SS New York Saloon Passenger List – Southampton to New York, 29 September 1896: Nobility, Financiers & Cultural Luminaries at Sea

Front Cover, SS New York Saloon Passenger List, Departing Tuesday, 29 September 1896 from Southampton to New York, Commanded by Captain F. M. Passow. | GGA Image ID # 158be44972.

🚢 SS New York – Saloon Passenger List Review & Historical Context

Voyage Overview

Vessel: SS New York (American Line)

Route: Southampton → New York

Departure Date: Tuesday, 29 September 1896

Class: Saloon (First Class)

Captain: F. M. Passow

This list is a snapshot of Gilded Age luxury travel, showcasing an elite transatlantic community of socialites, financiers, clergy, titled Europeans, and cultural influencers. The SS New York was one of the premier liners of the era, combining speed with opulence.

⚓ The SS New York – Ship Highlights

Launched: 1888 by John Brown & Co., Clydebank, Scotland.

Operator: American Line (International Navigation Company).

Service Role: Southampton–New York express liner, famed for speed and reliability.

Design Notes: Twin-screw propulsion; luxury saloon class accommodations designed for comfort and exclusivity; advanced navigation equipment for the period.

Notable Service: Served as a troop transport in later conflicts, cementing her place in maritime history.

Senior Officers and Staff

1. Commander: Captain F. M. Passow
2. Purser: Howard E. Ihiisley
3. Surgeon: J. O. L. Kilgarriff, M.B
4. Chief Steward: James Farrell

Saloon Passengers

1. Miss May R. Achorn
2. Mrs. Sophie Achorn and Infant
3. Miss M. Abrams
4. Mr. W. T. Adams
5. Miss Bertha Adams
6. Mr. D. D. Aliens
7. Rev. Franklin Babbitt
8. Miss Butler
9. Signor Baratti
10. Mr. J. K. Barlow
11. Mr. J. F. Blackburn
12. Mlle. du Bidat
13. Miss Josephine Bell
14. Master Harry Blackley
15. Mr. Alex. Bull
16. Mr. Loftus Cuddy
17. Miss Henriette Cassin
18. Mr. C. T. Cowperthwaite
19. Mrs. M. Campbell
20. Miss Alice Carter
21. Miss L. G. Cayce
22. Mr. C. R. Cummings
23. Mrs. Cummings
24. Miss Hazel Cummings
25. Master Newell Cummings and Maid
26. Mrs. W. D. Craven
27. Miss Mary H. Craven, Infant and Nurse
28. Mr. Harry T. Dekker
29. Mr. Alfred Davies

30. Signor Durot
31. Mme Durot
32. Mrs E. M. Dunean
33. Miss M. E. Duncan
34. Mrs. Blackstock Downey
35. Mrs. Adelaide Dewey
36. Mr. Charles Dreyfuss
37. Mr. Geo. English
38. Mr. Pierre English
39. Dr. George E. Elliott
40. Mr. Ricbard M. Elliot
41. Mrs Elliot
42. Master Elliot
43. Miss Elliot
44. Miss Nathalie Elliot nurse, governess, and maid
45. Mr. Daniel. C. French
46. Mrs. French
47. Mrs. Geo. W. Frants
48. Mr. Stuyvesant Fish
49. Mrs. Fish
50. Miss Marian Fish
51. Master Stuyvesant Fish, Jr.
52. Master Sydney W. Fish valet and maid
53. Mrs. Will H. Fox
54. Miss Katherine E. Furleigh
55. Mr. Chas. Fisher
56. Mr. G. W. Fishback
57. Mr. John K. Gore
58. Miss N. E. Gavin
59. Mr. J. Garlick
60. Mrs. Garlick
61. Miss Mahel C. Gage
62. Mr. Haldeman
63. Mr. W. Harvey
64. Miss Gertrude Hutchins
65. Mr. John Harrison
66. Mrs. Harrison and valet
67. Mr. H. H. Hallowell
68. Mr. A. M. Hay
69. Mr. William Harper
70. Mr. Brayton Ives
71. Mr. W. S. Jackson
72. Mrs. Jackson
73. Sir William Jardine
74. Mr. Harvey Jardine
75. Mrs. Jardine and child
76. Mr. C. F. Jones
77. Mrs. John P. Jones
78. Miss Jones
79. Rev. Chas. James
80. Mr. G. A. Jones
81. Mr. Arthur S. Klemm
82. Miss E. R. Klemm
83. Miss M. Celeste Klemm
84. Mrs. E. H. Koch
85. Mr. James C. King
86. Mr. Geo. Kemp

