Ellen Mary Toomey

Who was Miss Ellen Mary Toomey?

Miss Ellen Mary Toomey was an Irish-born servant and Titanic survivor who lived much of her life in Indianapolis, Indiana. Born on February 2, 1862, in Kilcornan, County Limerick, Ireland, she embarked on a journey that would lead her to become a witness to one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

Early Life and Family

Ellen Mary Toomey was born into a farming family in rural Ireland. Her parents were:

John Toomey (born circa 1839)
Mary Brandon (born circa 1835)

Ellen was one of five known siblings:

Mary Ann (born 1859, later Mrs. Patrick Joseph Kelly)
Catherine (1860-1937, later Mrs. Michael Delaney)
Bridget (1869-1922, later Mrs. William Hanney)
Patrick (born 1870)

Family Tragedy and Relocation

In 1896, Ellen’s father passed away, leaving her mother a widow. By 1911, her mother was living with Ellen’s brother Patrick and his family at 3 Cowpark in Kilcornan, Co Limerick, as recorded in the census of that year.

Life in America

When did Ellen Toomey move to the United States?

The exact date of Ellen’s first migration to the United States is unclear. However, by 1910, she had established herself in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she worked as a maid servant.

Ellen’s Life in Indianapolis

In the 1910 census, Ellen was recorded as living at 1218 North Pennsylvania Street in Indianapolis. Her employer was Dr. Orange G. Pfaff, a surgeon, and Ellen served as an unmarried Irish maid servant to his family.

Ellen wasn’t alone in Indianapolis. Two of her sisters had also made the journey to America:

Catherine Delaney (living at 434 West Morris Street in 1912)
Bridget Hanney (residing at 911 Bates Street in 1912)

The Fateful Journey

Why was Ellen Toomey on the Titanic?

In November 1911, Ellen returned to Ireland aboard the Baltic, traveling in third class. After visiting her family in Limerick, she journeyed to Barking, Essex, in Britain, where her sister Mary Ann Kelly and her family lived. It was from London that Ellen sent a postcard to her sisters in Indianapolis, informing them of her intention to return home aboard the Titanic.

Ellen’s Titanic Experience

Ellen boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a second-class passenger. Her ticket (number 13531) cost £10 10s. During the voyage, she shared a cabin with:

Mrs. Bessie Watt
Bertha Watt (Mrs. Watt’s 11-year-old daughter)
Mrs. Rosa Pinsky (probably)

Ellen recalled the presence of three Catholic priests who gave daily Mass during the journey.

The Night of the Sinking

On the night of April 14, 1912, Ellen’s life changed forever. She later recounted her experience to The Indianapolis News on April 24, 1912:

“We were all in bed, but not asleep, when the ship struck the iceberg. There was a slight shock, but nothing serious, as we thought. Mrs. Watt went out on the deck to see what had happened, and she was told that it was nothing serious and she came back and told us.”

Lifeboat 9

As the situation became dire, Ellen recalled being ordered to the starboard side of the ship with other women and children. She noted:

An officer stood by the lifeboat, brandishing a revolver (though he didn’t fire it)
She heard shots from other parts of the ship
She entered Lifeboat 9 with Mrs. Watt and her daughter
The lifeboat held around 30 people but could have taken more
Two men appeared from underneath the seats after the launch

The Aftermath

From the lifeboat, Ellen witnessed the Titanic’s final moments:

She observed the ship listing heavily
While unable to see people in the water, she heard their cries - a sound she said she would never forget
She recalled a hysterical French woman (likely Madame Aubart, Benjamin Guggenheim’s mistress)

As dawn broke, Ellen was amazed by the sight of numerous icebergs. She was shown the iceberg believed to have struck the Titanic, noting her surprise at its seemingly small size.

Rescue and Return

Ellen was rescued by the Carpathia, praising the ship’s passengers and crew for their kind treatment of the survivors. She was reunited with her anxious sisters in Indianapolis, arriving by train on April 23.

Later Life and Legacy

How did the Titanic disaster affect Ellen Toomey?

The Titanic disaster had a profound impact on Ellen’s life:

She spent the remainder of her life in Indianapolis
There’s no trace of her in the 1920 and 1930 census records
It’s believed she secluded herself in a convent for many years, though she didn’t take Holy Orders
The experience left her emotionally spent

Ellen’s Final Years

Ellen Mary Toomey passed away on December 23, 1933, in Indianapolis at the age of 71 (seventy-one). In her final days, she was cared for by the Little Sisters of the Poor. She was laid to rest in one of their plots in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Ellen’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the human impact of the Titanic disaster, illustrating how a single event can shape the course of a person’s life. Her experiences provide valuable insights into the Titanic’s final moments and the lasting effects on its survivors.