John Farthing

Who was Mr John Farthing?

Mr John Farthing was a 48 (forty-eight) year-old English servant who perished in the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. He served as a valet to the wealthy businessman Isidor Straus and was traveling with the Straus family on the ill-fated maiden voyage of the Titanic.

Early Life and Family

A Suffolk Childhood

John Farthing was born in the closing months of 1863 in Hartest, a picturesque village in Suffolk, England. He was the son of Thomas Farthing, a skilled carpenter hailing from Chelsworth, and Susan Jackson, originally from Brockley. John’s family tree was rich with siblings, as he was one of eight children in total.

Family Dynamics

John’s father, Thomas, had been previously married to Hannah Prentice, with whom he had two children before her untimely death in 1845. Thomas remarried in 1847 to Susan Jackson, John’s mother. From this union, John gained five more siblings:

• Harry (born 1849)
• Fanny (born 1850)
• Frederick (born 1852)
• Alice (born 1857)
• Tom (born 1860)

This large, blended family would have provided a lively and dynamic household for young John growing up in rural Suffolk.

Education and Early Career

Schoolboy Days

The 1871 census provides our first glimpse of John Farthing as a young boy. At this time, he was living with his parents and brother Tom at The Green in Hartest. The census describes him simply as a “schoolboy,” painting a picture of a typical childhood in Victorian England.

From Suffolk to London

As John grew older, he set his sights beyond the boundaries of his rural hometown. He made the significant move to London, a bustling metropolis that offered myriad opportunities for an ambitious young man. In the capital, John began his career in domestic service, working for various wealthy families.

A Butler in Knightsbridge

By 1891, John had established himself in the world of domestic service. The census of that year reveals him working as a butler for the Gond family, a family of brokers residing at 24 Albert Lane in the affluent area of Knightsbridge, London. This position would have required skill, discretion, and an understanding of upper-class etiquette - all qualities that would serve John well in his future employment.

Life in America

Crossing the Atlantic

In 1903, at the age of 40 (forty), John Farthing made a life-changing decision to emigrate to the United States. This move marked a significant turning point in his life and career.

Valet to Isidor Straus

Upon arriving in America, John secured a position that would define the latter part of his career. He became the valet to Isidor Straus, a prominent businessman and co-owner of Macy’s department store. This role placed John in the inner circle of one of New York’s most influential families.

Personal Life

A Late Marriage

John’s personal life took a romantic turn later in life. He married Thirza Ann Richmond (née Germany) on February 18, 1908, in Manhattan. Thirza, born in Norfolk, England in 1855, had an interesting past of her own:

• Previously married to Samuel Richmond, a domestic butler from Nottinghamshire
• Mother to three children: Gilbert (born 1881), May Marion (born 1889), and Edith Clara (born 1873 out of wedlock)
• Emigrated to the USA in 1907, shortly before marrying John

The 1910 US census shows John and Thirza living together in Manhattan, suggesting they had settled into married life in New York City.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

A European Trip

In early 1912, John traveled to Europe with his employers, Isidor and Ida Straus, and their maid, Ellen Bird. This trip was likely a combination of business and pleasure for the Straus family, with John ensuring their comfort and attending to their needs throughout the journey.

Boarding the Titanic

For their return to the United States, the Straus party, including John Farthing, boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton. John’s ticket details provide insight into the luxury afforded to first-class passengers and their servants:

The high cost of the ticket (equivalent to over £25,000 in today’s money) and the cabin assignment in the C deck demonstrate the opulent accommodations provided for the Straus party and their staff.

The Tragic Sinking

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink. In the chaos that ensued, John Farthing, along with Isidor and Ida Straus, lost their lives. Ellen Bird, the Straus’s maid, was the only survivor from their group.

Legacy and Remembrance

A Body Never Found

Despite extensive recovery efforts in the aftermath of the disaster, John Farthing’s body was never identified, if it was recovered at all. This sad reality was shared by many of the Titanic’s victims, leaving families without closure.

Thirza’s Return to England

John’s widow, Thirza, never remarried. She made the decision to return to England, perhaps finding solace in familiar surroundings after her tragic loss. On July 8, 1912, less than three months after the sinking, Thirza arrived in Liverpool aboard the Mauretania. She ultimately settled in Bedfordshire, where she lived until her death in 1935.

John Farthing’s life and untimely death serve as a poignant reminder of the many personal tragedies that comprised the larger disaster of the Titanic. From his humble beginnings in Suffolk to his role serving one of New York’s elite families, John’s story illustrates the social mobility and opportunities of his era, as well as the cruel twists of fate that can change everything in an instant.