Jane Anne Hoyt

Who was Mrs Jane Anne Hoyt?

Mrs Jane Anne Hoyt was a 33 (thirty-three) year-old American first-class passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born Jane Anne Forby on February 28, 1879, in Amsterdam, New York, she was the wife of Frederick Maxfield Hoyt, a prominent yachtsman and broker. Her remarkable survival story and subsequent life make her a fascinating figure in Titanic history.

Early Life and Family

A New York Upbringing

Jane Anne Forby was born into a working-class family in Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York. Her father, Francis M. Forby (1844-1920), worked as a carpenter, while her mother, Emmeline Cordelia Hewitt (1844-1920), managed the household. Jane had only one known sibling, an older sister named Harriett, born in 1877.

The 1880 census provides a glimpse into Jane’s early life, showing the young family living with her maternal grandparents, Ephraim and Jane Ann Hewitt. Ephraim, a butcher by trade, likely played a significant role in Jane’s childhood. This arrangement was not uncommon in the late 19th century, as extended families often lived together for financial and practical reasons.

What was Jane’s life like before marriage?

Jane’s early adulthood appears to have been spent in her hometown of Amsterdam. The 1900 census records show her still living with her parents, suggesting a close-knit family unit. This period of her life, spanning the turn of the century, would have been marked by significant societal changes, including the rise of women’s suffrage movements and technological advancements.

Marriage and Society Life

Jane’s life took a dramatic turn when she married Frederick Maxfield Hoyt, a Connecticut native born in 1873. Frederick was a man of considerable standing:

• Yale graduate
• Prolific yachtsman
• Broker based at 45 Broadway, Manhattan

The couple’s marriage catapulted Jane into New York’s high society. They established their primary residence at 112 East Seventy-Third Street in Manhattan, a prestigious address that spoke to their social status. Additionally, the Hoyts maintained a summer home in Stamford, Connecticut, and frequented Marblehead, Massachusetts, illustrating their affluent lifestyle.

Despite their social prominence, the Hoyts remained childless, a fact that may have influenced their decision to travel extensively.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

How did the Hoyts come to be on the Titanic?

In the spring of 1912, Jane and Frederick Hoyt boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton, embarking on what was to be a routine return to their home in Stamford, Connecticut. As first-class passengers, they enjoyed the height of luxury aboard the ship:

• Ticket Number: 19943
• Ticket Cost: £90 (approximately $450 at the time)
• Cabin: C-93

Their accommodations in C-93 would have been among the finest on the ship, featuring elegant furnishings and modern amenities that befitted their social status.

The Night of the Sinking

On the night of April 14, 1912, as the Titanic struck the iceberg that would seal its fate, the Hoyts’ lives were forever changed. In a dramatic turn of events:

1. The ship’s surgeon, Dr. O’Loughlin (though some sources attribute this to a steward), personally went to the Hoyts’ stateroom.
2. He urged them to prepare and make their way to the lifeboats, recognizing the dire situation unfolding.
3. Dr. O’Loughlin assisted Mrs. Hoyt into Collapsible Lifeboat D, one of the last to leave the sinking ship.
4. In a heart-stopping moment, Frederick Hoyt jumped into the freezing Atlantic shortly after the lifeboat’s launch.
5. Miraculously, the occupants of Collapsible D managed to pull Frederick from the water, reuniting the couple.

This harrowing experience showcased not only the chaos of that fateful night but also the strength and resilience of the Hoyts.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic experience affect the Hoyts?

Surviving such a monumental tragedy undoubtedly left an indelible mark on Jane and Frederick Hoyt. In the years following the disaster:

• They settled in Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York, perhaps seeking a quieter life away from the bustle of Manhattan.
• The couple later moved to Los Angeles, California, appearing there in the 1930 census.
• This westward move might have been motivated by health concerns or a desire for a change of scenery after their traumatic experience.

Jane’s Later Years and Legacy

Jane Hoyt’s life in the 1920s is captured in a photograph that shows her as an elegant woman, seemingly having recovered from the ordeal of the Titanic. However, her life was cut tragically short. On July 17, 1932, at the age of 53 (fifty-three), Jane passed away in Long Beach, California.

In a final journey, Jane was laid to rest in Woodland Cemetery, Stamford, Connecticut, alongside her husband Frederick. This choice of burial location suggests a lasting connection to their East Coast roots, despite their later years spent in California.

Jane Anne Hoyt’s life story, from her modest beginnings in upstate New York to her survival of one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters, serves as a poignant reminder of the Titanic’s far-reaching impact on individual lives. Her journey through the echelons of New York society, her brush with death, and her quiet later years paint a picture of a woman who lived through extraordinary times, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with one of the 20th century’s most enduring tragedies.