Miss Mary Eliza Doyle

Who was Mary Eliza Doyle?

Miss Mary Eliza Doyle, also known as Lizzie, was a 29 (twenty-nine) year-old Irish woman who tragically lost her life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on October 2, 1882, in Bree, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, Ireland, Lizzie was a third-class passenger on the ill-fated maiden voyage of the Titanic. Her story is one of hope, family devotion, and ultimately, heartbreak.

Early Life and Family Background

What was Lizzie Doyle’s family like?

Lizzie came from a close-knit Irish farming family. Her parents were:

• Father: Martin Doyle (born circa 1851), a farmer sometimes described as a shoemaker
• Mother: Kate Cogly (born circa 1848)

The couple married on February 5, 1875, at the Roman Catholic Chapel of Davidstown in Enniscorthy, Ireland. Lizzie had four siblings:

• Robert (January 19, 1876 - 1888)
• James (born May 11, 1877)
• Margaret (born January 3, 1879)
• Jeremiah (born March 15, 1885)

Tragedy struck the family early when Lizzie’s mother passed away on March 26, 1887, from heart disease at the young age of 39. Her father never remarried, raising the children as a widower.

What was life like for the Doyle family in Ireland?

In 1901, the Doyle family resided at house 15 in Bree, Wexford. The household consisted of:

• Martin, 46, a widowed farmer
• James, 23, a coachman in domestic service
• Margaret, 22
• Jeremiah, 16, a postman
• Elizabeth (Lizzie), 17

The family was literate, Roman Catholic, and spoke only English, not being proficient in the Irish language.

Lizzie’s Journey to America

When did Lizzie first travel to the United States?

Lizzie’s first journey to America began on October 20, 1909, when she left Liverpool, England, as a second-cabin passenger on the steamer Friesland. At 23 years old, she was listed as an unmarried domestic servant, standing 5'3" tall with brown hair and brown eyes.

“Lizzie was bound for 1244 Snyder Avenue, Philadelphia, which was the home of one Parick O’Brien.”

The ship arrived in Philadelphia on November 1, 1909, marking the beginning of Lizzie’s American adventure.

Why did Lizzie return to Ireland?

After living in Philadelphia for about a year and a half, Lizzie made the decision to return home in June 1911. Her father had been battling severe asthma, and Lizzie wanted to be by his side. This decision proved timely, as she was able to spend a few precious weeks with him before he passed away on July 5, 1911, at the age of 60.

The Titanic Journey

What were Lizzie’s plans for returning to America?

Following her father’s death, Lizzie planned to return to the United States, this time heading to Chicago, Illinois. She was to travel with her cousin, Robert Mernagh, who was from New Ross, Co Wexford, and had also previously spent time in the USA.

What were the details of Lizzie’s Titanic booking?

Lizzie boarded the Titanic at Queenstown (now Cobh) as a third-class passenger. Her ticket details were:

• Ticket Number: 368702
• Fare: £7 15s (7 pounds, 15 shillings)

The White Star Line listed her brother Jeremiah Doyle, a postman from Bree, Enniscorthy, County Wexford, as her next of kin.

Fate During the Disaster

What happened to Lizzie Doyle on the night of April 14-15, 1912?

Tragically, Lizzie Doyle did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. As a third-class passenger, her chances of reaching a lifeboat were significantly reduced. Her body, if recovered, was never identified.

Legacy and Remembrance

How was Lizzie Doyle remembered after the disaster?

Despite her untimely death at the age of 29 (twenty-nine), Lizzie Doyle left a lasting impact:

1. Her estate, valued at a modest £10, was administered to her brother Jeremiah on April 10, 1913.
2. Her brother and sister received £15 from the Titanic Relief Fund.
3. Eliza is memorialized on the family headstone in St. David’s church cemetery, Davdstown, Co Wexford, Ireland.

Lizzie’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the many lives cut short by the Titanic disaster. Her journey, from a small town in Ireland to the ill-fated voyage of the world’s most famous ship, encapsulates the dreams and tragedies of many third-class passengers who sought a better life across the Atlantic.