Mr Samuel Greenberg

Who was Samuel Greenberg?

Samuel Greenberg was a 54 (fifty-four) year-old Russian businessman and second-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born in 1858 within the Russian Empire, possibly in Poland, Greenberg was a Jewish immigrant who had settled in New York City with his wife Annie. His tragic story encompasses a business trip to South Africa, a fateful return journey on the Titanic, and the devastating impact of his loss on his widow.

Early Life and Background

Family Roots and Siblings

Samuel Greenberg came from a Jewish family, with his parents being Elias Myer Greenberg and Toba Samuels. He had two brothers:

Simon (born 1857)
Max (born 1864)

The Greenberg brothers seemed to have a penchant for international living:

Max had resided in New York since the 1880s, where he married and raised a family.
Simon lived in New York for a time, marrying and starting a family before relocating to Johannesburg, South Africa around the late 1880s.

Marriage and Immigration

Samuel Greenberg’s personal life was marked by several key events:

Married Annie (born circa December 1870) around 1889
The couple had no children
Immigrated to the United States on May 30, 1909, aboard the ship Philadelphia
Settled at 471 Clinton Street, Manhattan, as per the 1910 census
Worked in the wool business

Titanic Journey

Business Trip to South Africa

Prior to boarding the Titanic, Samuel Greenberg had been on a business trip to South Africa. During this time, he:

Represented a New York firm as their South African representative
Visited his brother Simon in Johannesburg

Embarking on the Titanic

Greenberg’s return journey to New York took a fateful turn when he boarded the RMS Titanic:

Embarked at Southampton as a second-class passenger
Ticket number: 250647
Fare paid: £13

His destination was his home in the Bronx, New York, where his wife Annie awaited his return.

Fate During the Disaster

The Sinking and Recovery

Tragically, Samuel Greenberg did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. His body was later recovered by the Mackay Bennett, recorded as body #19. The description of his remains provided a poignant snapshot of his final moments:

NO. 19. - MALE. - ESTIMATED AGE, 50. HAIR, GREY, PARTLY BALD; MOUSTACHE. CLOTHING - Dressing gown; grey coat; green ditto; blue trousers. EFFECTS - 2 watches: $11 in American money; 6s in silver and gold; keys; bill, etc., in pocket, to S. Greenberg. NAME - SAMUEL GREENBERG.

Samuel Greenberg’s body was forwarded to his widow in the Bronx on May 3, 1912. He was laid to rest at Acacia Cemetery in Ozone Park, New York (Section: 27A, Row: 2, Grave: 5).

Impact on His Widow

The loss of Samuel Greenberg had severe consequences for his wife Annie:

At the time of his death, Annie was 55 years old and childless
The New York firm that employed Samuel had agreed to pay Annie a weekly stipend during his absence
This arrangement lapsed after two weeks, leaving Annie destitute when Samuel died

American Red Cross Assistance

The American Red Cross provided support to Annie Greenberg:

Case No. 161 (Russian)
$400 was used for Samuel’s burial and immediate needs
The remainder was paid in trust to the United Hebrew Charities
Annie received $1,011.20 from other relief sources
An insurance claim for $25,000 was filed

Legacy and Remembrance

Samuel Greenberg’s story is a poignant reminder of the many lives affected by the Titanic disaster. His journey from Russia to New York, his business endeavors in South Africa, and his tragic end on the Titanic encapsulate the interconnected nature of early 20th-century commerce and migration.

The loss of Samuel Greenberg not only devastated his wife Annie but also highlighted the precarious situation of many immigrants and their families in the face of unexpected tragedy. His tale serves as a somber reminder of the human cost behind the statistics of the Titanic disaster, and the ripple effects felt by families and communities in its aftermath.