Mr Thomas Henry Conlin

Who was Thomas Henry Conlin?

Thomas Henry Conlin was a 30 (thirty) year-old Irish-American passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born in July 1880, Conlin was a general labourer who embarked on the Titanic’s maiden voyage as a third-class passenger. His journey would tragically end with the sinking of the ship on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Background

What was Thomas Conlin’s upbringing?

Thomas Conlin’s early life is shrouded in some mystery. While US census records indicate he was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, contemporary 1912 newspapers claim he was born in Ireland and migrated to the United States as a young child. This discrepancy in his birthplace remains a subject of historical debate.

Family and Relationships

• Had a sister named Mary living in Chicago, Illinois by April 1912
• Lived with his widowed uncle Edward Conlin in Philadelphia
• Engaged to be married to a woman named Lena Keyes (identity unclear)

Career and Personal Life

Thomas Conlin’s professional life evolved over the years:

1. In 1900: Described as an unmarried driver
2. In 1910: Listed as a printer
3. By 1912: Working as a general labourer

Conlin was a devout Roman Catholic, actively involved in St. Edward’s Church in Philadelphia. He was known for his:

• Participation in the parish total abstinence society
• Membership in the B.V.M. Sodality and the Holy Name Society
• Strong advocacy for abstinence

Titanic Journey

Why did Thomas Conlin board the Titanic?

Thomas Conlin boarded the Titanic to return to Philadelphia after a winter spent visiting family in Ireland. In December 1911, he had traveled from Philadelphia to Liverpool aboard the Dominion of the American Line, then journeyed to Arvagh, Co Cavan, where he stayed with his uncle John Conlin and family.

Titanic Boarding Details

Who did Conlin meet aboard the Titanic?

While on the Titanic, Conlin became acquainted with other Irish passengers, notably the Murphy sisters, Margaret and Kate, who were from nearby Fostragh in Co Longford.

Fate During the Disaster

What happened to Thomas Conlin during the Titanic’s sinking?

Thomas Conlin did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. According to accounts, during the evacuation, he displayed an act of kindness:

It has been stated that during the evacuation he took off his greatcoat and gave it to the [Murphy] sisters to help keep them warm before they departed in a lifeboat.

Tragically, Conlin was lost in the sinking, and his body, if recovered, was never identified.

Legacy and Remembrance

How was Thomas Conlin remembered?

The Irish World on May 11, 1912, published a tribute to Conlin:

Thomas Conlin, Jr, thirty years old, of 2238 North Fairhill Street, this city, is counted among the victims of the Titanic disaster. He was seen on the ill-fated boat by survivors who knew him and was not among those rescued by the Carpathia.

His memory lives on as one of the many victims of the Titanic disaster, particularly noted for his Irish-American heritage and his final act of kindness aboard the ship.

What happened to Conlin’s family after his death?

Thomas Conlin’s uncle John in Ireland, who he had visited just months before the disaster, passed away a year after Thomas’s death. John Conlin died at his home on May 22, 1913, at the age of 79 (seventy-nine).

Thomas Henry Conlin’s story remains a poignant reminder of the many lives cut short by the Titanic tragedy, representing the hopes and dreams of immigrants seeking a better life across the Atlantic.