Ernest Edward Samuel Freeman

Ernest Edward Samuel Freeman (1867–1912) was a member of the crew of the RMS Titanic. He died when the ship sank.

Early life

Freeman was born in 1867 in Clapham Junction, London to Captain S. W. Kearney Freeman, R.N. and his wife, Josephine.

The 1871 Census records Freeman living in Angier Terrace, Hampstead . Ten years later, Freeman was lodging at 85, Vine St, Liverpool and is described as a scholar on the census records. The same year, his mother was living at Erroll Cottage, Station Road, Lambeth.

Career

Freeman does not appear on the 1881 Census, possibly indicating that he was away at sea at the time the census was taken. Similarly, he is not mentioned on the 1901 census, although at that time, his wife, Mary, and daughter, Gladys lived at 10, Eskdale Road, Walton on the Hill, Liverpool.

Freeman was living with his wife and daughter at 5, Hanley Road, Southampton at the time of the 1911 Census. He stated this to be his address when he joined the Titanic. He gave his occupation as 'sailor'.

Prior to his time on the Titanic, Freeman worked on another White Star Line vessel, the RMS Olympic Freeman joined the Titanic at Belfast on 1^st April 1912 for its delivery trip to Southampton and was also a crew member for the maiden voyage. He was listed as 'Chief Deck Steward' and it has been claimed that he was a secretary to J. Bruce Ismay, the Chairman of White Star Line and its parent company, the International Mercantile Marine Co. . However, it has been argued that this is unlikely as William Henry Harrison, Ismay's secretary was travelling with his employer as a First Class passenger, and that Freeman was more likely to have been a former secretary of Ismay.

Titanic Sinking and Aftermath

Freeman died when Titanic sank. His Body recovered by the ship Mackay-Bennett and was given the number 239. He was buried at Fairview Lawn Cemetery Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on Friday 10 May 1912 . His headstone was paid for by Ismay and was inscribed "In Memoriam Ernest Edward Samuel Freeman, last surviving son of Captain S. W. Kearney Freeman, R.N., husband of Laura May Jane Freeman. Lost in the Titanic disaster, April 15, 1912. He remained at his post of duty, seeking to save others. Regardless of his own life and went down with the ship. 239. Erected by Mr J. Bruce Ismay. To commemorate a long and faithful service"

Ismay arranged for a personal pension to be paid to Freeman's family. He was listed in the Mansion House Titanic Relief Fund Booklet, March 1913 as Number 406. His dependant were listed as "Maria Jane Freeman, Gladys Dorothy, Colombatti and Helena Josephine".

Mary returned to Liverpool sometime after the disaster, where she died. Freeman is commemorated on her headstone located at Walton Park Cemetery, Walton, Liverpool, England. It reads "In memoriam. Madeline Josephine beloved child of E & L freeman died May 19th 1896 aged 12 months. Just came to win thy parent's love and then to heaven withdrew. Also Ernest Edward Freeman lost in Titanic disaster April 15th 1912 aged 50 years. Also Mary Jane, beloved wife of the above who died August 14th 1938 aged 77 years"

Both Freeman and Mary's ages are incorrectly stated in this inscription. Assuming census data are correct, Freeman died aged 45 (± 1yr) and his wife aged 72 (± 1yr).

Links

Biography of Ernest Edward Samuel Freeman on Encyclopedia Titanica