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Message |
    
Shelley Dziedzic
Moderator
Username: shelley
Post Number: 1313
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 8:48 pm: | 
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With the blizzard raging there's nothing to do but go through old scrapbooks. The menu and photos are from a THS convention in Wilmington in 1987. I was thrilled to find Holly Silverthorne, Spencer's daughter-in-law was my room mate. She was such a cheerful lady - in her plaid scottish tam o' shanter. She was late to the banquet that night but Don Lynch graciously gave up his seat at the head table and she could talk of nothing else as we chattered later that night back in our room. She sat right next to Dr. Ballard and Walter Lord which was the thrill of a lifetime for her. The lady to the right is Karl Behr's daughter Sally Pettit- such a sweet lady who sadly passed away in 1995. Her husband Sam signed the menu too- they both lived in Wilmington Delaware so it was convenient for them to attend. Such a stellar Titanic assemblage I never saw before at one table. Those were good old days.
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Shelley Dziedzic
Moderator
Username: shelley
Post Number: 1314
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 8:59 pm: |
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Spencer Silverthorne was such a distinguished-looking gentleman- sorry the photo scanned a bit dark.
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Darren Honeycutt
Member
Username: darrenscott
Post Number: 257
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 11:42 pm: |
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These are the kind of stories and photographs that I love to see. Thanks for sharing this with us Shelley. |
Ben Holme
Member
Username: benedict
Post Number: 493
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 12:07 am: |
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Hi Shelley,
Many thanks for sharing - fascinating info! Spencer's present day decendants, with whom I had a brief correspondance, were most kind and helpful in providing information on the family. Walter Lord was at college with S.V. Silverthorne Jr. and was a family friend.
Great photograph. I have never seen one of him in later years. Any idea when this one was taken?
Best Regards,
Ben |
Shelley Dziedzic
Moderator
Username: shelley
Post Number: 1320
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 5:49 pm: |
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Ben- it was only about 10 years after the disaster- so I would say 1921 or 22. |
Dr. Douglas B. Willingham
Member
Username: dbw
Post Number: 81
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 3:18 am: |
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Dear Shelley,
Spencer Silvertorne's niece-in-law, Elizabeth Silverthorne, lives in Salado, Texas, and is my neighbor and good friend. She remembers Mr. Silverthorne more as a father-in-law, as he raised her husband. She is a well-respected author of such books as, Christmas in Texas, Plantation Life in Texas, Ashbel Smith and an important biography of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, among other works.
Elizabeth is such an interesting person, and she and her daughter have taken a new interest in Spencer's Titanic story because, apart from the ongoing mania, I keep bugging her about it!
Best regards,
Doug Willingham |
Darren Honeycutt
Member
Username: darrenscott
Post Number: 260
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 4:00 am: |
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Doug, Elizabeth does sound like a very interesting person. I love Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. I have been to Cross Creek a couple of times and there is no place in Florida that has such a peaceful, laid back atmosphere than Cross Creek. Marjorie is buried near Cross Creek at a cemetary that is down a dirt road. Her epitaph says it clearly "Through her writings she endeared herself to the world". What a great way to be remembered.
Does Elizabeth have many photos of the Silverthornes? I would certainly ask my share of questions if I was nearby. |
Shelley Dziedzic
Moderator
Username: shelley
Post Number: 1326
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 3:05 pm: |
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You are lucky indeed Doug to know her! It is always a wonderful experience to keep the memories of survivors alive by sharing photos and stories with their family, and also with others who may not have the chance to meet them . It is a positive and enriching way to keep the story alive for future generations, and honors the memory of those who have passed on, which I believe is the best goal for any historian. |
Dr. Douglas B. Willingham
Member
Username: dbw
Post Number: 83
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 5:43 pm: |
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Darren and Shelley,
Elizabeth recalls seeing Spencer's scrapbooks, at least one of which was items related to the "Titanic", and always wondered what became of them. Elizabeth's husband was a physician, and they lived in Texas for most of their married life before he died some years ago. Elizabeth herself was raised in Texas. Her uncle by marriage, Spencer Silverthorne, lived in Scarsdale and New York City and lived to be in his 90s. Elizabeth remembers that when he slipped and fell on an icy sidewalk in Manhattan somewhere that a picture capturing the event appeared in the New York Times--perhaps in part because of his age. Otherwise, Elizabeth has expressed regret that she wasn't around him all that much and to her knowledge many of his memories, along with the scrapbooks, are lost to us.
