Elizabeth Bonnell

Who was Miss Elizabeth Bonnell?

Miss Elizabeth Bonnell was a 61 (sixty-one) year-old English first-class passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on July 29, 1850, in Bradford, Yorkshire, she was a well-traveled, musically inclined spinster known for her involvement in various charitable organizations and social clubs. Elizabeth, affectionately called Lily, embarked on the Titanic’s maiden voyage with plans to visit family in Ohio, ultimately becoming one of the fortunate survivors of the tragic maritime disaster.

Early Life and Family

A Yorkshire Upbringing

Elizabeth Bonnell was born into a middle-class family in Bradford, Yorkshire. Her father, John Fearnley Bonnell (1819-1876), was a master saddler with several employees, while her mother, Alice Elizabeth Duffill (1826-1896), hailed from London. The couple married on January 17, 1848, in Bradford, and Elizabeth was one of seven children:

John Meek Bonnell (1848-1884)
Jane Ellen (1852-1915)
Alice (b. 1853)
Henry (b. 1855)
Mary (1857-1942)
William Fearnley (b. 1862)

Childhood Homes and Family Moves

Elizabeth’s early years were marked by several relocations within Bradford:

1851: 18 Bridge Street, Bradford
1861: 13 Edmund Street, Horton, Bradford
1871: 16 Ashgrove, Bradford

Following her father’s death on December 1, 1876, the family’s circumstances changed. By 1881, Elizabeth was not living with her mother and sister Jane, who remained at 16 Ashgrove. Instead, she was listed as a visitor at an address in Wavertree, Lancashire. The family eventually moved to Lancashire, where Elizabeth’s mother passed away on February 27, 1896.

Adult Life and Interests

A Life of Spinsterhood and Service

Elizabeth never married and continued to live with her unmarried sisters, Jane and Mary. By 1901, they had settled at 17 Welbeck Road, Birkdale, Southport, Lancashire, where Elizabeth would reside for the rest of her life.

Elizabeth was an active member of her community, involved in various organizations:

Prominent member of the South and East Branch of the Women’s Unionist League
Member of the General Council
Committee member of the Mary Willett Day Nursery
Member of St. James’ Church, Birkdale
Participated in several local charities

Musical Pursuits

Well-known in local musical circles, Elizabeth was part of a chorus that performed Elgar’s “Kingdom” at Chapel Street Congregational Church just weeks before boarding the Titanic.

The Titanic Journey

Embarking on a Fateful Voyage

On April 10, 1912, Elizabeth boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a first-class passenger. Her ticket (number 113783) cost £26, 11s, a considerable sum at the time. She occupied cabin C103 and was traveling with:

Her niece, Caroline Bonnell
George Dennick Wick
Mary Wick
Mary Natalie Wick

The group had completed a vacation in Europe and was headed to Youngstown, Ohio, where Elizabeth planned to visit her brother, William Fearnley Bonnell.

The Night of the Disaster

When the Titanic struck the iceberg, Caroline Bonnell found Elizabeth in her stateroom and brought her to A deck as instructed. The Bonnells and Wicks then moved to the boat deck, where they were placed in lifeboat 8. Elizabeth, along with the other ladies in her party, was safely evacuated from the sinking ship.

Life After the Titanic

Immediate Aftermath

After being rescued by the Carpathia, the Bonnells stayed at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. Elizabeth later filed a claim of $1,500 for loss of property against the White Star Line.

Return to England and Continued Travels

Elizabeth returned to her home at 17 Welbeck Road in Birkdale, where she lived for the remainder of her life. Despite her advancing age, she continued to travel:

May 24, 1930: Departed Southampton for New York aboard the Laconia
August 1, 1930: Arrived in Liverpool from Bombay, India, aboard the Franconia

Legacy and Final Years

Elizabeth Bonnell passed away on February 20, 1936, at the age of 85 (eighty-five). She was laid to rest in Birkdale Cemetery, Sefton, Merseyside (Section D, Plot 632), alongside her sisters Jane Ellen and Mary.

Elizabeth’s life story serves as a testament to the resilience and adventurous spirit of many Edwardian-era women. Her survival of the Titanic disaster, coupled with her continued travels and community involvement well into her eighties, paints a picture of a remarkable woman who lived life to the fullest, even in the face of tragedy.