Stephen Thorn

Stephen Thorn
Member of the New York Senate
from the 2nd district
In office
1823–1825
Preceded byDistrict created
Succeeded byPeter R. Livingston
Member of the New York Senate
from the Eastern district
In office
1804–1808
Preceded byMulti-member district
Succeeded byDistrict reorganized
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the Dutchess County district
In office
1819–1819
Preceded byMulti-member district
Succeeded byMulti-member district
Personal details
Bornc. 1771
Diedafter 1825
PartyPeople's Party
OccupationMerchant, politician

Stephen Thorn (c. 1771 – after 1825) was an American merchant and politician from New York. He served in the New York State Senate from 1804 to 1808, representing the Eastern District, and later from 1823 to 1825, representing the 2nd District. He also served in the New York State Assembly in 1819.

Early life and business career

Stephen Thorn was born about 1771.[1] He was a merchant-trader in Granville, Washington County, New York, during the early 1790s.[1] An ardent republican, Thorn in 1794–96 solicited support among officials in France for a plan to retake Canada and encouraged a French attack on Quebec from Vermont.[1] He chartered the Olive Branch to carry arms to America for the effort, but it encountered a British naval vessel and was forced to turn back. Thorn eventually abandoned his plans.[1]

In December 1796, he went to London to help Thomas Paine with a reprint of an open letter to George Washington.[1]

Political career

Upon his return to New York, Thorn was an officer in the county and state militia.[1] He subsequently served in the New York State Senate, representing the Eastern District from 1804 to 1808.[1]

In April 1808, Thorn wrote to James Madison from the Senate Chamber regarding a constituent's patent application.[2]

In 1819, Thorn was elected to the New York State Assembly from Dutchess County.[3]

In 1822, Thorn was elected to the State Senate from the newly created 2nd District under the Constitution of 1821.[4] He served in the 46th (1823), 47th (1824), and 48th (1825) sessions.[4] He was listed as a member of the People's Party. His term ended in 1825, and he was succeeded by Peter R. Livingston.

Personal life and death

Thorn died after 1825.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "To Thomas Jefferson from Stephen Thorn, 27 December 1800". Founders Online. National Archives. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  2. ↑ "To James Madison from Stephen Thorn, 11 April 1808". Rotunda. University of Virginia Press. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  3. ↑ "New York 1819 Assembly, Dutchess County". A New Nation Votes. Tufts University. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Hough, Franklin Benjamin, ed. (1858). The New York Civil List (PDF). p. 125.