Jessie Allis Mary Goodwin

Who was Miss Jessie Allis Mary Goodwin?

Miss Jessie Allis Mary Goodwin was a 12 (twelve) year-old English passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on March 16, 1900, in Edmonton, Middlesex, England, she was one of six children in the Goodwin family who tragically perished during the ship’s maiden voyage in 1912.

Early Life and Family

A Large Victorian Family

Jessie was born into a bustling household, the fourth of six children to Frederick Joseph Goodwin and Augusta Tyler. Her siblings were:

• Lillian Augusta (b. 1896)
• Charles Edward (b. 1897)
• William Frederick (b. 1898)
• Harold Victor (b. 1901)
• Sidney Leslie (b. 1910)

Her father, Frederick, worked as a printer and compositor, while her mother Augusta managed their growing family. The Goodwins were a typical working-class family of the Edwardian era, with roots in Surrey and Middlesex.

Homes and Relocations

The Goodwin family’s life was marked by several relocations:

1. 1901: 4 Exeter Road, Edmonton, Middlesex
2. 1911: Watson Court, Watson’s Yard, High Street in Melksham, Wiltshire
3. 1912: 10 Vernon Street, Fulham, London (temporary residence)

These moves likely reflect the family’s search for better opportunities and living conditions, a common narrative for working-class families of the time.

The American Dream: A Fateful Journey

Why Were the Goodwins Traveling to America?

The Goodwin family’s journey to America was born out of hope and opportunity. Several of Frederick’s siblings had already emigrated to the United States, settling in Niagara, New York. It was Jessie’s uncle, Thomas Goodwin, who notified the family of a promising position for Frederick at the large power station in Niagara.

Preparing for the Journey

To finance their transatlantic voyage, the Goodwins borrowed funds from various uncles and aunts. This act of family solidarity highlights the close-knit nature of extended families during this period, even when separated by vast distances.

The Coal Strike’s Unexpected Impact

“The family had originally planned to cross on another steamer but the coal strike changed their plans and they were transferred to the Titanic.”

This twist of fate would have profound consequences for the Goodwin family. The coal strike of 1912 was a significant event that disrupted shipping schedules and inadvertently led many passengers, including the Goodwins, to book passage on the Titanic instead of their originally intended vessels.

The Titanic Journey

Boarding the Ship of Dreams

On April 10, 1912, the Goodwin family boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as third-class passengers. Their ticket, number 2144, cost £46 18s, a substantial sum for a working-class family of eight.

The Tragic Fate of the Goodwin Family

Like many large families traveling in third class, particularly those with teenage boys, the entire Goodwin family was lost in the sinking. The tragedy of their loss is compounded by the fact that they were traveling together, seeking a better life in America.

Legacy and Remembrance

The Recovery of Baby Sidney

In a poignant twist, only the body of the youngest Goodwin child, baby Sidney, was recovered. For many years, this small victim remained unidentified, a symbol of the many young lives lost in the disaster.

A Memorial in Melksham

Today, a memorial to the Goodwin family stands in the Church at Melksham, Wiltshire. This tribute serves as a lasting reminder of the family’s connection to the area and the devastating impact of the Titanic disaster on communities far from the Atlantic Ocean.

Jessie Allis Mary Goodwin’s short life, cut tragically short at just 12 years old, encapsulates the dreams and devastation associated with the Titanic’s ill-fated voyage. Her story, intertwined with that of her family, continues to resonate as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the disaster and the unfulfilled promise of a new life in America.