Mrs Sarah Maybell Beckwith

Who was Sarah Maybell Beckwith?

Sarah Maybell Beckwith, known as Sallie, was a 46 (forty-six) year-old American first-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic. Born on September 21, 1865, in Columbus, Ohio, she survived the tragic sinking of the ship on April 15, 1912. Sallie’s life was marked by her high-society connections, frequent travels, and her experience as a Titanic survivor.

Early Life and Family Background

What was Sallie’s family history?

Sallie came from a diverse family background:

Father: William Monypeny (1830-1899), Irish-born from Co Armagh
Mother: Maria Brunson (1834-1920), native of Ohio
Parents married: February 5, 1854, in Clermont, Ohio

Her siblings included:

Charles (1854-1881)
William Brunson (1860-1912)
George Brunson (1866-1903)
Perrin Brunson (1878-1953)

How did Sallie’s early life shape her future?

Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, Sallie’s father worked as a commission merchant. This upbringing in a business-oriented family likely contributed to her later life in high society. Her early years set the stage for a life of travel and social connections that would ultimately lead her to board the Titanic.

Marriages and Family Life

Sallie’s personal life was marked by two marriages:

First marriage:
- Husband: Logan Conway Newsom (b. February 6, 1851)
- Wedding date: December 2, 1885
- Children:
  - William Monpeny (b. 1887)
  - Helen Monypeny Newsom (b. 1892)
- Logan’s death: June 28, 1901
Second marriage:
- Husband: Richard Leonard Beckwith (b. 1874)
- Wedding date: September 25, 1903
- Residence: Manhattan, New York

The Titanic Journey

Why was the Beckwith family on the Titanic?

In early 1912, the Beckwiths had been touring Europe with their daughter Helen. The trip served a dual purpose:

Leisure travel
An attempt to discourage Helen’s romantic involvement with tennis player Karl Behr

What were the details of their Titanic booking?

Detail	Information
Class	1st Class
Ticket Number	11751
Fare	£52 11s 1d
Cabin	D35
Port of Embarkation	Southampton

The Night of the Disaster

How did the Beckwiths survive the sinking?

On the fateful night of April 14-15, 1912, the Beckwith party’s survival unfolded as follows:

Assembled on the starboard boat deck after abandonment orders
Joined by Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Nelson Kimball and Karl Behr
Mrs. Kimball asked Bruce Ismay if they could all board a lifeboat
Ismay replied, “Of course madam, every one of you.”
The entire group entered Lifeboat 5 and were saved

Life After the Titanic

The aftermath of the Titanic disaster brought both personal loss and unwanted developments for Sallie:

December 3, 1912: Death of her brother William
Less than a year after the sinking: Helen married Karl Behr, despite Sallie’s disapproval

How did Sallie spend her later years?

Despite the trauma of the Titanic sinking, Sallie continued to lead an active life:

Resided primarily in Manhattan
Spent time in New Hampshire
Traveled frequently with her husband to France, England, Monaco, and Italy
Member of the Colony Club
Served on the board of managers for the West Side Day Nursery and Christadora House

Final Years and Legacy

Sallie’s later life was marked by personal losses:

1933: Widowed when Richard died at age 58
1942: Death of her son William

Sallie Beckwith, a woman who survived one of history’s greatest maritime disasters, lived a long and eventful life spanning nearly nine decades.

Sarah Maybell Beckwith passed away on February 11, 1955, at her home on 224 East Sixty-First Street, Manhattan. She was 89 (eighty-nine) years old. Her remains were cremated, leaving behind a legacy as a Titanic survivor and a woman who lived through remarkable changes in the early 20th century.