Mr Hudson Allison - Titanic First Class Passenger
Mr Hudson Joshua Creighton Allison was a first class passenger travelling aboard Titanic with his wife, Bessie Waldo Allison; their baby son, Hudson Trevor Allison; their 2 year old daughter, Helen Loraine Allison, and also their servants, Alice Cleaver who was Hudson Trevor’s nursemaid; Sarah Daniels, a maid; George Swane (in 2nd class), the family’s chauffer, and Amelia Mary Brown (in 2nd class) who was a cook for the family.
Hudson Allison was born in Chesterville, Canada on 9th December 1881. He married Bessie Waldo Daniels on 7th December 1907 – on the day as he celebrated his 26th birthday. By the time of his marriage he had already made himself a fortune in business. The Allison’s were devoted Methodists and were involved in bible and Sunday school classes. Their daughter, Helen Loraine, was born on 5th June 1909, and their son, Hudson Trevor, was born on 7th May 1911.
In March 1912, the Allison’s sailed to Britain, so that Hudson could attend a Director’s meeting of the British Canadian Lumber Corporation. While they were in Britain, they visited the Scottish Highlands, where Hudson purchased two dozen horses, to be sent home to the family’s farm in Canada. Before boarding Titanic, the Allison’s recruited the four servants that were to make the journey home with them.
The family and their new servants boarded Titanic on 10th April 1912. After the collision with the iceberg, Hudson Trevor (their baby) was taken to the boat deck by his nursemaid Alice Cleaver – where they both safely boarded Lifeboat 11. It is said that Hudson and Bessie were not aware that their baby was in a lifeboat, and that they spent most of the remaining time before the sinking searching for their baby. It was, however, reported in the press after the disaster that Bessie refused to leave her husband. Hudson Allison, his wife and daughter were lost in the sinking. Hudson Trevor Allison was the only member of the family to survive. Of their servants, George Swane was the only person to be lost.
Hudson Allison’s body was recovered by the Mackay-Bennett. Included on his body where keys, letters, photos, pocket diaries, $143 in notes, £15 in Gold and £35 in notes. Hudson Allison was buried at Maple Ridge Cemetery, Chesterville, Ontario, Canada.
Around a month after his funeral had taken place, the horses that he had purchased in Britain safely arrived at the family’s farm.
In the 1996 made for TV film/mini-series, the Allison’s are portrayed and their story, although not all factual, is a key part of the film/series . Hudson Allison was played by Kevin Conway.
Related pages - Titanic's First Class Passengers, All Titanic Pages