George Harris

Who was Mr George Harris?

Mr George Harris was a 62-year-old English widower and Titanic survivor who became known for his remarkable tale of survival and his struggles in the aftermath of the disaster. Born in 1850 in Liverpool, Harris emigrated to the United States in 1870, where he built a life as a gardener and family man in Stamford, Connecticut. His journey on the Titanic and subsequent rescue would become the defining event of his later years, leaving an indelible mark on his health and psyche.

Early Life and Family

A Liverpudlian in America

George Harris was born on March 24, 1850, in Liverpool, England. At the age of 20 (twenty), he made the bold decision to leave his homeland and seek new opportunities across the Atlantic. In 1870, Harris arrived in the United States, marking the beginning of his American journey.

Building a Family

Five years after his arrival in America, George Harris married his first wife, Mary Simmons, an Irish-born woman. Their union was blessed with four children:

• Rachael (born April 1876)
• Agnes R. (born 1877/1878)
• Susan (born May 1882)
• Alfred James (born October 30, 1888)

Tragically, Mary passed away on August 27, 1889, in Middletown, Connecticut, at the young age of 36 (thirty-six). Her death was reported in the Stamford Advocate, marking the end of their 14-year marriage.

Second Marriage and Continued Growth

Resilient in the face of loss, George found love again. Around 1890, he married Mary Jessup, a Connecticut native born in October 1850. This marriage brought stability to the Harris household, with census records showing the blended family living together in Stamford.

Career and Life in Stamford

A Gardener’s Life

Throughout his years in America, George Harris worked consistently as a gardener. Census records from 1880 to 1910 consistently list his occupation as such, indicating a lifelong dedication to his craft. By 1910, he had refined his position, working as a gardener for a private family in Stamford.

Home and Community

The Harris family made their home in Stamford, Connecticut, moving between residences over the years:

• 1900: 6 Division Street
• 1910: 15 Cottage Street

George was not just a family man and gardener, but also an active community member. He belonged to the Sons of St. George and the Maccabees, organizations that likely provided social connections and support.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Boarding the Unsinkable Ship

In April 1912, at the age of 62 (sixty-two), George Harris boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton. He had been staying at 41 Claredon Street in Pimlico, London, before embarking on what was to be a return journey to his American home. Harris traveled as a second-class passenger, having purchased ticket number SW/PP 752 for £10 10s.

The Night of the Disaster

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, Harris was asleep in his cabin near the stern of the Titanic when disaster struck. Remarkably, he slept through the initial impact with the iceberg. It wasn’t until about ten minutes after the collision that he was awakened by the commotion on deck.

A Miraculous Escape

As chaos unfolded on the sinking ship, George Harris managed to secure a place in a lifeboat. While he believed it to be Lifeboat 13, records suggest he was actually rescued in Lifeboat 15. In a moment that would haunt him for years to come, Harris climbed into the boat after a call for more women went unanswered.

Rowing for Survival

Despite his age, Harris took an active role in the rescue operation. With no sailors in his lifeboat, he joined other passengers in rowing for hours in the frigid North Atlantic night. This physical exertion, combined with the emotional trauma of the event, would have long-lasting effects on his health.

Life After the Titanic

Return to Stamford

George Harris arrived back in Stamford on April 19, 1912, just days after the disaster. His return was noteworthy enough to warrant an interview with the local newspaper, where he shared his harrowing experience.

Lasting Impact of the Disaster

The Titanic tragedy left an indelible mark on Harris’s life. According to later reports, he frequently mentioned that his nerves were never the same after the experience in the lifeboat. This psychological impact, combined with the physical strain of the ordeal, seemed to have accelerated his decline in health.

Final Years

In his last years, George Harris lived with his daughter Rachel (Harris) Coulter in Stamford. His health continued to deteriorate, with the Titanic experience often cited as a contributing factor.

A Survivor’s Legacy

George Harris passed away on March 3, 1919, at the Stamford Hospital, at the age of 68 (sixty-eight). His obituary in the Daily Advocate paid tribute to his Titanic survival story, emphasizing how the experience had affected him in his final years.

Harris was laid to rest in the First Congregational Church Cemetery in Greenwich, Connecticut, alongside both his wives and his daughter Rachel. His grave serves as a poignant reminder of a life marked by both tragedy and survival.

George Harris’s story is a testament to the far-reaching impact of the Titanic disaster. As one of the older survivors, his account provides a unique perspective on the tragedy and its lasting effects on those who lived through it. His life, spanning from Victorian England to early 20th century America, encapsulates a period of great change and upheaval, with the Titanic serving as a powerful symbol of both the era’s ambitions and its limitations.