Miss Margaret Fleming

Who was Margaret Fleming?

Margaret Fleming was a 42 (forty-two) year old American first-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic. Born on January 31, 1870, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she worked as a personal maid for the wealthy Thayer family. Fleming’s journey on the Titanic would become a defining moment in her life, as she survived the tragic sinking and continued to work for the Thayers for the remainder of her days.

Early Life and Irish Roots

What was Margaret Fleming’s family background?

Margaret Fleming came from a family of Irish immigrants. Her parents, David Fleming (born 1833) and Margaret Farrell Fleming (born 1838), arrived in the United States in the late 1850s. Growing up in Philadelphia, Margaret was one of six children:

Marcella (1858-1939)
Thomas (born 1860)
Mary Magdeline (1864-1932)
Kate (born 1866)
Margaret (born 1870)
Lizzie (born 1874)

The Fleming family appeared in both the 1870 and 1880 census records as residents of Philadelphia, showcasing their roots in the city.

Life in Service

How did Margaret Fleming become associated with the Thayer family?

Margaret, affectionately known as Maggie, began her employment with the Thayer family in November 1904. By the time of the 1910 census, she was residing with her employers at their home in Haverford, Lower Merion, Pennsylvania. Her role as a personal maid to Mrs. Marian Longstreth Thayer would take her on a fateful journey across the Atlantic.

The Titanic Voyage

What were the details of Margaret Fleming’s Titanic journey?

Margaret Fleming boarded the RMS Titanic at Cherbourg, France, as a first-class passenger. Her ticket details were as follows:

Detail	Information
Ticket Number	17421
Fare	£110 17s 8d
Class	First Class

She was traveling with her employers, the Thayer family, including:

The group was returning from a European trip, unaware of the tragedy that lay ahead.

The Night of the Sinking

How did Margaret Fleming survive the Titanic disaster?

On the night of April 14, 1912, as the Titanic struck an iceberg, Margaret and Mrs. Thayer found themselves in a chaotic situation. They were directed to Lifeboat 4, which had been lowered to A-deck promenade. The process of boarding was fraught with confusion:

Margaret and Mrs. Thayer said goodbye to Mr. Thayer and Jack at the grand staircase.
They waited on A-deck promenade to board the lifeboat.
Due to unopened windows, passengers were shuffled between decks.
Chief Second Steward George Dodd informed Mr. Thayer and Jack that the ladies were still aboard.
Mrs. Thayer and Margaret finally left the ship at 1:55 am.

Margaret survived the sinking, along with Mrs. Thayer and Jack. Tragically, John Borland Thayer Sr. was among those lost in the disaster.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic disaster impact Margaret Fleming’s later life?

Following the Titanic disaster, Margaret’s life remained closely tied to the Thayer family:

She continued to work for Mrs. Thayer for the rest of her life.
Margaret never married, dedicating herself to her role as a personal maid.
Census records from 1920 to 1940 show her still residing in Haverford, Pennsylvania, with the Thayers.

Margaret’s loyalty to the Thayers extended beyond her professional duties. She traveled the world with Mrs. Thayer, including:

A voyage on the Lusitania in February 1914
A trip aboard the Mauretania in March 1925, returning from Europe and North Africa

Margaret Fleming’s Physical Description

According to her passport, Margaret Fleming was described as:

Height: 5'9"
Eyes: Blue
Hair: White
Complexion: Fair

This description paints a picture of a tall, distinguished woman who had aged gracefully through her years of service.

Final Years and Legacy

Margaret Fleming passed away on August 24, 1941, at the age of 71 (seventy-one) in Bryn Mawr Hospital. Her cause of death was complications from colon cancer. True to the close relationship she had with the Thayer family, Marian Thayer was listed as the informant on her death certificate.

Margaret was laid to rest in the Old Cathedral Cemetery in Philadelphia on August 26, 1941. Her life story serves as a testament to the strong bonds that could form between employers and their staff in the early 20th century, as well as the lasting impact of the Titanic disaster on survivors’ lives.