Marianne de Pierres
It’s the last day of 2018. I’m thinking a lot about my ancestors as I plan to write the biography of Colonel Thorn during 2019. It’s a tale of lost fortunes, artistic audacity, passion, betrayal, tragedy, family jealousies, runaway brides, the court of Louis Philippe, and New York society. It will be my magnum opus. Here’s a snippet of my research about Thorn’s daughter, Jane, who married Etienne de Pierres:
Jane (Thorn) de Pierres is bottom left in a white dress with blue ribbon.
A hundred years later in Australia, circumstances were vastly different. Jane and Etienne’s descendants were pioneers in a harsh country. I feel deeply humbled when I think about how hard my grandparents life was, and how hard they worked to leave a legacy to their children.
I’ve always been a futurist, but there is something very grounding, very important in knowing what came before – the path that was paved for you (me) and how you honour those memories. I try never to take it for granted.
So, today I honour my parents and grandparents: my dad and grandfather in the Stockman’s Hall of Fame, and my mum in the Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame. Thank you for everything.
