RMS Saxonia Passenger List – 25 October 1904 Voyage Featuring Composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Medal of Honor Recipient John Farquhar, and Rev. George Gordon

Front Cover of a Saloon Passenger List for the RMS Saxonia of the Cunard Line, Departing Tuesday, 25 October 1904 from Liverpool to Boston, Commanded by Captain Thomas Potter. GGA Image ID # 13b866eb69

🔎 Ship Overview: RMS Saxonia

Line: Cunard Line

Launched: 1899 (sister to RMS Ivernia)

Tonnage: 14,281 GRT

Captain on this voyage: Thomas Potter

Route: Liverpool ➡️ Boston

Departure Date: Tuesday, 25 October 1904

Voyage Type: Regular transatlantic sailing

Capacity on This Voyage:

Saloon (First Class): 48

Second Cabin: 184

Third Class: 1,691

Total Passengers: 1,923

🚢 Key Features of the RMS Saxonia

The Saxonia was designed to handle large immigrant traffic in steerage while maintaining luxurious accommodations in Saloon class. She was a workhorse of the Liverpool-Boston route, a common path for affluent Americans returning from extended European travels.

🌍 Route Context

This voyage occurred during the final years of the Edwardian era, amid:

Growing immigration from southern and eastern Europe (reflected in high Third Class numbers).

Flourishing cultural exchange between the U.S. and Europe.

Heightened interest in social reform and religious engagement among American intellectuals.

Senior Officers and Staff

1. Captain: Thomas Potter
2. Surgeon: E. Bertram Smith
3. Purser: H.. D. STAINER
4. Chief Steward: J. Napier
5. Assistant Purser: C. T. Spedding

Saloon Passengers

1. Mr. A. R. Benson
2. Mrs. Benson
3. Mr. B. F. Bowman
4. Mrs. F. A. Bradt
5. Mr. John M. Brown
6. Mr. J. D. Burrow - NOB
7. Dr. Nunan Casey, J.P. - St. Louis MO Physician
8. Mr. Frank Dudley Chase
9. Mr. W. G. Cleveland
10. Mrs. Cleveland
11. Mr. Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (Note 1)
12. Miss A. L. Compton
13. Mr. D. D. Dana
14. Miss Dewey
15. Mr. F. R. Ellison
16. Mr. John M. Farquhar - (Note 2)
17. Rev. Dr. George J. Gordon - of Old South Church, Boston
18. Mr. Arthur G. Grice
19. Mrs. Grice
20. Mr. George Herbert
21. Mr. W. G. Hill
22. Mrs. Hill
23. Mr. D. C. Holder
24. Mrs. Holder and Child
25. Dr. J. B. Kennedy
26. Mrs. M. E. Litchfield
27. Mr. F. E. Macomber
28. Miss J. M. Mason - NOB
29. Miss J. G. Mason - NOB
30. Mr. M. P. McCoy
31. Mr. W. C. McMillan
32. Mr. Arthur Merritt
33. Mrs. Merritt
34. Mr. A. T. Nye
35. Mrs. C. A. Prince
36. Miss Prince
37. Miss G. L. Putnam
38. Mr. J. A. Ropes
39. Mrs. Ropes
40. Mr. W. C. Runge
41. Miss L. S. Sampson
42. Miss C. L. Stickney
43. Mr. Joseph Walworth
44. Mr. T. E. Wardner
45. Mrs. Wardner
46. Miss Wardner
47. Mr. Franklin O. Whitney

Additional Passengers

1. Mr. Edward J. Miller
2. Miss M. G. Mason
3. Miss J. A. Mason

Passengers Not on Board

1. Mr. J. D. Burrow
2. Miss J. M. Mason
3. Miss J. G. Mason

Récapitulation:

• Saloon: 48
• Second Cabin: 184
• Third Class: 1,691
• Total: 1,923

Notes About Passengers

1. Mr. Samuel Coleridge-Taylor - A British Composer of African descent (Father was native of Sierra Leone; Mother was English); (15 August 1875 - 1 September 1912) Made two concert tours of the U.S. in 1904 and 1906, conducting his own works
2. John McCreath Farquhar (April 17, 1832 - April 24, 1918) was a United States Representative from New York and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor

🌟 Distinguished and Noteworthy Passengers

🎼 Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
British Composer, of mixed African and English heritage.

