Mrs Margaret Ann Watson Ford

Who was Margaret Ann Watson Ford?

Margaret Ann Watson Ford was a 54 (fifty-four) year-old Scottish passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on December 3, 1857, in Bracadale on the Isle of Skye, she was a farmer and mother of five who embarked on a journey to America with her children, seeking a better life. Tragically, she became one of the victims of the Titanic disaster, perishing along with her entire traveling party.

Early Life and Scottish Roots

Where did Margaret Ann Watson Ford come from?

Margaret was born into a large Scottish family on the Isle of Skye. Her parents, William Watson, a shepherd, and Margaret “Peggy” Ross, were natives of Rossshire. Margaret was one of twelve children, growing up in the rugged landscape of the Inner Hebrides.

What was her family life like?

The Watson family lived in various locations on the Isle of Skye:

1861: Gruile, Bracadale
1871: Borlen House Ganle, Bracadale
1881: Gruile 2, Bracadale (Margaret not listed)
1891: Harport House, Bracadale (family home passed to her brother Neil)

Marriage and Family

When did Margaret start her own family?

Margaret moved to England and married Edward Ford on June 17, 1890, in St Mark’s Church, Hadlow Down, Sussex. Edward, born in 1858, was a hay worker from Fletching, Sussex.

How many children did they have?

The Fords had five children:

Dollina Margaret (b. 1891)
Frances Mary (b. 1893)
Edward Watson (b. 1895)
William Neal Thomas (b. 1897)
Robina Maggie (b. 1904)

Life in Sussex and Hardships

By 1901, the Ford family was living in Mark Cross, Rotherfield, Sussex, where they remained until at least 1911. However, Margaret’s life took a difficult turn when her husband Edward reportedly deserted the family. Left to fend for herself and her children, Margaret became a poultry farmer to make ends meet.

The Decision to Emigrate

What inspired Margaret to leave for America?

Margaret’s daughter Frances had emigrated to the USA in 1911, working as a domestic servant for a wealthy Long Island family. Frances’s tales of a better life in America inspired Margaret to make the bold decision to leave Rotherfield and seek new opportunities across the Atlantic.

The Titanic Journey

Who accompanied Margaret on the Titanic?

Margaret boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third-class passenger, accompanied by:

Her four youngest children
Her sister Eliza Johnston and her family
Family friend Alice Phoebe Harknett

What were the details of their voyage?

Ticket Number: W./C. 6608
Fare: £34 7s 6d
Destination: New London, Connecticut (where Margaret’s brother Thomas lived)

The Tragic Fate

“The entire party of ten were lost in the sinking. None of their bodies were identified amongst those recovered after the sinking.”

Margaret Ann Watson Ford, along with her children and traveling companions, perished when the Titanic sank on April 15, 1912. At 54 years old, her life came to a tragic end as she pursued her dream of a new beginning in America.

Aftermath and Legacy

How did the family respond to the tragedy?

Edward Ford, despite having deserted his family, filed a claim for their loss and was awarded five shillings per week. His fate remains uncertain, though it’s believed he may have remained in Rotherfield until his death in 1933.

What became of Frances Ford?

Frances Ford, the only surviving member of the immediate family:

Lived with her uncle Thomas Watson in Haverhill, Massachusetts
Worked as a laundress
Married Charles Henry Langley on June 24, 1916
Had two children: Muriel (b. 1920) and Charles Henry (b. 1922)
Remarried to Michael Nathanson before 1930
Settled in Quincy, Massachusetts
Passed away in 1969

Remembering Margaret Ann Watson Ford

Margaret Ann Watson Ford’s story is a poignant reminder of the dreams and aspirations that led many to board the Titanic, seeking a better life in America. Her journey, cut tragically short, represents the hopes and struggles of countless immigrants who risked everything for a chance at a new beginning.