SS Pennsylvania Passenger List - circa 1878

GG Archives Poster For a Cabin Class Passenger List from the SS Pennsylvania of the American Line, Departing circa 1878 from Liverpool to Philadelphia, Commanded by Captain Thomas R. Harris. GGA Image ID # 1673e6abdb

Senior Officers and Staff

• Commander: Captain Thos. R. Harris

Cabin Class Passengers

1. Dr. Senflebeu
   Male, Age 57, Doctor, US Citizen
2. A. G. Chapman
   Male, Age 29, Merchant, US Citizen
3. Chas. Williams
   Male, Age 24, Merchant, US Citizen
4. Miss Mary Laverty
   Female, Age 45, Maid, US Citizen

Form C, No. 34 American Line Report or Manifest of all the Passengers taken on board the SS "Pennsylvania" whereof Thos. R. Harris is Master, from Liverpool, 3,101 Tons, and owned by The American Steamship Co. of Philadelphia and bound to Philadelphia. List included Name, Age, Sex, Occupation, Current Citizenship, Intended Citizenship. The actual date of this voyage is unknown but believed to be between 1878 and 1883. GGA Image ID # 1673efea7c

The SS Pennsylvania of the American Line (1873) 3,126 Tons, 360 Feet Long x 42 Feet Wide. GGA Image ID # 1674b77e00

Printed on top left of the Manifest: Form C. No. 34 1361-10,28,'78-100 Books. Notation on bottom right "Card indexed 8-6-36 (6 August 1936)"

Passenger List Information

Cabin Class Passenger List from the SS Pennsylvania of the American Line, Circa 1878

 

Item Description

GGA proudly presents a rare and historically significant Cabin Class Passenger List from the SS Pennsylvania of the American Line. Believed to document a voyage between 1878 and 1883 from Liverpool to Philadelphia under the command of Captain Thomas R. Harris, this artifact encapsulates the essence of transatlantic travel during the late 19th century.

Printed on Form C, No. 34, the manifest captures a detailed record of passengers’ names, ages, occupations, and citizenship status, offering a poignant glimpse into the lives of those traversing the Atlantic in pursuit of opportunity, business, and connection.

Accompanying this document is an illustrative poster of the SS Pennsylvania, providing insight into the vessel’s impressive specifications—3,126 tons, 360 feet in length, and 42 feet in width—a true testament to the engineering feats of the era.

 

Historical Context

The SS Pennsylvania was a cornerstone of the American Line fleet, symbolizing the surge of immigration, commerce, and transatlantic connectivity in the late 19th century. This passenger list reflects the socio-economic diversity aboard, from professionals to merchants and domestic staff.

This artifact is more than a document; it is a narrative of the passengers’ transatlantic journey during a pivotal period of industrialization and globalization.

 

Notable Passengers and VIPs

1. Dr. Senflebeu (Male, Age 57, Doctor, U.S. Citizen)

• Significance: Likely a prominent figure in American medicine during the late 19th century, Dr. Senflebeu exemplifies the growing importance of transatlantic professionals sharing knowledge and advancing their fields.
• Appeal: Offers historical value to collectors focused on the intersection of science and immigration.

2. A. G. Chapman (Male, Age 29, Merchant, U.S. Citizen)

• Significance: A representation of America’s burgeoning entrepreneurial class, Chapman likely participated in the booming transatlantic trade during the post-Civil War industrial expansion.
• Appeal: Of interest to those documenting the rise of merchant networks and the role of trade in shaping modern economies.

3. Charles Williams (Male, Age 24, Merchant, U.S. Citizen)

• Significance: Reflects the youth-driven ambition of America’s merchant fleet, indicative of the era’s globalized business environment.
• Appeal: Provides insight into the lives of young professionals shaping the economy of their time.

4. Miss Mary Laverty (Female, Age 45, Maid, U.S. Citizen)

• Significance: Represents the wave of domestic staff navigating transatlantic routes to serve elite households or to seek improved opportunities in the United States.
• Appeal: A poignant narrative of labor migration during a transformative period in American society.

 

Additional Historical Notes

The printed markings on the passenger list, including a 1936 card indexing reference, suggest it was preserved as part of an archival project or maritime record. The inclusion of such archival notations adds significant provenance, tying this artifact to institutional preservation efforts and further emphasizing its historical importance.

 

Conclusion

The Cabin Class Passenger List from the SS Pennsylvania is a rare and invaluable artifact, encapsulating the essence of transatlantic travel and the stories of those who shaped the industrial age.