I suggested to her that his "Titanic" things probably went to Walter Lord, whom he met during Lord's research. Some items, such as the First Class dinner menu for April 14th, signed by Silverthorne and the other buyers at his table that night, appear in the illustrated edition of ANTR with the photo credit "author's collection", so that supports my theory. |
Randy Bryan Bigham
Member
Username: rbigham
Post Number: 1308
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 6:32 pm: |
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Hi Doug,
I recall your mentioning your theory about the Silverthorne memorabilia. I think you may be right. I suspect that once the Greenwich museum inventories the late Walter Lord's collection, many gems will be revealed. I think it's likely that Edith Russell's papers are there and recently I've come to believe that Renee Harris' memoirs (or notes for such) may be among Lord's fine archival stash.
When a Salado get-together materializes, which it must this summer at least, I sure hope Elizabeth Silverthorne will be your special guest of honor. I am looking forward to meeting her.
Randy |
Dr. Douglas B. Willingham
Member
Username: dbw
Post Number: 84
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 9:17 pm: |
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Hey, Randy!
Yes, Elizabeth and possibly her daughter, too, who lives in Dallas, will be special guests at a Salado meeting this summer. It will be fun for people to bring their collections, as John Hemmert first suggested, and possibly invite the public.
Regards,
Doug |
Arne Mjåland
Member
Username: arne
Post Number: 121
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 2:46 pm: |
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I got sent the picture of Spencer Silverthorne house i Scarsdale N.Y. in 2001 from the owner that year. It is a huge, well kept building.
The owner wrote:"I knew Mr Silverthorne had been a survivor of the Titanic. About fifteen years ago I met a man named Silverthorne . I mentioned the former owner of the house. The young man I met said there was a book written about the Silverthorne and mention of a Titanic survivor.
Has anybody read this book? |
Randy Bryan Bigham
Member
Username: rbigham
Post Number: 222
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 6:00 pm: |
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Arne,
I don't know about a book on Silverthorne but one of his descendents is an author and lives here in Texas. She is in fact a friend and neighbor of Dr. Douglas Willingham, a member of ET.
You might want to check Doug's profile for his e-mail address and contact him. He should know more.
Randy |
Dr. Douglas B. Willingham
Member
Username: dbw
Post Number: 109
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 11:47 pm: |
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Dear Arne,
I have never heard of a book exclusively about Spencer Silverthorne, and my friend, his niece, Elizabeth Silverthorne, would surely have mentioned it to me in the course of our many conversations if she knew of such a book.
Keep us posted!
Warm regards,
Doug
willingham@vvm.com
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Dr. Douglas B. Willingham
Member
Username: dbw
Post Number: 117
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 3:05 pm: |
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Dear Arne,
I just received your note with the photo of the home in Scarsdale once owned by Spencer Silverthorne, along with the letter from its current owners. It was very thoughtful of you to send it, Arne, and I look forward to sharing it with the Salado Silverthornes.
Folks, I apologize for not being able to post this photo. I'll get some help ASAP. In the meantime, it's a large, beautiful house in the Shingle Style, with Craftsman details, and very well maintained.
Darren and Ben, if you'll send me your mailing addresses, I will send you color copies of this photograph. Better yet, plan to be in Salado, Texas, on the weekend of Oct. 17-19, for the Second Annual "Titanic Texas Weekend". Elizabeth Silverthorne and her daughter, Carol, will be there and I would like to introduce you to them. Watch for more information on the "Let's Meet" department, which I'll post in July.
Best regards,
Doug |
Sharon Merren-Thompson
Member
Username: sharon
Post Number: 1
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 7:41 pm: |
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Spencer Silverthorne was my Great Uncle. |
Darren Honeycutt
Member
Username: darrenscott
Post Number: 421
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 - 5:09 pm: |
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Doug, are you still posting? I want to ask you something. |
Dr. Douglas B. Willingham
Member
Username: dbw
Post Number: 186
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 - 8:50 pm: |
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Hi, Darren! Delighted to hear from you. I've been busy and distracted for some time with family matters, so I haven't posted in awhile. What did you want to ask? |
Michael H. Standart
Moderator
Username: mstandart
Post Number: 11877
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 - 4:30 am: |
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You've been missed, Doug. Hope we get to see more of you around here!
