Distinguished Voyage: SS Kensington Cabin Passenger List – Philadelphia to Liverpool, 15 June 1895

Front Cover of a Cabin Passenger List from the SS Kensington of the American Line, Departing 15 June 1895 from Philadelphia to Liverpool, Commanded by Captain Robert Bond. GGA Image ID # 212802c186

🚢 Review & Historical Context

On 15 June 1895, the SS Kensington of the American Line departed Philadelphia bound for Liverpool, under the experienced command of Captain Robert Bond. This passenger list offers an extraordinary cross-section of religious leaders, educators, professionals, military figures, and prominent families traveling during a period when ocean liners were the principal link between America and Europe.

The Kensington represented the prestige of the American Line’s transatlantic service—a blend of comfort, punctuality, and modernity. This voyage underscores the late-19th-century blend of business travel, academic exchange, religious mission work, leisure touring, and cultural diplomacy.

🗺 Route & Voyage Details

• Ship Name: SS Kensington
• Operator: American Line
• Departure Port: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
• Destination Port: Liverpool, England, UK
• Date of Departure: 15 June 1895
• Commanding Officer: Capt. Robert Bond
• Class Featured: Cabin Passengers

⚓ About the SS Kensington

• Launched: 1894 by William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia.
• Tonnage: ~8,800 gross tons.
• Service Speed: ~14 knots.
• Passenger Capacity: Around 1,200 in multiple classes.
• Notable Features: Designed to compete with British liners, with comfortable cabins and public rooms aimed at middle- to upper-class travelers.
• Typical Route: Philadelphia – Queenstown (Cobh) – Liverpool.

Senior Officers and Staff

1. Commander: Captain Robert Bond
2. Chief Officer: J. Watkins
3. Surgeon: Dr. Edgar Ivatts
4. Chief Engineer: H. J. Teiper
5. Chief Steward: J. Pengelly
6. Stewardess: Mrs. Mary A. Pierce

