Mrs Martha Stephenson

Who was Martha Stephenson?

Martha Stephenson was a 52 (fifty-two) year-old American first-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on March 15, 1860, in Boston, Massachusetts, she survived the tragic sinking and lived to the age of 74 (seventy-four), passing away on December 24, 1934. Her remarkable life included not only surviving the Titanic disaster but also the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, making her a witness to two of the most significant catastrophes of the early 20th century.

Early Life and Family Background

What was Martha’s family like?

Martha Stephenson came from a prominent Boston family:

• Father: William Tracy Eustis (1822-1906)
  • Worked in various industries including millinery, oil, and hotels
  • Civil War veteran
• Mother: Martha Gilbert Dutton (1829-1900)
  • Daughter of Henry Worthington Dutton, Boston City councillor and founder of The Boston Evening Transcript

Martha had six siblings:

• Eleanor Tracy (1851-1922)
• Henry Dutton (1854-1939)
• Annie Dutton (1855-1856)
• Elizabeth Mussey (1858-1936)
• Joseph Tracy (1864-1931)
• Mary St. Barbe (1870-1954)

Marriage and Children

On October 10, 1883, Martha married Walter Bryant Stephenson, a dealer of cotton and woollen yarn from Middlesex, Massachusetts. The couple settled in Pennsylvania and had three children:

1. Martha (1884-1966), later Mrs. Arthur Shirley Cookman
2. Helen (1887-1975), later Mrs. Edward Le Boutillier
3. George Eustis (b. 1888)

The Titanic Journey

How did Martha come to be on the Titanic?

By 1912, Martha was living in Haverford, Pennsylvania. She had been on vacation with her sister Elizabeth Mussey Eustis touring southern Europe. For their return to the USA, they boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg as first-class passengers.

Ticket Details:

• Ticket number: 36947
• Fare: £78 5s 4d
• Cabin: D-20

During the voyage, Martha and Elizabeth reportedly spent time with their Haverford neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. John Borland Thayer.

What happened on the night of the disaster?

On the fateful night of April 14, 1912:

1. Martha and Elizabeth were awakened by a “ripping” sound
2. They decided to investigate and get fully dressed
3. A steward advised them to return to bed, but they ignored the advice
4. They went up on deck with their rings
5. On A-Deck, they were ordered to the boat deck with other women and children
6. They watched distress rockets being fired, which greatly alarmed them
7. Steward Dodd led them back to A-deck where lifeboat 4 was being prepared

Survival and Rescue

How did Martha survive the sinking?

Martha Stephenson was helped into lifeboat 4, which was then lowered away from the sinking ship. As the Titanic’s lights failed, Martha covered her eyes, unable to watch the tragedy unfolding before her. When she finally looked, she saw the silhouette of the ship’s stern outlined against the sky before it disappeared.

“She’s broken!” someone cried, but Mrs. Stephenson kept her eyes covered for what seemed like a long time.

Lifeboat 4 managed to rescue several men from the sea and was later lashed to the flotilla of boats commanded by Officer Lowe.

What happened after the rescue?

Upon arrival in New York aboard the Carpathia, Martha was met by relatives and immediately returned home to Pennsylvania by train. She later filed a claim (#67) against the White Star Line for $1,739.75 for the loss of her property.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic affect Martha’s later life?

Martha resided in Haverford for the rest of her life and was active in her local church. Interestingly, The Philadelphia Evening Bulletin reported on April 19, 1912, that Mrs. Stephenson had also survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake while staying at the St. Francis Hotel, making her a survivor of two major disasters.

What became of Martha’s family?

• Son George Stephenson:

  • 1910 Harvard graduate
  • Joined The Boston Transcript in 1913
  • Rose to the rank of president
  • Married Louise Dixon (b. 1893) and had two children

• Daughter Martha Cookman:

  • Died in Englewood, New Jersey in 1966 at the age of 81

• Daughter Helen Le Boutillier:

  • Died in Haverford, Pennsylvania in 1975

Martha’s Final Years

Martha Stephenson passed away on December 24, 1934, at the age of 74 (seventy-four) while visiting her son in Marblehead, Massachusetts. She was cremated at Mount Auburn Crematory on December 27, 1934. Her ashes were buried alongside her husband in Newton Cemetery, Massachusetts, section K, lot 160.

Martha Stephenson’s life spanned an era of great change and upheaval, from the Civil War to the Great Depression. Her experiences as a Titanic survivor and earthquake survivor make her a unique witness to history, embodying the resilience of those who lived through the tumultuous early 20th century.