Mrs Mabel Bennett

Mrs Mabel Bennett was born as Mabel Kate Pilgrim on 22 September 1878 in Eling, Hampshire, England.  She was the daughter of James Pilgrim (1848-1933), a labourer, and Sarah Ann Groom (1847-1935).

At the time of the 1881 census Mabel and her family were living at 7 Netley Tole Gate, New Forest, Hampshire. Her siblings at this time were Sarah Louisa, James, Emily and Charles. A further three children would be born by the time of the 1891 census: Maud, Rose and Ada.

Mabel was married in Southampton in 1905 to George William Bennett. The couple had one child, a daughter named Mabel Emily who was born in Peckham, London in 1906.

Mabel's sister Emily (1872-1954) was married to Titanic survivor Alfred Crawford¹.  Mabel was also the aunt of Saloon Steward Leonard Hoare².

At the time of the 1911 census Mabel and her daughter were living with her sister and brother-in-law at 17 Frederick Street, Southampton.

When she signed-on to the Titanic on 6 April 1912 she gave her address as 22 Cranbury Avenue, Southampton, the same address given by her brother-in-law. She had previoously served as a stewardess aboard the Olympic and experienced the collision with HMS Hawke in 1911. As a stewardess she received monthly wages of £3 10s.

She was rescued in lifeboat 5.

What became of Mrs Bennett's marriage to George William Bennett is not certain. She was however remarried in mid-1918 in New Forest to John W. Walker (1882-1964). The couple settled in New Forest. Mabel became a widow in 1964. She herself passed away in 1974 aged 96.

Notes

1. He was the husband of Mabel's sister Emily.
2. He was the son of Mabel's sister Sarah Louise.

References and Sources

British Census
General Register Office Index of Births, Marriages and Deaths
Crew Particulars of Engagement
Agreement and Account of Crew (PRO London, BT100/259)