Charlotte Stoker
Stoker was born in 1818 in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Ireland. Stoker's father was Thomas Thornley who was a captain in the 43rd Light Infantry of the British Army. Thornley later joined the Royal Irish Constabulary. Thornley's family came from England and moved to Ballyshannon in the 1780s.  Stoker's mother was Matilda Blake. The Blake family had a long history in Galway with Richard Blake (Caddell) being Sheriff of Connaught from 1305 and others being mayors of Galway.