The death of Edward L. THORNE was announced at an early hour yesterday morning. In losing him, Saint John becomes deprived of a citizen. Up to the time of his recent illness, Mr. Thorne was chief appraiser in the Customs Dept. Previuosly, he transacted business for Messrs. Wm Parks & Son and had been a partner with W.T.P. LEE. The 'Globe' states the following facts: The deceased was a descendant of the Loyalists. His grandfather, who was in New York at the time of the trouble espouced the cause of the King and moved to Nova Scotia taking with him his family and dwelling house. E.L. Thorne was born at Granville in 1807. He came to Saint John in 1824 and for several years was in the employment of Richard SANDS & Co., general merchants. In 1830 he began business for himself on Water Street and took into partnership shortly afterwards, James KEATOR. The firm moved to the old place on Prince William Street when Sands & Co. did business and in 1837 were burnt out. They resumed business and in 1841 were again burnt out. Mr. Keator severed his connection with the firm and Mr. Thorne gain erected a building on the site now occupied by Barnes & Co.