Samuel James Hayden Sobey
Mr Samuel James Hayden Sobey
Who was Samuel James Hayden Sobey?
Samuel James Hayden Sobey, better known as Hayden, was a 25 (twenty-five) year-old English quarryman who tragically lost his life aboard the RMS Titanic. Born on November 6, 1886, in St Keverne, Cornwall, Sobey was a second-class passenger embarking on a journey to start a new life in America when disaster struck.
Early Life and Cornish Roots
A Family of Eight in St Keverne
Hayden Sobey was one of eight children born to Richard Sobey (1846-1930), a fisherman, and Mary Jane Hayden (1852-1915). His siblings included:
- Mary Elizabeth (1880-1958)
- William John (1882-1960)
- Adelaide Gladys (1885-1959)
- Arthur Richard (1888-1968)
- Thomas Elliott (1890-1968)
- Lois Jane (1892-1896)
- Irene Maud (1893-1951)
Interestingly, Hayden’s mother had another child, Emily (born 1868), whose father remains unknown.
From Farm Laborer to Quarryman
Hayden’s early life was marked by hard work and humble beginnings:
- In the 1891 census, he was living with his family in Porthallow, St Keverne.
- By 1901, at age 14, he had left school and was working as a general laborer on a farm in nearby Halwyn.
- The 1911 census records him back in the family home, now employed as an unmarried stone quarryman.
The Fateful Titanic Journey
Why was Sobey aboard the Titanic?
Hayden Sobey had decided to emigrate to America with two friends from his locality, Fred Banfield and Joseph Fillbrook. Their destination was Houghton, Michigan, where they planned to work in the copper mines, following in the footsteps of relatives who had already settled there.
Titanic Ticket Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Class | 2nd Class |
| Ticket Number | 29178 |
| Fare | £13 |
| Embarkation Point | Southampton |
Sobey boarded the Titanic at Southampton, embarking on what he hoped would be a journey to a new life and opportunities in America.
Fate During the Disaster
What happened to Hayden Sobey?
Tragically, Hayden Sobey did not survive the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. At the young age of 25 (twenty-five), his life was cut short in one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.
- Body Recovery: If Sobey’s body was recovered, it was never identified.
- Survival Status: Confirmed as a victim of the disaster.
Legacy and Family Aftermath
How did the Sobey family cope after the tragedy?
The loss of Hayden Sobey had a lasting impact on his family:
- His parents and siblings continued to live in Cornwall.
- Mary Jane, his mother, passed away in 1915, just three years after losing her son.
- Richard, his father, lived until 1930.
- Hayden’s surviving siblings all died within a few years of each other in the 1950s and 1960s.
Remembering Samuel James Hayden Sobey
Samuel James Hayden Sobey’s story is a poignant reminder of the many lives cut short by the Titanic disaster. A young man with dreams of a better future in America, Sobey represents the aspirations and tragic fate of many second-class passengers aboard the ill-fated ship. His journey from the quarries of Cornwall to the decks of the Titanic serves as a touching testament to the human stories behind one of history’s most famous tragedies.
Andre Nolan is an avid Titanic historian and the creator of TitanicUniverse.com, a website dedicated to uncovering the untold stories and forgotten details behind the famous ocean liner.
With a lifelong passion for maritime history, Andre has spent over a decade researching the Titanic, from the personal lives of passengers and crew to the engineering marvels that made the ship an icon of its era.
When he's not immersed in Titanic lore, Andre enjoys connecting with fellow maritime history lovers, exploring historic ships and shipwrecks.