Charles Cresson Jones

Who was Mr Charles Cresson Jones?

Mr Charles Cresson Jones was a 46-year-old (forty-six-year-old) American estate manager and first-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic. Born on January 22, 1866, in Darby, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Jones was known for his expertise in farming and livestock management. He tragically lost his life in the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912, leaving behind a legacy as a dedicated professional and a victim of one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Early Life and Family

A Pennsylvania Upbringing

Charles Cresson Jones was born into a family with a strong professional background. His father, Stacy Jones, was a physician born in 1828, while his mother Martha, born in 1837, hailed from Pennsylvania. Charles grew up alongside two siblings:

Annie (born 1859), who later became a teacher and married W. D. Allen
Henry (born 1863), who followed in his father’s footsteps and became a doctor

The Jones family resided in Darby, Delaware, Pennsylvania, where Charles spent his formative years. Census records from 1870 and 1880 confirm the family’s continued presence in this area during Charles’s childhood and early adulthood.

Marriage and Career

A New Chapter in Massachusetts

Around 1890, Charles married Ida Amelia Garfield, born on December 3, 1867, in Tyringham, Berkshire, Massachusetts. Ida had a previous marriage to Hiram Oles in 1885, which ended in divorce after the tragic loss of their infant son. Charles and Ida’s union did not produce any children of their own.

From Farmer to Estate Manager

The 1900 census shows Charles and Ida living in Tyringham, where Charles was described as a farmer. However, their lives took a significant turn when they moved to Bennington, Vermont, as evidenced by the 1910 census. It was in Bennington that Charles’s career flourished, taking on the role of superintendent at the prestigious Fillmore Farms.

Fillmore Farms and the Colgate Connection

Charles worked as the superintendent of the 4000-acre Fillmore Farms, an estate owned by James C. Colgate (1860-1942). The Colgate family, famous for founding the toothpaste brand, entrusted Jones with the management of their vast agricultural holdings. This position highlighted Charles’s expertise in farm management and his ability to oversee large-scale agricultural operations.

The Fateful Journey

A Business Trip to England

In early April 1912, Jones embarked on a business trip to England with a specific purpose: to purchase sheep for the Fillmore Farms. His journey took him to Dorset, where he interacted with local farmers and attended livestock sales. On April 5, 1912, Jones was present at an estate sale of livestock in Puddletrenthide, Dorset, an event that would inadvertently connect him to another Titanic passenger.

Boarding the Titanic

For his return journey to the United States, Charles booked passage on the RMS Titanic, boarding at Southampton as a first-class passenger. His ticket, number 694, cost £26, a significant sum at the time, reflecting his status and the luxury afforded to first-class travelers on the ship.

Titanic Travel Details:

Class: First Class
Ticket Number: 694
Ticket Cost: £26
Point of Embarkation: Southampton

Companions on the Journey

While Jones traveled in first class, he was indirectly accompanying two second-class passengers:

Elizabeth Mellinger
Madeleine Mellinger (Elizabeth’s 13-year-old daughter)

These women were en route to work as housekeepers at the Colgate Estate in Bennington, highlighting the interconnected nature of the passengers’ stories.

Final Days and the Sinking

During the voyage, Jones made acquaintances with several fellow passengers, including:

Arthur Gee
Algernon Barkworth
Possibly Howard Case

Algernon Barkworth, who survived the sinking, later recounted his interactions with Jones, describing him as an “agreeable chap” who could imitate Dorset shepherds perfectly. This detail suggests that Jones may have spent considerable time in England previously, acquiring this unique skill.

The Night of the Sinking

On the fateful night of April 14-15, 1912, as the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, Jones’s actions were observed by Barkworth. In the chaos of the ship’s final moments, with all functional lifeboats launched, Barkworth last saw Charles Jones and Arthur Gee standing with their arms folded upon a railing, appearing to have accepted their fate.

Recovery and Aftermath

Body Recovery

Mr. Jones’s body was recovered by the Mackay Bennett, designated as body number 80. The detailed record of his recovered possessions provides a poignant glimpse into his final moments:

Body Description:

Male
Estimated age: 45
Light hair

Clothing:

Evening dress
Grey leather-lined overcoat
Black boots

Personal Effects:

Silver watch engraved with “C. C. J.”
Gold pencil
Three gold studs
Letters
Knife
Eyeglasses
American Express Co. cheque book
$19.00 in bills
Pocket book
13s. 4½d., and £2 5s 3d. in purse

Final Resting Place

Charles Cresson Jones was laid to rest at the Old Congregational Church Cemetery in Bennington, Vermont. His employer, Mr. Colgate, actively sought information about Jones’s fate, reaching out to Mr. Foot in England for any details.

Legacy and Remembrance

Charles Cresson Jones’s story is a testament to the diverse backgrounds of the Titanic’s passengers. As an estate manager traveling for business, he represents the intersection of agriculture, commerce, and tragedy that the Titanic disaster encompassed. His final moments, standing stoically on the ship’s deck, paint a picture of dignity in the face of inevitable fate.

The uncertainty surrounding the fate of his widow, Ida, who is believed to have passed away in the mid-1920s, adds a final note of poignancy to the tale of Charles Cresson Jones, a man whose