87. Mr. Ang. Knobloch
88. Mr. Chas. N. Lee
89. Mrs. Lee
90. Mr. Overton Lea
91. Mrs. Lea
92. Mr. Overton Lea. Jr.
93. Miss Lea
94. Miss Elisabeth Lea
95. Mr. George Lauder
96. Mrs Lauder
97. Miss Harriet Lauder
98. Miss Bessie Lauder
99. Mr. Poul Larsen
100. Mrs. Larsen
101. Mr. James Legendre
102. Col. J. H. Mapleson
103. Mrs. Mapleson
104. Miss Christine Myhr
105. Mme. Meyseuheim
106. Mr. L. R. Moore
107. Mrs. Moore
108. Mr. L. T. Moore
109. Mrs. Moore and valet
110. Mrs. Morton Mr. Mallon
111. Mr. Middlediteh
112. Dr. J. E. Moith
113. Mrs. Miller
114. Mr. J. Herbert Mullin
115. Mrs. T. J. Mullin
116. Mr. A. Marshall
117. Mr. M. O. Maxon
118. Mr. A. C. McGraw
119. Miss Helen H. Meyer
120. Mr. S. C. Neale
121. Mrs. Neale
122. Miss Neale and maid
123. Mr. H. Norris
124. Mr. Wm. P. Northrup
125. Mr. W. A. Nygh
126. Dr. K. F. O’Neil
127. Miss. Ida Oster
128. Mr. Wilson Patterson
129. Mrs. Patterson
130. Mr. Henry Prentice
131. Mrs. Prentiee
132. Mrs. Frank Purssell and infant
133. Mrs. H. A. V. Post
134. Miss Nathalie Post
135. Master Henry B. Post and maid
136. Mr J. Fred Pierson, Jr.
137. Miss Pricilla L. Paine
138. Mr. R. F. Polack
139. Mrs. Polack
140. Miss Jennie O'Neil Potter
141. Master David N. Potter
142. Miss Dorothea Potulica
143. Mr. M. Redmond
144. Mrs. Redmond
145. Mr. Edward Stephen Rawson
146. Mrs. Rawson
147. Mrs. L. M. Roaler

148. Mr. G. I. Rockwood
149. Mrs. Rockwood
150. Signor Romili
151. Count Reichenbach
152. Mr. Frank H. Ray and valet
153. Miss M. B. Stewart
154. Miss C. E. Stewart
155. Dr. J. L. Seward
156. Miss Sallie T. Seward
157. Miss Katherine Seward
158. Miss Lucy Schroeder
159. Miss Henriette Schroeder
160. Mr. Richard Spragne Stearns
161. Mrs. Stearns
162. Master George Stearns, infant and nurse
163. Miss Emily Stearns
164. Miss Caroline Stearns and nurse
165. Mr. George Wilkinson Stetson
166. Mrs. Stetson
167. Miss Ethel W. Stetson
168. Master W. w. Stetson
169. Miss M. A. Stovell
170. Mr. C. F. Smith
171. Mrs. Smith
172. Mr. W. H. Smith
173. Mrs. Smith
174. Rev. Canon Smith
175. Miss Strong and maid
176. Miss E. H. Smith
177. Mr. F. w. Smyth
178. Mr. Howard Sisson
179. Mr. S. L. Severance
180. Mrs. Severance
181. Mr. L. H. Severance
182. Col. E. F. Townsend
183. Miss Townsend
184. Signor Tango
185. Mr. E. R. Thomas
186. Dr. W. S. Thayer
187. Mr. Nicholas Treweek
188. Mr. J. E. Thompson
189. Signor Ughetti
190. Mrs A. C. Vail
191. Miss C. Vail
192. Master Ralph Vail
193. Mrs A. Paine Worden
194. Miss A. L. Worden
195. Miss E. E. Wichmann
196. Mr. Walter W. Watrons
197. Mrs. Watrous
198. Master Livingston Watrous
199. Miss Wainwright
200. Mr. John S. Wright
201. Miss Franziska Yost
202. Mrs. Zuill

🌟 Notable Passengers & Social Context

Religious Leaders

Rev. Franklin Babbitt – Likely traveling for ecclesiastical duties or religious conferences, representing the ongoing exchange of theological ideas across the Atlantic.