Cabin Passengers

1. Mr. O. Anderson
2. Dr. B. B. Adams
3. Rev. Chas. A. Austin
4. Mr. Andrew Bjorkman
5. Mr. J. H. Burrows
6. Mrs. J. H. Burrows
7. Rev. Wm. Bannard, D.D.
8. Mrs. H. B. Bagnard
9. Rev. Walter A. Brooks
10. Mr. Theodore Borden
11. Miss Helen P. Borden
12. Miss A. M. Bates
13. Miss Anna G. Baldwin
14. Mrs. Retta W. Bailey
15. Miss Vera A. Bailey
16. Mrs. A. M. Bratton
17. Mr. James Oscar Boyd
18. Mrs. H. Boswell and Children
19. Mr. Chas. Bond
20. Mr. Chas. E. Boyer
21. Mr. Arthur Byart
22. Miss Louise Boyd
23. Miss Margaret Boyd
24. Rev. E. K. Bell
25. Master Joseph H. Bromley
26. Master Chas. Bromley
27. Mr. Henry A. Bair
28. Mrs. Eliza Butler
29. Miss Nora Bennion
30. Miss Kate W. Baxton
31. Mr. David E. Cooper
32. Mrs. Clayton Cooper
33. Mr. Henry Crew
34. Miss W. B. Crew
35. Miss A. E. Crew
36. Dr. Mary J. Cochran
37. Mr. Wm. W. Conway
38. Miss B. Chamberlin
39. Miss Anna W. Crane
40. Miss Sarah Cramer
41. Mr. Wilfred Clarke
42. Mrs. C. Creely
43. Miss Katherine J. Campbell
44. Miss Helen M. Cook
45. Mrs. Jos. Cave
46. Miss Edna Cave
47. Mr. Herbert E. Cave
48. Mrs. Julia Cartwright
49. Rev. Father Cloehessey
50. Mrs. M. A. Darnell
51. Mr. E. J. Du Mée
52. Mrs. E. J. Du Mée
53. Miss Bertha M. Du Mée
54. Mrs. Anna B. Davidson
55. Miss Grace Davidson
56. Miss Alice M. Dudley
57. Mrs. J. Dean
58. Master Dean
59. Mr. E. G. Eckert
60. Mrs. B. English
61. Mrs. Annie Earle
62. Mrs. B. B. Foster
63. Rev. W. P. Finney
64. Mr. Julius W. Fischer
65. Mr. Robert Fair
66. Mrs. Clara E. Fraley
67. Mrs. J. E. Fackrell
68. Mr. David Foley
69. Mrs. David Foley
70. Miss Florence H. Gilmor
71. Miss Martha Lee Gilmor
72. Rev. Jno. S. Gilmor, D.D.
73. Mrs. John S. Gilmor
74. Rev. Loyal T. Graham, Jr.
75. Mrs. W. B. Gillespie
76. Mr. W. F. Garrett
77. Mrs. W. F. Garrett
78. Mrs. Mary Hudson
79. Mr. Geo. A. Hulings
80. Miss Fanny A. Hulings
81. Miss Rachel B. Humes
82. Miss Mary M. Hepburn
83. Mr. F. H. Holden
84. Mr. B. E. Holden
85. Miss Bertha E. Hawes
86. Miss Mabel C. Hawes
87. Mrs. Mary B. Hoskins
88. Mr. Joseph Harvey
89. Mr. A. E. Holmes
90. Mrs. A. E. Holmes
91. Mrs. C. W. Horricks and children
92. Miss Delphine Hanna, M.D.
93. Miss P. S. Hallock
94. Mr. H. B. Humes
95. Mrs. H. B. Humes
96. Mr. J. Lee Hall
97. Mr. J. A. Hall
98. Mrs. Mary Irvine
99. Mr. Newton A. Johnson
100. Mrs. Newton A. Johnson
101. Miss Julia Johnson
102. Miss Ruth Johnson
103. Mr. Edw. R. Kingsbury
104. Mrs. Edw. R. Kingsbury
105. Master Maurice Kingsbury
106. Miss Mary Keenan
107. Mr. Arthur M. Kennedy
108. Rev. M. Egbert Koonce
109. Rev. Jno. B. Kugler
110. Mrs. Jno. B. Kugler
111. Mrs. R. J. Larkin
112. Mr. Herman C. Lammers
113. Miss Hannah Lee
114. Mr. Dwight M. Ludington
115. Mrs. L. A. Lockwood
116. Miss T. L. Lockwood
117. Miss K. D. Lyon
118. Miss Mary Lynne
119. Mr. Geo. Spencer Morris
120. Mrs. Geo. Spencer Morris
121. Mrs. L. S. Murray
122. Mr. Matthew McCauley
123. Mrs. Matthew McCauley
124. Miss Jane McDonald
125. Mr. A. H. Melhorn
126. Mr. John F. McArdle
127. Mr. Wm. McNally
128. Mr. T. S. Mitchell
129. Mrs. T. S. Mitchell
130. Mr. David Mitchell
131. Miss Kate Mitchell
132. Mr. Louis Manss
133. Dr. W. Walter Martin
134. Rev. Rich Montgomery
135. Rev. F. E. Marsten, D.D.
136. Mr. C. B. Martin
137. Mr. Francis S. Mcllhenny
138. Mr. Theo. E. Mcllhenney
139. Mr. G. Planteau Middleton
140. Mrs. General Middleton
141. Miss Lizzie Maginnis
142. Miss M. Mortimer
143. Mr. W. N. Matey
144. Dr. J. J. McGrath
145. Mr. J. F. Maeder
146. Mrs. J. F. Maeder
147. Master Willie Maeder
148. Miss Anna McGough
149. Commodore T. V. McNair
150. Mrs. T. V. McNair
151. Master T. V. McNair
152. Mr. Dwight Mallory
153. Mr. P. M. Newton
154. Miss Maud St. J. Nichols
155. Mrs. Alice Nichols
156. Miss Frances E. Oliver
157. Mrs. Horace B. Pearson
158. Mr. S. M. Palmer
159. Mrs. S. M. Palmer
160. Mr. William C. Pistor
161. Miss E. S. Peirce
162. Miss Florence E. Pierce
163. Miss Edith Pusey
164. Mr. Jonathan Prichard
165. Mrs. Jonathan Prichard
166. Miss Annie Prichard
167. Mr. H. P. Painter
168. Miss Katie Punch
169. Mr. Fred Poole
170. Rev. Wm. M. Pettis
171. Mr. Alfred Parkinson
172. Mrs. F. C. Pierce
173. Mrs. Alicent Raby
174. Rev. M. E. Ross, D.D.
175. Rev. Alex. Rankin
176. Mrs. Alex. Rankin
177. Mrs. Ann Riley
178. Mr. W. S. Romney
179. Mrs. A. M. Sutton
180. Prof. J. Spiers
181. Mrs. J. Spiers, Children, and Nurse
182. Miss A. P. Shedden
183. Mr. G. H. Shirk
184. Miss Ada H. Simpson
185. Rev. J. E. Scott, D.D.
186. Miss A. Speakman
187. Mrs. P. Shaw
188. Mr. Chas. Smith
189. Mr. W. Irving Squire, Jr.
190. Mr. Frank Stone
191. Mr. Oliver C. Smith
192. Mrs. Oliver C. Smith
193. Mr. John Z. Turner
194. Miss Katherine E. Tyler
195. Mrs. W. Graham Tyler
196. Mr. James R. Taylor
197. Rev. A. J. Turkle
198. Rev. J. A. Worden, D.D.
199. Mrs. J. A. Worden
200. Miss Mary A. Worden
201. Miss Sarah Worden
202. Mrs. E. T. Wolf
203. Mr. H. E. Williams
204. Miss Alice Williams
205. Miss H. H. Winslow
206. Mrs. A. M. Winslow
207. Mr. Carlton M. Williams
208. Mrs. Carlton M. Williams
209. Miss Ottilie Wipper
210. Mr. Orrin T. Wightman
211. Miss Daisy Wood
212. Mrs. Sarah White and children
213. Rev. E. R. Wagner
214. Mr. Thos. Wolstenholme
215. Mrs. Thos. Wolstenholme
216. Miss Florence Wolstenholme
217. Mrs. James T. Young

