John Ashby

Who was Mr John Ashby?

Mr John Ashby was a 57 (fifty-seven) year-old English passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born in Balham, Surrey, England on June 29, 1854, Ashby was a second-class passenger returning to his family in New Jersey after recuperating from a work-related injury in England. Tragically, he lost his life in the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Family

A Gardener’s Son

John Ashby was born into a working-class family in Balham, Surrey. His father, James Ashby (1818-1898), was a gardener hailing from Norfolk, while his mother, Sarah Ann Arlette (1820-1904), was a native of Middlesex who worked as a laundress. The couple married on April 1, 1844, and went on to have at least nine children.

Siblings and Childhood

John grew up in a large family, with eight known siblings:

• Lucy (b. 1843)
• Henry (b. 1848)
• James (b. 1850)
• Elizabeth (b. 1852)
• Walter (b. 1856)
• Joseph Wright (b. 1858)
• Mary Ann (b. 1862)
• Arthur (b. 1864)

The Ashby family resided at Balham New Road, Streatham, as evidenced by census records from 1861 through 1881.

Early Career and Marriage

From Porter to Warehouseman

By the age of 16, John had already entered the workforce. The 1871 census described him as a porter, indicating his early start in manual labor. A decade later, the 1881 census showed his progression to a warehouseman, suggesting a career in logistics or storage.

Marriage and Family Life

John Ashby married Emma Keely in 1881 in the Hartismere district of Suffolk, England. The couple went on to have at least three children:

1. Amy Emma (born May 1882 in England)
2. Edwin Valentine (born July 12, 1883, in Brixton, Surrey, England; died March 1969 in Bergen, New Jersey)
3. Lucy Ethel (born September 1888 in England, later Mrs. Greenwood Robertson)

Emigration to America

A New Life Across the Atlantic

In 1889, John Ashby and his family made the life-changing decision to emigrate to the United States. This move marked a significant turning point in their lives, as they sought new opportunities in America.

Life in New York and New Jersey

The Ashby family’s American journey can be traced through census records:

• 1900 Census: Living in Brooklyn, New York (John listed as a packer, surname spelled “Ashbey”)
• 1910 Census: Residing in West Hoboken, Hudson, New Jersey
• 1912: Settled at 517 Synnes Street, West Hoboken, New Jersey

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Why was John Ashby returning to England?

John Ashby had been working in a cravenette factory in New Jersey when he suffered an injury in an accident. To aid his recovery, he was sent to England to recuperate. This trip back to his homeland would ultimately lead to his presence on the Titanic.

Booking Passage on the Titanic

After his stay in London, Ashby booked second-class passage on the RMS Titanic for his return journey to the USA. His ticket details were as follows:

• Ticket Number: 244346
• Cost: £13
• Embarkation Point: Southampton
• Date of Boarding: April 10, 1912

The Tragic Sinking

Tragically, John Ashby did not survive the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. Despite contemporary newspaper accounts suggesting otherwise, his body was never recovered from the icy Atlantic waters.

Legacy and Remembrance

Emma Ashby’s Life After the Tragedy

John’s widow, Emma, never remarried following the loss of her husband. She later lived with her daughter Lucy and passed away in 1937 in Union City, Hudson, New Jersey.

Memorial and Final Resting Place

Emma Ashby is buried in Fairview Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Bergen County, New Jersey. In a touching tribute to her lost husband, John Ashby’s name is remembered on her headstone, creating a lasting memorial to the man who never returned from his voyage.

A Poignant Reflection

The story of John Ashby serves as a poignant reminder of the individual tragedies that make up the larger narrative of the Titanic disaster. His journey from a gardener’s son in Surrey to a factory worker in New Jersey, culminating in his untimely death aboard the world’s most famous ship, encapsulates the dreams, struggles, and ultimate heartbreak of many immigrants of his era.