Ellen Truelove Howard

Who was Mrs Ellen Truelove Howard?

Mrs Ellen Truelove Howard was a 61 (sixty-one) year-old English passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born Ellen Truelove Arman on April 14, 1851, in Rodbourne near Swindon, Wiltshire, she was travelling with her husband Benjamin Howard as second-class passengers when the ship sank on April 15, 1912. Ellen’s life was marked by her humble beginnings, her long marriage to Benjamin, and her tragic end on the Titanic’s maiden voyage.

Early Life and Family Background

A Challenging Start

Ellen’s early years were marked by unconventional circumstances:

Born on April 14, 1851, in Rodbourne, Wiltshire
Baptized on December 26, 1851
Illegitimate daughter of Ann Arman (born 1832)
Grandparents were Richard and Eliza Arman

Raised by Relatives

Due to her mother’s circumstances, Ellen was raised by her maternal aunt:

First appeared in the 1861 census living with aunt Mary (born 1821) and uncle Henry Wheeler (born 1817)
Resided at 21 Bridge Street, Swindon
By 1871, moved to number 22 on the same street

Marriage and Family Life

Union with Benjamin Howard

Ellen’s life took a new direction when she married:

Wedding date: May 16, 1872
Husband: Benjamin Howard (born May 10, 1848)
Benjamin’s occupation: Bolt maker from Lancashire

Building a Family

The Howards settled in Swindon, Wiltshire, and raised a family:

William Henry (born 1873)
Frederick Charles (born 1878)
Ethel Louise (1879-1957)
Herbert Benjamin (born 1887)
One child who did not survive infancy

Establishing Roots in Swindon

The family’s residence history in Swindon:

1881: Living at 84 Cheltenham Street
Later moved to number 84 on the same street
Remained at this address until their fateful journey

Benjamin’s career progressed from bolt maker to foreman over the years.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Why did the Howards travel on the Titanic?

The decision to embark on the Titanic was driven by health concerns:

Benjamin’s health had been declining
A sea voyage to the USA was thought to be beneficial
Two of their sons, Frederick and Herbert, lived in Idaho

The Journey Begins

The Howards’ Titanic experience:

Departed Swindon on April 9, 1912, at 2:15 pm
Boarded the Titanic in Southampton on April 10, 1912
Traveled as second-class passengers
Ticket number: 24065
Ticket cost: £26

Last Communications

From Cherbourg, the Howards:

Posted a letter to their daughter, Mrs. Opie Smith
Mrs. Smith lived on the same street in Swindon with her family

A Bittersweet Celebration

In a poignant twist of fate:

Ellen celebrated her 61st birthday on Sunday, April 14, 1912, the very day the Titanic struck the iceberg.

The Tragic End

Loss at Sea

The Howards’ journey came to a tragic end:

Both Ellen and Benjamin perished in the sinking
Their bodies, if recovered, were never identified

Estate Settlement

After Ellen’s death:

Her estate was valued at £339, 12s, 6d
Administered to her eldest son William Howard, a piano tuner
Settlement date: August 30, 1912

Legacy and Family After the Tragedy

Herbert Howard’s Life

Ellen’s son Herbert’s life after the tragedy:

Continued to live in Idaho, later in Caldwell, Canyon County
Married Sarah Lydia Tannehill (1898-1934) from Nebraska
Had several children
After Sarah’s death, moved to Los Angeles
Remarried in 1946 to Laura Adelaide Mosher (née Harris)
Widowed again after less than a year of marriage
Passed away in Los Angeles on August 19, 1963

Ellen Truelove Howard’s life, from her humble beginnings in Wiltshire to her tragic end on the Titanic, encapsulates a story of resilience, family bonds, and the unpredictable nature of fate. Her 61st birthday, celebrated aboard the doomed ship, serves as a poignant reminder of the many lives cut short on that fateful night in April 1912.