Miss Treasteall Peacock

Miss Treasteall Peacock was a young English passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born in 1908 in Southampton, Hampshire, England, she was just 4 (four) years old when she embarked on what would be her final journey. Treasteall’s story is a poignant reminder of the many young lives lost in one of the most tragic maritime disasters in history.

Early Life and Family Background

Who were Treasteall Peacock’s parents?

Treasteall was born to Benjamin Peacock and Edith Nile. Her father, born in 1886, was an engineer and former Royal Navy man hailing from Dulwich, London. Her mother, born in 1885, was from Illogan, Cornwall. Treasteall had a younger brother, Albert Edward Peacock, born in 1911. Sadly, the family had already experienced loss, with another child dying in infancy.

What was Treasteall’s life like before the Titanic?

Prior to the fateful Titanic voyage, Treasteall’s life was centered in Southampton. The 1911 census records show her living with her mother at 17 Orchard Place, Southampton. This period marked a significant change for the family, as Treasteall’s father had left England in 1911 to seek new opportunities in America.

The Journey to America

Why was the Peacock family traveling to America?

The Peacock family’s journey to America was driven by the promise of a new life. Benjamin Peacock had settled in Newark, New Jersey, where he worked at the power house of the Public Service Corporation and lived at 609 South Broad Street. Having established himself, he sent funds for his wife and children to join him in America.

Benjamin Peacock, eagerly awaiting his family’s arrival, had purchased a baby carriage for his newborn and toys for Treasteall, highlighting the joyful reunion he anticipated.

Titanic Voyage

What were the details of the Peacocks’ Titanic journey?

• Embarkation: Southampton
• Class: 3rd Class
• Ticket Number: 3101315
• Fare: £13 15s 6d

Treasteall, along with her mother Edith Peacock and baby brother Albert, boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912. They were among the many third-class passengers hoping for a new life in America.

The Tragic Night

What happened to the Peacock family during the sinking?

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, as the Titanic was sinking, a heart-wrenching scene unfolded. John Collins, a young Belfast crewman and scullion, encountered a steward trying to assist a woman with two children. This woman, believed to be Edith Peacock, was holding one child while the steward carried the other.

Collins took one of the children, and the group desperately searched for a lifeboat. They spotted a collapsible boat but were directed to move aft. In a tragic turn of events, a wave washed them off the deck, and the child Collins was carrying was swept from his arms.

What was the fate of Treasteall Peacock?

Tragically, Mrs. Peacock and both her children, including Treasteall, were lost in the sinking. Their bodies, if recovered, were never identified. This heart-wrenching account underscores the chaos and horror of the Titanic’s final moments, particularly for third-class passengers.

Legacy

How is Treasteall Peacock remembered?

Treasteall Peacock’s story, though brief, serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives cut short by the Titanic disaster. Her tale, intertwined with that of her family, highlights the dreams and aspirations of those seeking a better life in America, only to have those hopes tragically dashed.

Today, Treasteall is remembered as one of the youngest victims of the Titanic, her story a testament to the indiscriminate nature of the tragedy that claimed lives regardless of age or circumstance.

Interesting Facts About Treasteall Peacock

• Born in 1908, Treasteall was one of the youngest passengers on the Titanic.
• She was traveling with her mother and infant brother to reunite with her father in America.
• The Peacock family’s ticket for the Titanic journey cost £13 15s 6d, a significant sum for third-class passage at the time.
• Treasteall’s story is often recounted in discussions about the fate of children and families aboard the Titanic, particularly those in third class.

The story of Treasteall Peacock, a young life full of potential, continues to evoke emotion and serve as a somber reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster over a century later.