Rev. Chas. James – His inclusion hints at the ship’s role in facilitating pastoral work between continents.

Rev. Canon Smith – A senior churchman; the “Canon” title suggests prominence within cathedral service—valuable for ecclesiastical historians.

Nobility & Aristocracy

Sir William Jardine – A British baronet known for his contributions to natural history and trade. A titled figure whose presence underscores the liner’s prestige; members of the aristocracy often used such voyages for diplomatic, commercial, or leisure purposes.

Count Reichenbach – An example of European nobility engaging in transatlantic travel, often tied to cultural, financial, or political networking.

Military Figures

Col. J. H. Mapleson – A colonel, likely retired or traveling on official or business-related purposes, adding a military presence to the passenger mix. He was also an influential figure in the performing arts, particularly opera, bridging European and American cultural landscapes. A cultural icon reflecting the transatlantic exchange of art and music.

Col. E. F. Townsend – Another distinguished officer; such passengers were often involved in veterans’ organizations or ceremonial duties.

Prominent Americans & VIPs

Mr. Stuyvesant Fish, Mrs. Fish, Miss Marian Fish, Master Stuyvesant Fish, Jr., Master Sydney W. Fish – Stuyvesant Fish was a leading American railroad executive and social figure; traveling with his wife and children, his presence elevates the voyage’s social profile. He symbolizes American industrial and social elites who traveled saloon class.

Mr. Brayton Ives – Former President of the New York Stock Exchange and influential financier—illustrating the economic power aboard.

Mr. Frank H. Ray – Well-connected in New York’s business world; traveling with a personal valet.

Miss Jennie O’Neil Potter – A noted public speaker, actress, and writer—representing the entertainment and literary class aboard.

Mr. Daniel Chester French – Renowned American sculptor, famed for creating the seated Abraham Lincoln statue in the Lincoln Memorial. He represents the intersection of art and society among saloon-class passengers.

Notable Individuals (Mini-Biographies)

Stuyvesant Fish (Financier & Railroad Executive) 💼🚂

• Who: New York–born railroad magnate (1851–1923).
• Why notable in 1896: By this date, Fish had already become one of the most visible U.S. railroad leaders as president of the Illinois Central Railroad (1887–1906), expanding Midwestern and Southern rail infrastructure and shaping Gilded Age finance. Socially, he and his wife Marion “Mamie” (Graves Anthon) Fish were pillars of New York/Newport society, emblematic of elite transatlantic travel of the era.

Sir William Jardine (9th Baronet of Applegirth) 🛡️🏴

• Who: Scottish baronet Sir William Jardine, 9th Baronet (1865–1915), head of the Jardine baronetcy in the 1890s.
• Why notable in 1896: His presence signals the steady flow of British landed gentry across the Atlantic for business, society, and sport. The Jardine baronetcy of Applegirth (Dumfriesshire) was long-established; in 1896 the titleholder was the 9th Baronet, making him the most plausible “Sir William Jardine” on this passenger list.
• Research note: Multiple “Sir William Jardines” existed across the 19th century; the celebrated naturalist Sir William Jardine, 7th Bt. (1800–1874) had already died. The baronetcy roll confirms the 9th Baronet as the living namesake in 1896.

Jennie O’Neil(l) Potter (Stage Reader & Popular Entertainer) 🎭📜

• Who: American actor and dramatic reader (often billed as a “platform reader”), widely popular on the U.S. lecture and lyceum circuits in the 1880s–1890s.
• Why notable in 1896: Potter was a marquee name for literary/dialect readings; she was even lauded by the future King Edward VII as “the queen of dialect readers.” Her transatlantic passage fits a period when U.S. platform stars toured Britain and the Continent. (Variants of her surname are seen in print as O’Neil/O’Neill.)

