Edward Castleman

Mr Edward Castleman was born in Littleton, Hampshire, England in late 1874 and his birth was registered in Andover in the last quarter of that year. 
He was the son of Henry Castleman (1831-1893), an agricultural labourer, and Elizabeth Lock (1836-1906), both natives of Barton Stacey, Hampshire who were married in 1874.

His father was first married in 1844 to Charlotte Rose (b. circa 1827), with whom he had seven known children: Fanny (b. 1849), Rose (b. 1852), Kate (b. 1855), Rose (b. 1858), Ellen (b. 1860), Alice (b. 1864) and Sarah (b. 1865). 

Charlotte Castleman died sometime between 1869 and 1874 and her widower Henry was remarried in 1874 to Elizabeth Lock. 

Edward had two siblings from his father's second marriage: Fred (b. 1876) and Martha (b. 1880).

Edward first appears on the 1881 census when he and his family were residing at Harestock Farm in Littleton, Hampshire where his father was described as an agricultural labourer and his mother as a dairywoman. They were at the same address on the 1891 census when Edward, aged 16, was described as a farm servant. Edward does not appear on the 1901 census, but his then-widowed mother was living with his married sister Martha Dabell at 13 Lisbon Road, Shirley, Southampton.

Edward was married in South Stoneham, Hampshire in early 1905 to Kate Amy Marchant (b. 4 October 1876 in Havant, Hampshire), daughter of brickyard foreman Thomas Marchant and the former Harriet Hall. 

Edward and Kate remained childless; by the time of the 1911 census Edward was absent but his wife was recorded as residing at the home of her parents Thomas and Harriett Marchant at Waterloo Road, Denmead, Cosham, Hampshire.

When he signed on to the Titanic on 6 April 1912 Castleman gave his address as 37 North Road, St Denys, Hampshire and his previous ship as the Olympic. As a greaser he could expect to earn monthly wages of £6, 10s. Also serving aboard was his brother-in-law Walter Alexander Bishop, the husband of his sister Martha.

Edward Castleman died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified. The following death notice appeared in the Southern Daily Echo (30 April 1912):

Castleman--April 15th 1912 at sea, through the foundering of the S.S. Titanic, Edward Castleman, aged 37, the devoted husband of Kate Amy Castleman, of 37 North Road, St Denys, Southampton.  "In the midst of life, we are in death."

Kate Amy Castleman was remarried in 1914 to off-licensee James Frederick Stevens (1865-1961). She remained in Southampton and spent her final days living at 11 Richmond Road. She died there on 4 January 1948, leaving an estate of £3316, 9s, 2d.