Elizabeth Mussey Eustis

Who was Miss Elizabeth Mussey Eustis?

Miss Elizabeth Mussey Eustis was an American first-class passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on March 1, 1858, in Boston, Massachusetts, she was 54 (fifty-four) years old at the time of the disaster. A spinster from a prominent Boston family, Elizabeth was known for her civic engagement and her resilience in the face of tragedy.

Early Life and Family

A Distinguished Boston Lineage

Elizabeth was born into a well-established Boston family. Her parents were:

Father: William Tracy Eustis (1822-1906)
Mother: Martha Gilbert Dutton (1829-1900)

Her father’s career was diverse and impressive:

Initially worked as a clerk in the millinery business
Became an “oil dealer” by the mid-1850s
Transitioned to note brokerage in the mid-1860s
Served as a Civil War Veteran
Entered the hotel business by the 1880s

Elizabeth’s maternal grandfather, Henry Worthington Dutton, was a Boston City councillor and founder of The Boston Evening Transcript, adding to the family’s local prominence.

Siblings and Family Life

Elizabeth was one of seven children:

Eleanor Tracy (1851-1922)
Henry Dutton (1854-1939)
Annie Dutton (1855-1856)
Martha (1860-1936)
Joseph Tracy (1864-1931)
Mary St. Barbe (1870-1954)
Elizabeth Mussey (1858-1936)

Throughout her life, Elizabeth maintained close ties with her family. Census records from 1860 to 1880 show her living with her family in Boston. By 1900, the family had moved to Brookline, Norfolk, Massachusetts.

What was Elizabeth Eustis’s life like before the Titanic?

Elizabeth never married and continued to live with her family well into adulthood. By 1912, she was residing at 1020 Beacon Street, Brookline. Her 1911 passport application provides a vivid description of her appearance:

Height: 5'3"
Face shape: Round
Chin: Full
Eyes: Grey
Hair: White

This description paints a picture of a distinguished woman in her mid-fifties, perhaps reflecting the grace and poise of her upbringing.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Embarking on a European Adventure

In early 1912, Elizabeth and her sister Martha Stephenson embarked on a tour of southern Europe. For their return journey to the United States, they booked passage on the RMS Titanic, boarding at Cherbourg, France.

Titanic Travel Details:

Class: First Class
Ticket Number: 36947
Ticket Cost: £78, 5s, 4d
Cabin: D-20

While aboard, the sisters reportedly spent time with Mr. and Mrs. John Borland Thayer, who were neighbors of Martha’s in Haverford.

The Night of the Disaster

On the night of April 14, 1912, Elizabeth and Martha’s lives changed forever. Their experience unfolded as follows:

Awakened by a “ripping” sound
Martha investigated, leading both to get fully dressed
Ignored a steward’s advice to return to bed
Grabbed their rings and went up on deck
Ordered from A-Deck to the boat deck with other women and children
Witnessed distress rockets being fired
Directed back to A-Deck by Steward Dodd
Helped into lifeboat 4, which was then lowered away

Elizabeth’s quick thinking and refusal to return to her cabin likely saved her life that night.

Life After the Titanic

Immediate Aftermath

Upon arriving in New York aboard the Carpathia, Elizabeth:

Was met by relatives
Spent time at the Belmont Hotel
Eventually returned to Brookline

Resilience and Continued Travel

Remarkably, Elizabeth’s harrowing experience on the Titanic did not deter her from future sea travel. In 1927, she embarked on another ocean voyage aboard the Berengaria with her sister Mary, demonstrating remarkable courage and resilience.

Later Life and Legacy

Elizabeth continued to live an active life:

Resided with her sister Mary and brother Henry in Brookline
Remained unmarried
Was reportedly very active in civic life

Her continued engagement with her community speaks to her strength of character and dedication to public service.

How is Elizabeth Eustis remembered?

Elizabeth Mussey Eustis passed away on May 17, 1936, at the age of 78 (seventy-eight). She was laid to rest in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Massachusetts, alongside her parents and several siblings.

Elizabeth’s story serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Despite facing one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history, she continued to live a full and engaged life, contributing to her community and maintaining her passion for travel. Her experience on the Titanic, while undoubtedly traumatic, became just one chapter in a long and rich life story.

As we remember Elizabeth Mussey Eustis, we are reminded of the many untold stories of Titanic survivors who carried their experiences with them, shaping their lives and the lives of those around them in ways both seen and unseen.