Daniel Chester French (1850–1931) — American Sculptor

Best known for creating the seated Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial (dedicated 1922), French was the preeminent U.S. monument sculptor of the late 19th–early 20th centuries. He first rose to national prominence with The Minute Man (unveiled 1875, Concord, MA), a Revolutionary War memorial that became an icon of New England patriotism. Earlier study in Florence and Paris honed his classical style, and he maintained a prolific career producing major public works including John Harvard (1884, Harvard Yard), Statue of the Republic (1893, World’s Columbian Exposition, Chicago), and Alma Mater (1903, Columbia University). His Berkshire studio “Chesterwood” in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, served as his creative base; architect Henry Bacon—later the Lincoln Memorial’s architect—designed French’s 1898 studio there, underscoring their close collaboration. At the time of this 1896 crossing, French was fresh off the colossal success of the 1893 Chicago fair and moving into the most celebrated phase of his career. ✨

Sources: National Portrait Gallery artist bio (training in Italy/Paris; major works)
Smithsonian American Art Museum
; NPS Minute Man National Historical Park (1875 Minute Man details)
Smithsonian American Art Museum
; Washington Monument Grounds / Lincoln Memorial overview (crediting French for the 19-ft Lincoln statue)
National Portrait Gallery
; Historic Artists’ Homes & Studios (Chesterwood; 1898 studio by Henry Bacon)
artistshomes.org.

Information for Passengers

• Breakfast from 8:00 until 10:00 am
• Luncheon at 1:00 pm
• Dinner at 6.30. pm

The Bar closes at 11 pm Lights are extinguished in the Saloon at 11:00 pm, and in the Smoking Room at 11:30 pm

Please apply to the Second Steward for Seats at Table.

Letters and Telegrams should be handed to the Saloon Steward within an hour after leaving Southampton, and those for dispatch upon reaching port should be handed to him an hour before arrival.

Writing Paper, Envelopes, and Telegraph Forms, will be found in the Library.

For Railway and Steamship Time Tables of the various Companies, apply to the Saloon Steward.

Inquiries regarding Baggage will be attended to by the Baggage Steward, to whom all Baggage which Passengers wish to leave in the Company's care should be handed, properly labelled, and with full instructions as to disposal.

Large Deck Chairs can be obtained for use on the voyage, at a charge of 50 cents each, upon application at the Purser's Office, or to the Deck Steward.

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

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 Researchers & Educators

For Teachers & Students: Offers a case study in Gilded Age social mobility, transatlantic diplomacy, and cultural exchange.

For Historians: Reveals interplay between industrial wealth, nobility, and the arts in late 19th-century Atlantic society.

For Genealogists: Names, family groups, and staff listings are invaluable for tracing elite lineage and travel habits.

For Maritime Enthusiasts: Exemplifies luxury liner travel before the era of the great superliners like Lusitania and Titanic.

💡 Final Thoughts – Why This Passenger List Matters

The SS New York’s 29 September 1896 Saloon Passenger List is more than a roll call—it’s a curated window into Gilded Age transatlantic society. With its blend of aristocrats, financiers, clergy, entertainers, and global travelers, it embodies the cultural and economic dynamism of the late 19th century. The document’s preservation—complete with original formatting and sailing schedules—offers scholars and enthusiasts an authentic, tangible link to a vibrant era of ocean travel.

American Line Sailing Schedule, Southampton-New York, 30 September 1896 to 30 December 1896. Ships Included the New York, Paris, St. Louis, and St. Paul. SS New York Saloon Passenger List, 29 September 1896. | GGA Image ID # 22b771f770

Title Page, Listing of Senior Officers, List of Passengers, Part 1, SS New York Saloon Passenger List, 29 September 1896. | GGA Image ID # 22b8d771ab

List of Passengers, Part 2 (Signor Durot to Mr. George Kemp), SS New York Saloon Passenger List, 29 September 1896. | GGA Image ID # 22b8e51bcc

List of Passengers, Part 3 (Mr. Aug. Knobloch to Mrs. L. M. Rosler) SS New York Saloon Passenger List, 29 September 1896. | GGA Image ID # 22b8e95bf9

List of Passengers, Part 4 (Mr. G I. Rockwood to Mrs. Zuill), SS New York Saloon Passenger List, 29 September 1896. | GGA Image ID # 22b9070441

Information for Passengers and American Line Offices and AgenciesSS New York Saloon Passenger List, 29 September 1896. | GGA Image ID # 22b938dd1c