Margaret Welles Swift

Who was Margaret Welles Swift?

Margaret Welles Swift was a 46 (forty-six) year-old American first-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic. Born on September 30, 1865, in Bath, Steuben, New York, she survived the tragic sinking and went on to lead a life dedicated to horticulture, women’s rights, and various social causes.

Early Life and Background

A Distinguished Family Heritage

Margaret Welles Swift came from an old English family with deep roots in American history. Her ancestry could be traced back to Ensign Hugh Welles, who settled in Wethersfield, Connecticut in 1645. Born to Charles Hazon Barron, a hardware dealer, and Julia A. Welles, Margaret grew up with four siblings:

• Ella (b. 1857)
• Charles (b. 1859)
• Bertha (b. 1863)
• William (b. 1871)

Education and Early Career

Margaret’s early life was marked by academic achievements:

• Attended school in Milo, Yates, New York
• Earned Bachelor and Master of Laws degrees from New York University
• Lectured on law to women’s clubs, though she never practiced professionally

Marriage and Personal Life

In 1899, Margaret married Fred Joel Swift, a realtor from Herkimer, New York. Their life together was characterized by:

• Residence in Brooklyn, New York, before settling in Nyack
• No children
• Widowhood on October 21, 1907, when Fred passed away

The Titanic Journey

Embarking on a Fateful Voyage

Following a tour of Europe, Mrs. Swift boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a first-class passenger. Her journey was notable for several reasons:

• Ticket: Number 17466
• Fare: £25 18s 7d
• Cabin: D-17, shared with Dr. Alice Leader
• Traveling companions: Dr. Alice Leader and Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Kenyon

The Night of the Disaster

Margaret’s experience on the night of April 14-15, 1912, was harrowing yet calm. In her own words:

“…as Dr Alice Lieder [sic], my travelling companion, and myself were preparing to retire there came an indescribable wrenching, followed by a fearful recoil.”

She described the initial calm among passengers, followed by the gradual realization of danger. Margaret and Dr. Leader were among the last to board a lifeboat, following Captain Smith’s insistence.

Rescue and Survival

• Rescued in lifeboat 8
• Arrived in New York aboard the Carpathia
• Stayed with her sister Ella Ford at 3 East Sixty-first Street upon arrival

Life After the Titanic

A Passion for Horticulture

Margaret Swift’s post-Titanic life was marked by her dedication to gardening and horticulture:

• Served twice as president of the Garden Club of Nyack
• Honorary president of the club for many years
• Helped organize the Federated Garden Clubs of New York
• President of the National Council of State Garden Clubs (1933-1935)
• Awarded the medal of the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State in 1940

Political and Social Activism

Mrs. Swift was also known for her political engagement and social activities:

• Staunch Republican
• Member of the Women’s Republican Club of Nyack and the Women’s National Republican Club
• Advocate for women’s suffrage
• Campaigned for Herbert Hoover in 1932

Other Notable Involvements

• 35-year member of the Fortnightly Library Club of Brooklyn
• Former president of the Brooklyn Women’s Club
• President-general of the Colonial Daughters of the Seventeenth Century
• Member of the Thursday Class of Nyack and Sorosis (a women’s club in New York)
• Active in the State Federation of Women’s Clubs and various charities
• Entertained soldiers unfamiliar with New York during World War I

How did Margaret Welles Swift spend her final years?

In her later years, Margaret lived in Nyack, New York, close to her sisters Mrs. Harry Smith (Ella) Ford and Mrs. Barron (Bertha) Berthald. She passed away at her home, 219 North Broadway, on April 29, 1948, at the age of 82 (eighty-two). Her final resting place is the Ford Mausoleum in Sleepy Hollow cemetery, Tarrytown, New York (section Horeb 71).

What was Margaret Welles Swift’s lasting impact?

Margaret Welles Swift’s life exemplified resilience and dedication to public service. From surviving one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters to her tireless work in horticulture and women’s rights, she left a lasting legacy. Her story serves as a reminder of the Titanic’s first-class passengers who not only survived but went on to make significant contributions to society in the years following the tragedy.