Miss Sara Rebecca Compton was born in Manhattan, New York on 30 April 1872.
She was the daughter of Alexander Taylor Compton (b. 1842) and Mary Eliza Ingersoll (b. 1847). Her father, a lawyer, was a native of Newark, New Jersey whilst her mother hailed from Westchester, New York. She had two siblings but lost one in infancy, her elder brother Lorin Ingersoll (1870-1872). Her surviving sibling was her younger brother Alexander Taylor (b. 1874). The family would appear on the 1880 census living in New York and on the 1885 census living in East Orange, New Jersey. Her father Alexander died on 30 January 1902 and the remaining family later settled in Lakewood, New Jersey.
Sara, also known as Sadie, together with her brother Alexander and their mother, she boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg as a first class passenger (joint ticket number PC 17756, £83, 3s, 2d). She occupied cabin E-49
Sara and her mother were rescued in lifeboat 14 but her brother Alexander was lost. Following their arrival in New York aboard the Carpathia she and her mother stayed at the Murray Hill Hotel in New York; her mother was reportedly devastated at the loss of her son.
Sara Compton never married and spent much of her later years in New Jersey and is also known to have spent time in Florida. She died in Miami 16 June 1952 aged 80 and was later cremated.
Comment and discuss
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Does anyone have any info on the life of Sara Compton? I've always imagined her life to be a dull one, being an unmarried woman of 40 who apparently still lived with her mother. But I suppose it's not fair to speculate. She at least would have had the consolation of being a fairly wealthy spinster, since she was ultimately the last Compton left. Her bio speaks of her spending her "retirement" near the New Jersey coastline. Did she have any sort of career? If anyone knows anything about this shadowy figure, I'd appreciate them passing it along. Thanks, Brian Ahern
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Have you read her story in Gracie's book? It starts on page 196 of the Jack Winocour edition. She spoke up in support of Fifth Officer Lowe. Gracie mentions that she was injured in the process of getting into boat 14.
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Thanks Dave - I knew I'd seen an account of hers somewhere. I guess it shows she wasn't a total shrinking violet. Still, it doesn't give much indication of the sort of life she led. Thanks, Brian
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Brian, Sara led an active life with many friends both in the northeast and in Florida. Although she traveled mainly in the United States after Titanic, she could afford to do most anything she wanted to do and did. She left no relatives of any sort (at least none that she was particularly close to) but her wide range of friends benefitted generously from her will. No unhappy and solitary spinster was she.
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Glad to hear it! Thanks a million, Phil. -Brian A.
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