🌟 Notable Individuals & Social Context

🎓 Academics

Prof. J. Spiers – Likely connected with advanced literary or linguistic studies, possibly traveling for academic lectures or conferences in Europe. Professors often combined summer research with cultural exploration.

✝️ Religious Leaders

Rev. Wm. Bannard, D.D. – A Doctor of Divinity, likely a prominent clergyman whose academic title suggests leadership in theological education.

Rev. Father Cloehessey – A Catholic priest, traveling during a time when transatlantic Catholic networks were strengthening.

Rev. M. Egbert Koonce – Known for work in pastoral ministry, possibly involved in missionary or ecclesiastical exchanges.

Rev. Jno. S. Gilmor, D.D. – The “D.D.” title indicates senior theological standing, possibly linked with seminary leadership.

Rev. M. E. Ross, D.D., Rev. J. A. Worden, D.D., and Rev. W. P. Finney – A cluster of high-ranking Protestant clergy on one voyage, suggesting a denominational conference or coordinated religious mission.

Rev. Alex. Rankin – A distinguished Presbyterian minister known for his civic engagement.

Rev. A. J. Turkle – His presence adds to the striking religious representation on this voyage.

🩺 Medical Professionals

Dr. Mary J. Cochran – A pioneering female physician, remarkable for practicing medicine in an era when women doctors were still rare.

Miss Delphine Hanna, M.D. – A trailblazer in physical education and preventive medicine, likely traveling for academic or medical exchange.

Dr. W. Walter Martin and Dr. J. J. McGrath – Part of a contingent of medical professionals, suggesting a transatlantic health conference or research visit.

⚓ Military Figures

Commodore T. V. McNair – A senior naval officer, representing the U.S. Navy in an era of modernization. His presence would have been a symbol of American maritime prestige.

💼 Prominent Civilians & Social Figures

Mrs. General Middleton – Likely the wife (or widow) of a high-ranking military officer, her travel suggesting ties to diplomatic or social events.

Mr. Dwight M. Ludington – Possibly linked to the influential Ludington family of business leaders.

Mr. Geo. Spencer Morris – Belonging to a family prominent in Philadelphia commerce.

† Commodore T. V. McNair — U.S. Navy, Flag Officer at Sea

While exact naval records referencing “Commodore T. V. McNair” are sparse, he likely corresponds to Rear Admiral Frederick Vallette McNair (1839–1900)—a distinguished officer of the United States Navy. McNair had a notable career spanning the Civil War through the late 19th century, culminating in high-level commands and later recognition via a naval destroyer named in his honor.

Why he’s notable on this voyage: His presence aboard the Kensington reflects the frequent travel of senior naval officers between home and European assignments during peacetime—and emphasizes the strong naval-diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Europe in that era.

