Eliza Johnston

Who was Mrs Eliza Johnston?

Mrs Eliza Johnston was a Scottish passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born as Elizabeth Watson in 1876 on the Isle of Skye, she was a 36 (thirty-six) year-old married woman traveling with her family in third class when the ship sank on April 15, 1912. Eliza’s journey on the Titanic was part of a larger family migration to America, tragically cut short by one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

Early Life and Family Background

A Scottish Island Upbringing

Eliza Johnston was born into a large family on the Isle of Skye, part of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides. Her parents were:

• Father: William Watson (born 1827), a shepherd
• Mother: Margaret “Peggy” Ross (born 1832)

The Watsons had a remarkable 13 children, with Eliza being the youngest:

1. Andrew (born 1853)
2. Christina (born 1855)
3. James (born 1857)
4. Margaret Ann (born 1858)
5. Catherine (born 1859)
6. Dolina (born 1861)
7. William (born 1864)
8. Thomas Neil (born 1866)
9. Catherine (born 1868)
10. Neil (born 1869)
11. Robert (born 1871)
12. Robert (born 1873)
13. Elizabeth (born 1876)

Childhood and Early Adulthood

Eliza’s early years were spent in the rural setting of Skye. The 1881 census records her living at Gruile 2, Bracadale. By 1891, her father had passed away, and the family home was managed by her brother Neil, a postman. Interestingly, Eliza’s whereabouts during this time are unknown, as she was not present at the family home.

Career and Marriage

From Domestic Service to Married Life

By 1901, Eliza had moved to the bustling city of Glasgow. The census of that year shows her working as a domestic table maid for a wealthy industrial family, residing at 52 Aytoun Road in Govan.

On December 24, 1902, Eliza’s life took a new turn when she married Andrew Emslie Johnston, a plumber from Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The wedding took place at the United Free Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Glasgow.

Family Life in England

Following their marriage, the Johnstons settled in Croydon, Surrey, England. They had two children:

1. William Andrew (born 1903)
2. Catherine Nellie (born 1905)

The 1911 census places the family at 21 Luna Road, Thornton Heath, Croydon, where they lived a seemingly quiet life before their fateful decision to emigrate.

The Titanic Journey

What led the Johnstons to board the Titanic?

The decision to sail on the Titanic was influenced by family connections and the promise of a better life in America. Eliza’s elder sister, Margaret Ann Ford, lived in Sussex, England, and her daughter Frances was already working as a domestic servant in the United States. Impressed by Frances’ tales of opportunity, both the Johnston and Ford families decided to emigrate.

A Series of Delays

The Johnstons’ journey to America faced several setbacks:

1. Originally planned for October 1911
2. Postponed to wait for the Ford family
3. Initially booked passage on the Philadelphia
4. Further delayed due to a coal strike
5. Finally boarded the Titanic as a last resort

Titanic Ticket Details

• Ticket Number: W./C. 6607
• Class: 3rd Class
• Cost: £23, 9s (23 pounds, 9 shillings)
• Embarkation Point: Southampton

The Tragic Outcome

Sadly, Eliza Johnston, along with her husband, children, and the entire party of ten they were traveling with, perished in the sinking of the Titanic. Their bodies, if recovered, were never identified, leaving a poignant end to their hopeful journey for a new life.

Legacy

While Eliza Johnston’s life was cut tragically short, her story serves as a reminder of the diverse backgrounds of Titanic’s passengers. From her humble beginnings on the Isle of Skye to her final journey on the world’s most famous ocean liner, Eliza’s tale encapsulates the dreams and aspirations of many third-class passengers seeking new opportunities across the Atlantic.