Mrs Mary Eliza Compton

Who was Mary Eliza Compton?

Mrs Mary Eliza Compton was a 64 (sixty-four) year-old American first-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic. Born on August 7, 1847, in Westchester, New York, she survived the tragic sinking of the ship on April 15, 1912. Her remarkable story of survival and loss during one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters offers a poignant glimpse into the lives of those affected by the Titanic’s fate.

Early Life and Family Background

What was Mary Eliza Compton’s upbringing like?

Mary Eliza Compton, née Ingersoll, was born into a prominent New York family. Her father, Lorin Ingersoll (1813-1889), was a successful tin manufacturer, while her mother was Rebecca Ely Halsey (1819-1890). Growing up in a large family, Mary had six siblings:

• James Harrison (b. 1840)
• Moses Ely (b. 1842)
• William (b. 1844)
• Sarah Maria (b. 1849)
• John Ely (b. 1856)
• Laura J. (b. 1858)

The family’s prosperity allowed Mary to enjoy a comfortable upbringing in New York’s Westchester County.

Marriage and Family Life

In her early twenties, Mary married Alexander Taylor Compton, a lawyer from Newark, New Jersey. The couple appeared in the 1870 census living with Mary’s parents in New York. They went on to have three children:

1. Lorin Ingersoll (1870-1872)
2. Sara “Sadie” Rebecca (b. 1872)
3. Alexander Taylor Jr. (b. 1874)

The Compton family lived in various locations throughout New York and New Jersey, including East Orange, as evidenced by census records from 1880 and 1885.

The Titanic Journey

Why was Mary Eliza Compton on the Titanic?

Following her husband’s death on January 30, 1902, Mrs. Compton settled in Lakewood, New Jersey. In April 1912, she embarked on a journey that would change her life forever. Accompanied by her son Alexander Taylor jr Compton and daughter Sara Rebecca Compton, Mary boarded the RMS Titanic at Cherbourg, France.

What were the details of the Comptons’ Titanic accommodations?

The Comptons traveled in first-class luxury:

This substantial fare, equivalent to over £10,000 in today’s currency, ensured the family enjoyed the finest amenities the ship had to offer.

The Fateful Night

How did Mary Eliza Compton survive the Titanic disaster?

On the night of April 14, 1912, as the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, Mary and her daughter Sara managed to secure places in lifeboat 14. In a heart-wrenching moment, Mary bid farewell to her son Alexander on the boat deck, not knowing it would be the last time she would see him.

“When I said goodbye to him on the boat deck as I entered a lifeboat, that would be the last time I saw him.”

This poignant statement from Mrs. Compton encapsulates the tragedy that befell many families that night.

What happened to the Comptons after the rescue?

Following their rescue by the Carpathia, Mrs. Compton and her daughter Sara were taken to New York City. They stayed at the Murray Hill Hotel, where Mary was reportedly devastated by the loss of her son. Alexander Taylor Compton Jr. was among the victims who perished in the disaster.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic disaster impact Mary Eliza Compton’s later years?

Despite the profound loss she experienced, Mrs. Compton showed remarkable resilience in the years following the Titanic disaster:

• She continued to travel the world
• Made New York City her home base
• Spent summers in Lakewood, New Jersey

Mary Eliza Compton lived for another 18 years after the Titanic sinking, passing away on December 4, 1930, at the age of 83 (eighty-three). She was laid to rest in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Newark, New Jersey, reuniting her in death with the family she had lost years before.

Legacy

Mary Eliza Compton’s story serves as a testament to the human spirit’s ability to endure unimaginable tragedy. Her experience aboard the Titanic, marked by both survival and profound loss, continues to captivate those interested in the personal stories behind one of history’s most famous maritime disasters. As one of the first-class survivors, her account provides valuable insight into the events of that fateful night and the long-lasting impact on those who lived to tell the tale.