Mrs Mary Elizabeth Davison

Who was Mary Elizabeth Davison?

Mary Elizabeth Davison was a 34 (thirty-four) year old English passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on February 19, 1878, in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England, she embarked on the ill-fated voyage as a third-class passenger with her husband, Thomas Henry Davison. Her remarkable story of survival and subsequent life in America offers a compelling glimpse into the experiences of Titanic survivors.

Early Life and Background

A Family of German and English Roots

Mary Elizabeth Davison, née Finkenagel, came from a diverse family background:

• Father: John Finkenagel (born 1837), of German origin
• Mother: Elizabeth Phillips (born 1841), from Rochdale, Lancashire, England

Mary was one of ten children, growing up in a large family that included:

1. George (born 1862)
2. Conrad (born 1866)
3. Mary (born 1868)
4. Ida (born 1869)
5. John (born 1874)
6. Frederick (born 1876)
7. Henry (born 1880)
8. Alice (born 1885)
9. Frederick (born 1886)

From Wiltshire to Ohio

The Finkenagel family’s journey took them from Wiltshire to America:

1. Initially lived in Westport St Mary, Wiltshire
2. Moved to Malmesbury around 1873
3. Ran a boarding house on Church Street, Malmesbury
4. Many family members, including Mary’s parents, emigrated to Cleveland, Ohio

Life Before the Titanic

Marriage and Loss

Mary’s life before the Titanic was marked by both joy and tragedy:

• Married Thomas Henry Davison in 1902 in Malmesbury
• Thomas was a blacksmith from Chippenham, born in 1880
• The couple had two children, including Thomas Henry (born 1907)
• Tragically, both children died in infancy
• In 1911, the Davisons lived at 32 Marshfield Road, Chippenham

The Decision to Emigrate

What led the Davisons to board the Titanic?

The couple had previously spent time in Cleveland, Ohio, around 1908, where Mary’s parents had settled. This experience likely influenced their decision to emigrate permanently to Bedford, Ohio. Seeking a new life in America, they booked passage on the RMS Titanic, embarking at Southampton as third-class passengers.

The Titanic Journey

Ticket and Fare Details

• Ticket Number: 386525
• Fare: £16 2s (16 pounds, 2 shillings)

The Fateful Night

Mary’s account of the Titanic’s sinking provides a harrowing glimpse into the chaos and terror of that night:

“We had retired when the crash came. Harry threw on some clothing and started on deck to see what was the matter. As we came on the deck we saw men and women fighting about the lifeboats. Some of the boats were lowered and everyone was shouting and pushing about the boat. Harry pulled me into a crowd that was struggling about one of the boats that was being loaded. One of the officers kept crying ‘Women first Get back Women first’. Then someone grabbed me and threw me into the boat.”

Survival and Loss

• Mary was rescued, likely in lifeboat 10
• Her husband, Thomas Henry Davison, tragically perished in the disaster
• Mary vividly described the freezing conditions and the emotional toll of the rescue:

“The cold was intense. We were afraid to move for fear of sinking the boat. Water kept coming into it until there were several inches on the bottom. Ice bumped against us at times. It seemed dawn would never come. The sailors kept rowing all night. The strain was terrible. A woman fainted and a man began to laugh and sob toward morning.”

Life After the Titanic

New Beginnings in America

How did Mary rebuild her life after the tragedy?

1. Never returned to England
2. Remarried on July 29, 1913, in Warrensville, Ohio, to Fred Buescher (1881-1944)
3. Divorced from Buescher
4. Married for a third time on September 6, 1917, to Henry Godwin (born 1879), also from Malmesbury
5. Settled in Cleveland, Ohio, later residing at 12821 Martson Street

Mary’s Final Years

Mary Elizabeth Davison’s life came to an end on March 26, 1939, at the age of 61 (sixty-one). She succumbed to cancer and was laid to rest in Bedford Cemetery, Bedford, Ohio. Her husband, Henry Godwin, joined her in eternal rest on November 7, 1950.

Legacy and Remembrance

A Tangible Link to History

What physical reminder of Mary’s Titanic experience still exists today?

Remarkably, the skirt Mary wore when leaving the Titanic remains in her family’s possession, serving as a poignant connection to that fateful night and her incredible survival story.

Mary Elizabeth Davison’s journey from a small town in England to becoming a Titanic survivor and building a new life in America exemplifies the resilience and determination of those who lived through one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.