Cordially,
Michael H. Standart
Equal Opportunity Curmudgeon
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Dr. Douglas B. Willingham
Member
Username: dbw
Post Number: 187
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 - 6:57 pm: |
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Thank you, Michael! Once I get my girl off to college and some other things settled, I'll look forward to renewed participation on the board. |
Darren Honeycutt
Member
Username: darrenscott
Post Number: 422
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 5, 2005 - 2:01 am: |
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Hi Doug, I haven't been able to post as much as I would like to myself. For some reason, I missed reading one of your earlier posts dated in June 2003 and you say you could send a photo of the Silverthorne home. Can you still send me a copy? I sure would appreciate it. |
Dr. Douglas B. Willingham
Member
Username: dbw
Post Number: 189
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 5, 2005 - 10:16 am: |
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Yes, Darren. I think I can lay my hands on it and send you a color laser copy. Send your address to me at willingham@vvm.com (that's v v m) |
Shelley Dziedzic
Moderator
Username: shelley
Post Number: 2531
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 22, 2005 - 5:17 am: |
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Coming back from convention I stopped by at Hartsdale, N.Y. to see Mr. Silverthorne and Renee Harris' crypts at Ferncliff Cemetery. Ferncliff is an amazing place with many mausolea and acres of shrines and gardens. Mr. Silverthorne is located in the beautiful Deco-esque main mausoleum, on the first floor just up a few aisles on the right from the chapel, in a private alcove, near Jerome Kern. There are magnificent windows by Tiffany, and miles of colored marble walls and floors and continuously piped-in classical music. There is a bronze gate which opens upon his alcove enclosure and a banquette to sit upon while visiting. 
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Darren Honeycutt
Member
Username: darrenscott
Post Number: 427
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 5:08 pm: |
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Shelley, as always your photos are very interesting. Thanks for posting them. |
John Silverthorn
Member
Username: john_s
Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 5:00 pm: |
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Distant relatives (English) living in the County of Devon,England,would like to contact any descendants of Spencer with a view to discussing family tree.
[Moderator's Note: This message, originally a separate thread, has been moved to this pre-existing thread addressing the same passenger. MAB] |
John Silverthorn
Member
Username: john_s
Post Number: 2
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, February 2, 2008 - 11:35 am: |
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As a distant relative of the late Spencer V Silverthorn living in Devon, U.K., I am compiling a family history and would appreciate hearing more about Spencer and his family. To date I am able to trace direct descendants back to 1783. John Silverthorn. |
Brian Ahern
Member
Username: brian_ahern
Post Number: 568
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, February 2, 2008 - 4:53 pm: |
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John, I'm sure you know this, but in case you don't - the maiden name of the notorious Alice de Janze was Silverthorne. The movie White Mischief, in which she was portrayed, was mentioned earlier this week on a thread about the Carters. There is a lot of info about her on the web, and another good source is the online archive at www.nytimes.com. It's free for the years before WWI, so you can easily access the coverage of her various marital travails and the legal troubles (can't remember if she actually stood trial) that followed her shooting her lover, Raymond de Trafford, whom she later married. |
Sidney Maxted
Member
Username: silberdornig
Post Number: 1
Registered: 3-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, March 6, 2008 - 12:11 pm: |
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Hi John Silverthorn do have any trace of the antecedents of Daniel Silverthorne going back to the 1850.He was the father of Spencer Victor Silverthorne,Titanic survivor.I am working on the family history,my full name is Sidney WILLIAM SILVERTHORNE Maxted located in ESSEX ENGLAND.Regards. |
John Silverthorn
Member
Username: john_s
Post Number: 3
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, March 16, 2008 - 11:43 am: |
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THOMAS SILVERTHORN married Rose ????
children
CHARLES SILVERTHORN bapt 13/6/1783 @ Brewham; died 4/12/1867
Ann bapt 12/1/1778 @ Brewham
CHARLES married Jane (Jean) Warren @ Brewham and had eight children, one of which was
ELIJAH SILVERTHORN (6/12/1810)who married Anna Sanford. They had ?7 children including
DANIEL SILVERTHORN (Spencer's father) 6/6/1839 - 12/4/1928
Another of Elijah's sons was Jehu (John) who was my grandfather. |