Father from Sierra Leone; mother English.

On his first U.S. concert tour, Coleridge-Taylor conducted his own works and was celebrated by African-American communities and mainstream American music circles.

This voyage represents a significant moment in transatlantic Black cultural exchange.

🏆 One of the most culturally important figures aboard.

🎖️ John McCreath Farquhar

Medal of Honor Recipient, U.S. Army (Civil War).

Later became a U.S. Representative from New York.

His presence on board suggests he may have been part of official or commemorative engagements in the U.K.

🌟 Notable for military valor and public service.

⛪ Rev. Dr. George A. Gordon

Minister of Old South Church, Boston – a historic Congregational church.

Prominent theologian and author involved in social justice and Progressive-era religious thought.

Represents the interplay between American religion and global travel at the turn of the century.

🩺 Dr. Nunan Casey, J.P.

Physician from St. Louis, MO, with the title "J.P." (Justice of the Peace), indicating civic engagement.

His dual titles make him notable both in medicine and legal community service.

👨‍⚕️ Dr. J. B. Kennedy

Likely another physician aboard; suggests a strong professional and upper-middle-class demographic among saloon passengers.

📚 Additional Notable Families & Individuals

Mr. A. R. Benson & Mrs. Benson – Possibly related to the American mercantile or publishing Bensons.

Mr. F. E. Macomber – Potentially of the Boston-based Macomber family with ties to commerce and racing.

Mr. W. G. Cleveland – No confirmed link to President Grover Cleveland, but name draws attention.

Miss G. L. Putnam – May be tied to the Putnam publishing family or American elite.

Mr. D. D. Dana – Possible descendant of the literary Dana family (Two Years Before the Mast).

Mr. Joseph Walworth – Surname connected to industrial and social leaders in the Northeast U.S.

Misses Mason (J. M., J. G., and M. G.) – Listed as NOB (Not On Board), a helpful detail for genealogists tracing missed sailings.

This Steamer Is Fitted With Marconi’s System of Wireless Telegraphy.

Deep Sea Journalism.

Liverpool Courier, October 11th, 1904.

The Umbria which sails from Liverpool for New York on the 15th instant, is at present being fitted with the Marconi long-distance wireless telegraphy apparatus, which will enable her to pick up etheric messages when 1,500 or 1,600 miles from land.

During her forthcoming voyage, therefore, passengers by this steamer will be kept posted as to the world’s happenings during the whole of the Atlantic trip.

The news messages, which are dispatched from Poldu, in Cornwall, and the United States, will be incorporated in the “ Cunard Daily Bulletin,” a newspaper published on shipboard.

With the fitting of the Umbria, the “Cunard Bulletin” will be published daily on board the four mail steamers Campania, Lucania, Etruria, and Umbria.

Originally this paper was confined to four pages, and was published once on the outward and once on the homeward voyage.

Its present dimensions are twelve pages, and a further increase in size is contemplated. The “Bulletin” contains, in addition to the latest news dispatched by Marconigram, illustrated articles, poetry, &c., and is much appreciated by passengers.

Messages for Passengers on board this Steamer can be sent through the Marconi Stations at Rosslare or Crookhaven, addressed as follows : —
(Name)
Passenger “SAXONIA,”
Care ‘ Expanse,"
(Station)

Information for Passengers

Meals will be served in the Saloon at the following times: Breakfast from 8-30 to 10 ; Luncheon at 1 p.m.; Dinner (a la Carte) at 7 o’clock. Supper, if required, must be ordered before 10 o’clock.

The Bar will be closed at 11 p.m. and the Smoke Room at Midnight.

The Second Steward has the arrangement of the seats at table.

Divine Service on Sunday at 10-30 a.m.

All enquiries regarding Baggage should be addressed to the Purser.

Steamer Chairs may be hired from the Deck Steward at a cost of 4/- for the voyage.

Smoking. Gentlemen are requested not to smoke in the Saloons, Staterooms or Companion-ways.

