Emma Eliza Bucknell

Who was Emma Eliza Bucknell?

Emma Eliza Bucknell was a wealthy American widow and Titanic survivor who lived a life of privilege and adventure in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in India to missionary parents, she later became the third wife of William Robert Bucknell, a prominent businessman and philanthropist. Emma’s life was marked by extensive travel, social connections, and a brush with history as a passenger on the ill-fated RMS Titanic.

Early Life and Family

Emma Eliza Ward was born on July 29, 1853, in India, where her father, Reverend William Ward, served as a Baptist missionary for 22 years. Her mother, Cordelia Heffron, passed away in 1859, leaving Emma and her siblings, Mary and William Lorenzo, in their father’s care. Following her mother’s death, the family returned to the United States, settling in Burlington, New Jersey.

Marriage to William Robert Bucknell

In 1871, at the age of 18, Emma married William Robert Bucknell, a man 42 years her senior. Bucknell was a prominent figure in Pennsylvania, known for his:

• Real estate dealings
• Construction of gas and water works
• Ownership of coal and iron mines
• Philanthropic activities, particularly his patronage of Bucknell University

Their marriage was William’s third, and despite the significant age difference, they had four children together:

1. Howard (1874-1962)
2. Margaret Crozer (1876-1963)
3. Gertrude (1877-1936)
4. Edith Louise (1880-1944)

The family resided on Walnut Street in Philadelphia, living a life of comfort and social prominence.

Life as a Wealthy Widow

Emma was widowed on March 5, 1890, inheriting a considerable fortune from her late husband. This financial independence allowed her to pursue a life of leisure and travel. She:

• Built a summer retreat called Pine Point Lodge on Upper Saranac Lake, New York
• Divided her time between Pennsylvania and her summer home
• Embarked on frequent international trips, often visiting her daughter Margaret, the Countess Pecorini, in Rome

The Titanic Voyage

Why was Emma Bucknell on the Titanic?

In late 1911, Emma traveled to Rome to visit her daughter. For her return journey to the United States, she booked passage on the RMS Titanic, boarding at Cherbourg as a first-class passenger. She was accompanied by her maid, Albina Bassani.

What were Emma Bucknell’s experiences on the Titanic?

• Ticket Details:

  • Ticket number: 11813
  • Cost: £76 5s 10d
  • Cabin: D15

• Premonition: While awaiting the Titanic on the tender at Cherbourg, Emma confided in Margaret Brown (another passenger) about her “evil forebodings” regarding the ship’s voyage.

• Rescue: On the night of the sinking, Emma and her maid were rescued in lifeboat 8. Emma actively participated in rowing the lifeboat until her hands were blistered.

What did Emma Bucknell say about Bruce Ismay after the rescue?

Following her rescue by the Carpathia, Emma recounted an incident involving J. Bruce Ismay:

“After being taken aboard the Carpathia, J. Bruce Ismay went to a cabin and remained closeted until waited upon by a committee of the survivors, who demanded that they be permitted to see him. One of the questions that was put to him was as to what the White Star and the International Mercantile Marine Co.’s intended doing in the way of reparation. To this Mr. Ismay replied that the company would do all in its power to make a partial repayment for the suffering of the survivors. Further than this he would say nothing.”

Later Life and Legacy

The Titanic disaster did not deter Emma from further travel. A passport dated September 27, 1912, describes her as:

• Height: 5’ 3¼"
• Face shape: Round
• Eye color: Hazel
• Hair color: Mixed-grey

In her later years, Emma:

• Divided her time between Pine Point Lodge and winters in Florida
• Appeared on the 1920 census residing in Clearwater, Florida
• Passed away on June 27, 1927, at the age of 74 (seventy-four), following a long illness
• Was buried in Erieville Cemetery, Nelson, New York, alongside her parents

Emma Eliza Bucknell’s life spanned an era of great change, from her birth in colonial India to her survival of one of the most famous maritime disasters in history. Her story provides a glimpse into the lives of wealthy American women in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, highlighting the intersection of privilege, tragedy, and resilience.