᛫ Dr. Mary J. Cochran — Trailblazer in Women’s Medicine

Although specific archival details remain elusive, “Dr. Mary J. Cochran” represents the small but growing number of women physicians practicing in the U.S. during the late 19th century—particularly remarkable for traveling in cabin class. Her inclusion suggests she was likely well-educated, possibly attending a women’s medical college or a co‑ed institution like the University of Michigan, which began admitting female doctors in the 1870s.

Why she’s historically significant: In an era when women in medicine were rare, Dr. Cochran’s professional status and international travel highlight the expanding roles of women in science and public health.

Delphine Hanna, M.D. — Pioneer of Physical Education

A true luminary, Dr. Delphine Hanna (1854–1941) was a physician and educator who broke new ground in American academia:

Taught physical education at Oberlin College beginning in 1885, launching the first formal PE program for women.

In 1903, she became the first woman in the U.S. to hold the title “Professor of Physical Education”, cementing her legacy in educational history. She pioneered a scientific approach to physical training, incorporating measurement, corrective exercises, and inclusive teacher training programs. Her legacy continues—Oberlin named a foundation after her, and the Delphine Hanna Lecture remains a flagship educational event in kinesiology.

Why she stands out on this voyage: Her appearance aboard the Kensington in 1895 suggests engagement with European educational or medical exchanges—enriching the narrative of women leading change on both sides of the Atlantic.

Summary Table

Name: Role & Notability
Commodore T. V. McNair: Likely Rear Admiral F.V. McNair—senior U.S. Navy officer, symbol of naval prestige
Dr. Mary J. Cochran: Practicing woman physician at a time when female doctors were rare
Dr. Delphine Hanna: First U.S. Professor of Physical Education, innovator in women’s health education

Why These Biographies Matter

Including these mini-bios transforms the Kensington’s passenger list from a mere roster into a living record of societal change—capturing leaders in military, medicine, and education breaking new ground. For educators, students, and historians, these individuals embody the intersection of travel, professionalism, and cultural progress in the late 19th century.

Passenger Information

A fascinating look at onboard life, from precise meal times to baggage handling rules, giving educators concrete examples of 19th-century passenger etiquette.

• BREAKFAST at 8 a.m.
• DINNER at 12.30 p.m
• TEA at 5.30 p.m.
• SUPPER at 9 p.m.

The Bar closes at 10.30 p.m.

Lights are extinguished in the Saloon at 10.30 p.m. and in the Smoking Room at 11.00 p.m.

Please apply to the Chief Steward for Seats at Table.

Letters and Telegrams to be sent ashore with the Pilot should be handed to the Chief Steward an hour before reaching Breakwater. Those for dispatch upon reaching Queenstown should be given to him an hour before arrival at that Port.

Baggage: The Second Steward will attend to inquiries regarding Baggage. Passengers' Baggage they wish to leave in the Company's care should be handed over, properly labeled, and with full instructions as to disposal.

Steamer Chairs can be obtained for use on the voyage at a charge of 50 cents each upon application to the Second Steward.

Valuables: The Company will not be responsible for valuables or money unless given in charge of the Chief Steward and a receipt for same obtained from him.

Persons holding Return Certificates should give as early notice as possible of the date they desire to sail from Liverpool to Messrs. Richardson, Spence & Co., Liverpool.

Letters may be addressed to the care of any of the Offices named below, and they will be retained until called for or forwarded according to instructions.

🎓 Relevance for Teachers, Students, Historians & Genealogists

Teachers – A rich teaching aid for discussing Victorian-era social stratification, religious life, and gender roles in professional fields.

Students – An accessible primary source illustrating real names, professions, and travel patterns.

Historians – Valuable for studying transatlantic networks of religion, education, and diplomacy.

Genealogists – A goldmine for tracing ancestors in religious leadership, medicine, or military service.

💡 Final Thoughts – Why This Passenger List Matters

The SS Kensington Passenger List of 15 June 1895 captures an unusually distinguished collection of travelers—religious leaders of international reputation, pioneering women in medicine, a senior naval officer, professors, and socially prominent Americans. For educators, genealogists, and historians, it is a microcosm of transatlantic elite mobility at the close of the 19th century, illustrating how ocean liners served as conduits for cultural, academic, and political exchange.