The Company is not responsible for theft if valuables or money are kept in the Staterooms. The same should be placed in charge of the Purser for deposit in his safe, and a receipt for same will be given on the Company’s form. As no charge is made for carriage the Company can not accept any responsibility for loss or damage, however arising, but passengers can protect themselves by insurance.

Passengers should obtain a receipt on the Company’s form for any additional Passage Money or Freight paid on board.

The Purser is authorized to exchange money at the following rates. He will give American money for English at $4.80 to the pound sterling and English money for U.S. Currency at £1 sterling for $4.95.

Dogs. Passengers are notified that dogs cannot be landed in Great Britain unless a license has previously been procured from the Board of Agriculture, London, forms of license must be obtained by direct application to the Department before the dog is taken on board.

Special trains are run between Riverside Station, Liverpool, and Euston Station, London, in connection with the arrival and departure of these Steamers. All the other Railway Stations in Liverpool are within a few minutes’ drive of the Prince’s Stage.

Wireless Telegram Rates

From Ship to Marconi Station 6d. per word.
From Ship to Passing Steamer and thence to Station 6d. per word.

NOTE.—The Minimum Charges, via Crookhaven or Stations in the United Kingdom, is 6s. 6d.

Cunard Sailing Schedules, Liverpool-Boston Service, Liverpool-New York Serivce, and Hungarian-American Service, from 6 October 1904 to 3 January 1905. Ships Included the Campania, Carpathia, Etruria, Ivernia, Lucania, Pannonia, Saxonia, Slavonia, Sylvania, Ultonia, and Umbria. RMS Saxonia Saloon Class Passenger List, 25 October 1904. | GGA Image ID # 228c01f5d1

Title Page and Saloong Passengers. RMS Saxonia Saloon Class Passenger List, 25 October 1904. | GGA Image ID # 228c35ebd7

Saloon Passengers, Continued. RMS Saxonia Saloon Class Passenger List, 25 October 1904. | GGA Image ID # 228c5f1021

Saloon Passengers, Continued, with Erratta Section and Récapitulation of Passengers Aboard. RMS Saxonia Saloon Class Passenger List, 25 October 1904. | GGA Image ID # 228cd6f358

Deep Sea Journalism/Marconi System of Wireless Telegraphy, 1904. RMS Saxonia Saloon Class Passenger List, 25 October 1904. | GGA Image ID # 228d5c8749

Information for Passengers, 1904. RMS Saxonia Saloon Class Passenger List, 25 October 1904. | GGA Image ID # 228d5ea7fb

American and British Lights in the Atlantic Ocean, 1904. RMS Saxonia Saloon Class Passenger List, 25 October 1904. | GGA Image ID # 174e54e88d

🖼️ Noteworthy Images

📘 Front Cover (GGA Image ID # 13b866eb69) - Elegant Saloon Passenger List Design with traditional Cunard branding. Reflects the sophistication and exclusivity of first-class transatlantic travel.

🗺️ Back Cover (GGA Image ID #174e54e88d) – American and British Lights in the Atlantic Ocean, 1904 Navigational guide of lighthouses used during crossings.

Highly relevant for maritime historians and educators teaching navigation, geography, or shipping lanes.

🧩 Relevance for Researchers & Educators

👨‍🏫 For Teachers & Students
Explores racial, religious, and political identity across the Atlantic world.

A unique primary source for discussions of immigration, cultural diplomacy, and early Black internationalism.

🧬 For Genealogists
Excellent record of names, family groups, and missed passengers.

Helps trace immigration patterns, particularly from Boston-area families.

🧭 For Historians
Strong lens into Edwardian-class structures, from elite Saloon travelers to massive Third Class manifest (1,691!).

Documents racial and cultural dynamics, elite travel, and personal histories.

🧠 Final Thoughts – Why This Passenger List Matters

The RMS Saxonia Passenger List from 25 October 1904 encapsulates the cultural, social, and intellectual flow between the U.S. and Europe during the early 20th century. It’s a rare document where a Black British composer, an American Medal of Honor recipient, and a Congregational theologian share the same deck—symbolizing a microcosm of transatlantic modernity.

Whether you’re teaching cultural history, tracing a family tree, or exploring Edwardian sea travel, this passenger list offers a compelling narrative with rich detail and important human stories.