Who Was Miss Ann Eliza Isham?

Miss Ann Eliza Isham was a 50 (fifty) year-old American first-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on January 25, 1862, in Chicago, Illinois, she was one of the few first-class female passengers who perished in the tragic sinking on April 15, 1912. Ann Eliza was known for her social connections, her time spent living abroad, and her tragic fate on the Titanic’s maiden voyage.

Early Life and Family

Ann Eliza Isham was born into a prominent Chicago family. Her parents were Edward Swift Isham and Frances Burch. Ann was the eldest of four siblings:

• Ann Eliza Isham
• Pierrepont Isham
• Edward Swift Isham
• Frances Isham

Her father, Edward Swift Isham, was a notable figure in the legal world. He established the law firm Isham, Lincoln & Beale in Chicago, partnering with Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of former US President Abraham Lincoln. This connection highlights the social standing of the Isham family in Chicago’s elite circles.

Education and Social Life

While specific details about Ann’s education are not provided, her social activities give us insight into her life and interests:

• Member of the Friday Club in Chicago
• Member of the Scribbler’s Club in Chicago

These affiliations suggest that Ann was likely well-educated and engaged in intellectual and social pursuits common among upper-class women of her time.

Life Abroad

By 1912, Ann had been living abroad for nine years, primarily residing in Paris with her sister Frances, who was married to Harry Shelton. This extended stay in Europe indicates that Ann was likely fluent in French and well-versed in European culture.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Why was Ann Eliza Isham on the Titanic?

Ann boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg on April 10, 1912, with the intention of spending the summer with her brother Edward in New York City. Her travel details were as follows:

• Ticket Number: 17595
• Cabin: C49
• Ticket Price: £28 14s 3d (equivalent to about £3,500 in 2021)

Interestingly, her cabin (C-49) was adjacent to that of Colonel Archibald Gracie, another notable Titanic passenger. However, Colonel Gracie later reported that he did not recall ever seeing her during the voyage.

Connections on Board

It’s likely that Ann knew the Ryerson family aboard the Titanic. Arthur Ryerson was a partner in her father’s law firm, illustrating the interconnected nature of the first-class passengers on the ship.

The Tragic Sinking

Ann Eliza Isham was one of only four first-class women who did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. This fact is particularly poignant given that women and children were generally given priority in accessing the lifeboats.

“Ann was one of four first class women who died in the disaster, her body, if recovered, was never identified.”

The circumstances of her death remain unknown, and her body was never identified if it was recovered at all.

Legacy and Remembrance

After Ann’s death, she left behind her siblings and a cousin, Mrs. H. H. Porter, Jr., of Chicago. To honor her memory, Ann’s family erected a memorial in Vermont.

The story of Ann Eliza Isham serves as a reminder that the Titanic disaster affected individuals from all walks of life, including those from prominent and wealthy backgrounds. Her tale is one of many that illustrates the indiscriminate nature of the tragedy that unfolded on that fateful night in April 1912.

As we remember Ann Eliza Isham, we are reminded of the importance of preserving the stories of all those affected by historical events, ensuring that their lives and experiences are not forgotten with the passage of time.