Mrs Edith Peacock (née Nile)

Edith Peacock
(© Geoff Whitfield, UK)

Mrs Benjamin Peacock (Edith Nile) was born in Carnkie near Illogan, Cornwall in 1886. The daughter of Mr Richard Nile (Tin Miner and latterly Mine Engine driver) and Mrs Mary Ann Nile. She was sister to William James, Richard, Alfred, Samuel Charles, Philip, Frederick, Harry Foster, Sarah Jane and Beatrice.

She left Cornwall to work in service in London in 1906. She later married Mr Benjamin Peacock and by early 1911 they had moved to live at 34 Orchard Place in Southampton where her husband was a mechanical engineer. They had two children, Miss Treasteall Peacock and Master Alfred Edward Peacock (An interesting point is that at the birth registration of her son in 1911 Edith's christian name was incorrectly recorded as Treasteall).

The decision was subsequently made to emigrate to Elizabeth, New Jersey, however, at the time they were due to sail Edith fell ill and her husband travelled alone to America. She latterly secured passage aboard Titanic under ticket number 3101315 costing £13 15s 6d with the intention of re-joining her husband in America.

She, and her two children, Treasteall Peacock and Alfred Edward Peacock travelled in third class, all three perished in the sinking. Her mother Mrs Nile and aunt Mrs Goldsworthy were quoted in the press as saying '..it seemed uncertain if they died in their berths or if she preferred to remain on board rather than risking her children in the frail lifeboats..'

Documents
Elizabeth Daily Journal, 16 April 1912, Elizabethans on Board Big Liner Titanic
Elizabeth Daily Journal, 20 April 1912, Article
Elizabeth Daily Journal, 23 April 1912, Peacock Still Hoping to Find Brothers
Elizabeth Daily Journal, 6 May 1912, Two Brothers Not on Titanic

References
Contract Ticket List, White Star Line 1912 (National Archives, New York; NRAN-21-SDNYCIVCAS-55[279])
Marriages, births, deaths and injuries that have occurred on board during the voyage (PRO London, BT 100/259-260)

Contributors
Steve Coombes, UK
Chris Dohany, USA
Brian Ticehurst, UK
Geoff Whitfield, UK

Travelling Companions (on same ticket)
Master Alfred Edward Peacock
Miss Treasteall Peacock