Miss Nellie Mayo Bessette

Who was Nellie Mayo Bessette?

Nellie Mayo Bessette was a 39 (thirty-nine) year-old American first-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic. Born on October 7, 1872, in Whiting, Addison, Vermont, Nellie worked as a personal maid to wealthy New York widow Mrs. Ella Holmes White. Her journey on the Titanic would become a defining moment in her life, as she survived the tragic sinking and lived to tell her tale.

Early Life and Background

Family and Upbringing

Nellie was born to Joseph Bessette, a French-Canadian from Québec, and Sophriona Mayo, a native of Addison, Vermont. Her parents married on December 10, 1868, in Brandon, Vermont. Nellie had only one known sibling:

Oliver Bessette (born 1877, died March 7, 1888)

Tragically, Nellie’s mother passed away on January 22, 1880, when Nellie was just 7 (seven) years old. Following this loss, the 1880 census shows Nellie and her brother living under the care of their uncle, Abram Bessette, and his family in Whiting.

Early Career

Nellie’s professional life began with her employment for the wealthy New Yorker Hubert William Denton (1856-1925) and his family in Whiting. The 1900 census listed her as a nurse in their household, though later records would identify her as a cousin. Nellie’s father also came to live with the Denton family during this time.

By 1910, records show Nellie working in Lakewood, New Jersey, indicating her move away from her hometown and the start of her career in domestic service for wealthy families.

Titanic Journey

How did Nellie come to be on the Titanic?

By 1912, Nellie had secured a position as a personal maid to Mrs Ella Holmes White, a wealthy New York widow. It was in this capacity that Nellie found herself boarding the RMS Titanic at Cherbourg on April 10, 1912.

Titanic Voyage Details

Class: First Class
Ticket Number: 17760
Cabin: C99
Fare: £63 7s 2d
Embarked: Cherbourg

Nellie traveled alongside her employer, Mrs. White, as well as Mrs. White’s manservant Sante Righini and friend Marie Grice Young. This group of four would face the impending disaster together.

The Night of the Sinking

How did Nellie survive the Titanic disaster?

When the Titanic struck the iceberg on the night of April 14, 1912, Nellie’s status as a first-class passenger and her association with Mrs. White likely played a crucial role in her survival. Nellie, along with Mrs. White and Miss Young, managed to escape the sinking ship in lifeboat 8.

Nellie’s survival of the Titanic disaster was a testament to both luck and her position as a first-class passenger’s maid.

Life After the Titanic

What became of Nellie after the disaster?

Following the Titanic disaster, the exact duration of Nellie’s employment with Mrs. White remains unclear. However, records show that she and her father continued to live with the Denton family in Whiting, Vermont.

After Hubert Denton’s death in the 1920s, Nellie remained with his son, Sherwood Denton, in the family home. She later transitioned to working as a hotel housekeeper, showcasing her continued dedication to domestic service.

Personal Life and Later Years

Nellie never married and spent the remainder of her life with the Denton family, working as a housekeeper. Her father passed away on September 16, 1924, leaving Nellie as the last of her immediate family.

Nellie’s Legacy

How is Nellie remembered today?

Nellie Mayo Bessette’s life serves as a unique window into the experiences of domestic workers in the early 20th century, particularly those who served wealthy families and traveled extensively. Her survival of the Titanic disaster adds a dramatic chapter to her life story, connecting her to one of the most famous maritime tragedies in history.

Nellie passed away on July 23, 1944, at the age of 71 (seventy-one), succumbing to spinal cancer. She was laid to rest alongside her parents and younger brother at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Cornwall, Vermont, where her grave stands as a testament to her remarkable life and survival.

Nellie’s story continues to fascinate Titanic enthusiasts and historians, offering insights into the experiences of first-class passengers and their staff during that fateful voyage. Her resilience in the face of personal tragedy and historical calamity serves as an inspiring tale of survival and dedication.