Mrs Sarah Elizabeth Chapman

Who was Sarah Elizabeth Chapman?

Sarah Elizabeth Chapman was a 30 (thirty) year-old English woman who tragically lost her life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. She was a second-class passenger traveling with her husband, John Henry Chapman, on what was meant to be a journey to start their new life together in America.

Early Life and Background

A Cornish Upbringing

Sarah Elizabeth Chapman (née Lawry) was born in the spring of 1882 in Tremorkin, St Neot, Liskeard, Cornwall, England. She was baptized on October 6, 1882. Her parents were:

William Henry Lawry (born 1848): A farmer
Emma Hill (born 1849)

Sarah grew up with three siblings:

William Joseph Edward (born 1880)
Emma Louisa (born 1884)
Charles Edwards Hill (born 1889)

Family Tragedies and Changes

Sarah’s early life was marked by significant family events:

December 29, 1891: Her father passed away when Sarah was just 9 (nine) years old.
April 10, 1910: Sarah’s mother died, leaving her and her siblings orphaned.

How did Sarah’s life unfold before the Titanic?

Sarah’s life took several turns in the years leading up to her fateful Titanic journey:

In the 1901 census, 19-year-old Sarah was living in St Neot with no stated profession.
By 1911, Sarah and her brother Charles were residing at Dye House in St Neot. Charles worked as a tin miner, while Sarah still had no stated occupation.
Sarah’s brothers emigrated to the United States:
- William, a carpenter, moved to Canada around 1906 and then settled in Fitchburgh, Dane, Wisconsin in 1909.
- Charles followed suit, emigrating to Wisconsin in 1911.

A Long-Distance Romance

For many years, Sarah had been corresponding with her childhood sweetheart, John Henry Chapman. John had emigrated in 1906 and made his home in Spokane, Washington since 1910. Their relationship blossomed despite the distance, leading to an engagement.

The Wedding and Titanic Journey

A Christmas Wedding

In November 1911, John Chapman returned to Cornwall with the intention of marrying Sarah. The couple wed on Boxing Day (December 26) 1911 at the Wesleyan Chapel, marking the beginning of their short-lived marriage.

Boarding the Titanic

Mr. and Mrs. Chapman boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as second-class passengers. Their ticket details were:

Detail	Information
Ticket Number	29037
Cost	£26
Purchased From	George & Co of Liskeard

Did you know? There was some confusion about the Chapmans’ final destination. Some sources claimed they were headed to John’s home in Spokane, while others suggested they were traveling to Sarah’s brother William’s home in Fitzburgh, Wisconsin. It’s possible they planned to visit Wisconsin en route to their new life in Spokane.

What happened to Sarah on the night of the Titanic’s sinking?

On the tragic night of April 14-15, 1912, Sarah Elizabeth Chapman faced a heart-wrenching decision that would ultimately cost her life. According to Mrs. Emily Richards, a fellow passenger:

The Chapmans, along with the Drews, Hockings, and Richards families, waited on deck together during the evacuation.
When it came time to board lifeboat 4, Sarah was initially following Mrs. Richards.
Realizing her husband John would not be allowed to accompany her, Sarah made the fateful choice to stay with him.

Sarah’s last words to Mrs. Richards were, “Goodbye Mrs Richards, if John can’t go, I won’t go either.”

Both Sarah and John Chapman perished in the sinking. While John’s body was recovered and buried at Fairview Lawn Cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sarah’s body was never identified if it was recovered at all.

Legacy and Remembrance

A Touching Memorial

The Chapmans are remembered on a family headstone in St Neot’s Cemetery, belonging to Sarah’s aunt Emma Elizabeth Lawry (1853-1934). The inscription reads:

IN LOVING MEMORY OF JOHN HENRY CHAPMAN AGED 35 YEARS ALSO OF HIS WIFE SARAH ELIZABETH CHAPMAN AGED 30 YEARS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES THROUGH THE SINKING OF THE TITANIC IN 1912. PEACE, PERFECT PEACE

The Fate of Sarah’s Brothers

William remained in the USA, becoming a naturalized citizen in 1928. He settled in Wisconsin, married, raised a family, and passed away in 1959.
Charles also stayed in the USA, working as a farmhand in Oregon, Dane, Wisconsin until his death in 1934.

Sarah Elizabeth Chapman’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the many lives lost in the Titanic disaster. Her decision to remain with her husband in their final moments exemplifies the depth of human love and sacrifice in the face of tragedy.