Balls were the mainstay of the Regency and Victorian eras, and the Thorn's enjoyed these extravagant affairs more than most. In previous posts I have devoted some time to the Colonel's most exceptional ball in 1840. Below are some other mentions of Thorn events. I have enjoyed re-reading the ball extracts after reading Jane's letters... Continue Reading →
I had heard through family lore that Stephane Henri de Pierres, son of Jane and Etienne (my great grandfather) was in a duel. But thanks to Philippe, I have some evidence of it. Here is a newspaper clipping from Le Petit Caporal in 1879. Dueling was technically outlawed by Louis XIII in 1626 and later by Louis XIV,... Continue Reading →
Unfortunately, I have misplaced the reference link for this one, but I'm pretty sure it came from Gallica. It's alway amusing to read observations about the Colonel's motivations and behaviours! : Colonel Hermann Thorn died in New York on Sunday, July 31 , at the age of 78 , after a long and painful illness. He leaves a considerable fortune to a large family. One... Continue Reading →
Here is some more commentary on Baron de Pierres' (husband of Jane Mary Thorn) involvement in breeding and racing horses in France. He clearly had a passion for French thoroughbreds. And how sweet that a horse (Pantalon) brought him and his wife together. It's also interesting to see that he reputedly and famously rode Pantalon... Continue Reading →
I was fascinated to come across a list of who was living on the Rue de Varenne during the time that the Thorns inhabited the Hotel Matignon. Interestingly, this record has them living at no. 23 not no. 57. This may have something to do with the street numbers changing over time (see below). I'm... Continue Reading →
In this letter to George Perkins March (considered to be America's first environmentalist), GPA Healy mentions how he has just finished the Thorn portrait. *Dubourjal is a French artist of the time. Paris March 27 1854. 16. Place Vendôme Page 1My dear Marsh, I have been greatly disappointed in not being able to make my... Continue Reading →
My dear sister, Nicole, is the keeper of family history, and the best French scholar among the Australian branch of the de Pierres. She stumbled on this in some family papers recently. For me it was the equivalent of striking gold!! Interestingly it is written in English, though I am yet to decipher the contents.... 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 →
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 →
There are records of Colonel Thorn and family visiting the Dieppe baths on June 15th, 1831; July or August 1842; and then again in 1844, which suggests they might have gone there for an annual summer holiday while they lived in France. The baths were a popular holiday destination in Northern France and seemed to... 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…