Frederick Sutton

Who was Mr Frederick Sutton?

Mr Frederick Sutton was a prominent 61-year-old (sixty-one-year-old) English property developer and real estate magnate who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. He was known for his successful business ventures, including developing the fishing village of Wildwood into a thriving resort town, and held leadership positions in several financial institutions and corporations.

Early Life and Family

Frederick Sutton was born on June 15, 1850, in Wangford, Suffolk, England. He came from a humble background:

• Parents: George Sutton (b. 1822), a shoemaker, and Elizabeth Breeze (b. 1818)
• Siblings: Mary Ann (b. 1840), George (b. 1843), Jane (b. 1846), and a brother also named Frederick (1845-1846)

Young Frederick’s early years were spent in Wangford and later in Walsoken, Norwich, Norfolk. Details about his childhood and education remain limited, though he was reportedly an alumnus of Cambridge University.

Journey to America and Business Success

A New Beginning

In 1870, at the age of 20 (twenty), Frederick Sutton embarked on a life-changing journey:

• Emigrated to the United States
• Settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Began his career with White Brothers & Co., a coffee import company

Entrepreneurial Spirit

Sutton’s business acumen quickly became apparent:

1. Founded his own coffee import company, Sutton & Vansant, in 1877
2. Located at 37 South Water Street, Philadelphia
3. Transitioned into real estate and property development

Notable Achievements

Frederick Sutton’s career was marked by significant accomplishments:

• Developed the fishing village of Wildwood into a popular resort destination
• Served as president of the First National Bank of Collingswood
• Held the presidency of the Marine National Bank of Wildwood
• Acted as treasurer for multiple corporations:
  • Wildwood Hotel Company
  • Five Mile Beach Electric Company
  • West Jersey Electric Company
  • North Wildwood Electric Company

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

In 1877, the same year he founded his coffee import company, Frederick married Ellen Craswell Underdown:

• Ellen (Ella) was born on May 27, 1852, in London
• She had immigrated to the USA with her family in 1855
• The couple had three daughters:
  1. Elizabeth Ashburner (1880-1892)
  2. Florence (1881-1969)
  3. Jennie Banham (1883-1894)

Tragically, only Florence survived to adulthood.

Home Life

The Sutton family established deep roots in their community:

• Settled in Haddonfield, Camden, New Jersey
• Frederick built their family home there in 1886
• This remained his residence for the rest of his life

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Why was Sutton on the Titanic?

In March 1912, Frederick Sutton traveled to England on his physician’s advice, seeking treatment for an undisclosed illness. Additionally, he was overseeing the construction of a large house on 26th Street.

Titanic Voyage Details

For his return journey to the United States, Sutton booked passage on the ill-fated RMS Titanic:

• Embarked at Southampton as a first-class passenger
• Ticket number: 36963
• Ticket cost: £32, 6s, 5d (equivalent to about £3,700 or $4,600 in 2023)
• Assigned cabin: D-50

The Tragic Night

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, as the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, a chilling report emerged:

• An elderly male passenger was said to be trapped in his room
• Some speculate this may have been Mr. Sutton, though this remains unconfirmed

Recovery and Burial

Frederick Sutton did not survive the sinking. His body was later recovered by the Mackay Bennett, designated as body No. 46. The recovery report provides a poignant glimpse into his final moments:

• Estimated age: 60
• Hair: Brown
• Beard: Grey
• Clothing: Black coat, vest, trousers, and boots

Personal Effects

The items found with Mr. Sutton’s body paint a picture of a man of means and refinement:

• Gold watch and chain
• Tie clip and pocket book
• Three silver spoons with Norwich enamel crest
• Gold seal ring engraved with “F. S.”
• Freeman Medal
• $60.00 in traveler’s cheques
• £2 10s in gold, 16s in silver, $13 in loose coins
• Circular letter of credit for £100 from Kountz Bros., New York
• Two silver thimbles
• Eyeglasses in case
• Silver whistle

Frederick Sutton’s body was buried at sea on April 22, 1912.

Legacy and Family After the Tragedy

The loss of Frederick Sutton had a lasting impact on his family and community:

• His estate, valued at over $50,000 (equivalent to about $1.4 million in 2023), was administered to his widow and surviving daughter
• Ella, his widow, never remarried and continued to live in Haddonfield until her death on April 2, 1931
• Their only surviving child, Florence, married Dr. Francis Henry Tomlin and had five children
• Florence lived until 1969, carrying on her father’s legacy in Haddonfield

Frederick Sutton’s name lives on, memorialized on the grave of his infant grandson, Frederick Sutton Tomlin, who had passed away just months before the Titanic disaster. This touching tribute serves as a reminder of the interconnected nature of family histories and the enduring impact of the Titanic tragedy on generations to come.