Gayrard it was the bronze statue of The Lady on Horseback (Jane Thorn de Pierres). Whereas Disderi was exhibiting his portait photography. This year the famous exhibition was moved to northern Paris, and not everyone was happy with this. There were 1,768 works... 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 →
I found it interesting to see that Antoine Raymond Camille de Varaigne, husband of Mary Thorn, became a favourite of Napoleon 111, considering his rather rocky start eloping with her. Colonel Thorn initially forbade them from marrying, but eventually relented, and de Varaigne became the Emperor's chamberlain. In 1860, he was promoted to Prefect de... Continue Reading →
In a series of letters that I found for sale or sold on Le Manuscrit Francais, we are able to get more insight into the lives of Jane Thorne, and her daughter Jeanne Marie. I have reproduced the details from the website. But if you visit it directly you can also find this information. Laurent... Continue Reading →
I am so grateful to a fellow history lover for this new photo of Jane Mary Thorne (de Pierres). Laurent from Le Manuscrit Francais has come into possession of many papers and letters pertaining to the de Pierres family. Some of these are letters between the Empress Eugenie and Jane Thorne, others are from Louis... Continue Reading →
Oh to be able to afford all of these! Found them on Le Manuscrit Francais. It seems that Eugenie and Jane were close, and that Jane a had a great affection for young Louis Napoleon as well. The last two letters are to Jane's daughter Jeanne Marie, and appears to mention a romance of some... Continue Reading →
I'm delighted to share with you all these large portrait photos of Jane Mary Thorn de Pierres and Etienne de Pierres. Not sure what year they are taken, but I would think they are in their 30's? It's interesting to see Jane's different hairstyles, and Etienne in full diplomat regalia. Jane Thorn de Pierres Etienne... 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 →
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…