The Sage family without doubt was of Scandinavian origin, and the name at first was Saga. When the Norsemen conquered Normandy, in France, they generally softened the final a tone, thus making Saga, Sage, and added a French suffix to denote landed occupation. To the first Norman Saga or Sage was added ville or town, thus making it Sageville, or Sagetown or land. As these spread to other countries the name was subjected to other changes. In Germany, Saige or Sauge, the same in Switzerland, while in France it was LeSage. The name is first found in England on the Battle Abbey Roll, 1066. This Roll was prepared by the monks of Battle Abbey, at the command of William the Conqueror, to perpetuate the navies of those who took part in the battle of Hastings, which gave him the English throne. It is there recorded Sageville. All of the name in England, Scotland and Wales originated in this way. The family were granted a coat-of-arms, which is used by the American family.
(I) David Sage, American ancestor of the family in Troy, under consideration, was born in 1639, a native of Wales. He was one of the first settlers of Middletown, Connecticut, where he is of record in 1652. He settled upon a tract of land now part of the town of Cornwell, upon the banks of the Connecticut river, where some of his descendants yet reside. His will, dated March 27, 1703, is in the probate office at Hartford, Connecticut. The stone marking his grave is still standing in the Riverside cemetery, on the bank of the Connecticut river, at the north end of Main street, Middletown, and gave the date of his death as March, 1703, O.S., and his age as sixty-four years. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John Kirby, in February, 1664. He married (second), in 1673, Mary Wilcox. Children of first wife:
- David, born 1665;
- John, 1668;
- Elizabeth, 1670;
- Mary, 1672.
Children of second wife:
- Jonathan, born 1674;
- Timothy, 1678 (see forward);
- Nathaniel; Mercy.
(II) Timothy, fourth son of David Sage and second child by his second wife, Mary Wilcox, was born in Cromwell, Connecticut, 1678, died there in 1725. The stone marking his grave is still standing in the old cemetery at Cromwell. He married, at Cromwell, Connecticut, Margaret Holibert, who bore him five sons and two daughters. Children:
- Samuel, born 1709;
- Mercy, 1712;
- Timothy, 1714;
- Mary, 1716;
- David, 1718;
- Solomon, 1720;
- Amos, 1722.
(III) Amos, youngest child of Timothy and Margaret (Holibert) Sage, was born in Cromwell, Connecticut, 1722, died 1759. He was a farmer. He married Rebecca Wilcox, of Cromwell, who bore him five sons and three daughters.
- Amos (2), known as "Deacon Amos," born 1747;
- William, 1748, served at the battle of Bunker Hill;
- Hezekiah, 1750;
- Nathan, 1752, a privateer of the revolution;
- Rebecca, 1754;
- Elisha, 1755;
- Abigail, 1756, and
- Submit, 1759.
(IV) Elisha, sixth child and fifth son of Amos and Rebecca (Wilcox) Sage, was born in Cromwell, Connecticut, August 20, 1755, died there May 31, 1801. He was a soldier of the revolution, serving with local troops (1776). He married, in 1776, Martha Montague, born in Wethersfield, Connecticut, November 15, 1754, died in Herkimer, New York, May 4, 1829, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Laurinda S. Garfield, with whom she resided after the death of her husband. Children:
- Rufus, born 1777;
- Elisha (2), mentioned below;
- Martha, 1780;
- Barzilla, 1782;
- Fanny, 1784;
- Mary, 1785;
- Mary (2), 1787;
- Laurinda, 1789;
- Amos, 1791;
- Alvin, 1793;
- Wealthy, 1795;
- Cyprian, 1797.
The family resided most of their married life in Upper Middletown, Connecticut, originally called "Upper Houses," now Cromwell, though for a time they resided at Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
(V) Elisha (2), second son of Elisha (1) and Martha (Montague) Sage, was born January 25, 1779, died in Oneida county, New York, 1854. With this generation the family appear in New York state. Elisha (2) removed to Oneida county, where he married Prudence Risley, a native of the county. Children:
- Henry, born 1805;
- Sally, 1807;
- Fannie, 1809;
- Elisha M., see forward;
- Elizur W., 1812;
- William C., 1814;
- Russell, 1816.
The last named son, Hon. Russell Sage, became one of the leading financiers and capitalists of the United States, and died leaving a fortune of $70,000,000. He was a member of congress from New York City, his home and place of business. He died August, 1906.
(VI) Elisha M., fourth child of Elisha (2) and Prudence (Risley) Sage, was born in Oneida county, New York, April 13, 1812, died in Troy, New York, 1874. He is buried in Mt. Ida cemetery. He grew up on the farm, then removed to Troy, where he owned and conducted a grocery store and meat market at the corner of Hutton and River streets. He was an active, prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a supporter of all good causes. He was a good business man and highly regarded for his square dealing and upright, manly life. He married Jemima Way, January 16, 1834, who bore him three sons and three daughters:
- Henrietta, born January 18, 1835;
- Charles R., mentioned below;
- Daniel W., January 13, 1839;
- Martha A., April 2, 1842, of whom further;
- Reuben, February 7, 1845;
- Alfretta, June 20, 1848.
(VII) Charles Russell, eldest son of Elisha M. and Jemima (Way) Sage, was born in Troy, New York, in the Sage homestead, at the corner of Hoosic and River streets, December 10, 1836. He was educated in the Troy schools, and has been a lifelong, resident of that city. All his active years he was in the teaming and contracting business in the city, where he is now living in a retired life. He is a hale, vigorous man, much given to outdoor exercise. He has always taken an active interest in town affairs, and is a member of the Methodist church, which he joined many years ago. He was generously remembered in the will of his uncle, Hon. Russell Sage, whose personal friendship he enjoyed. In his long busy life he not only secured for himself a competence of this world's goods, but has earned as well the confidence and respect of a very large circle of friends and acquaintances. He is liberal, broad-minded, and a friend to all worthy church and charitable organizations. His great interest in life has always been his home and family, to which he is devoted. He married, July 4, 1858, Anna Ferguson, born in the north of Ireland. Children:
- William, born October 1, 1860, died December 13, 1897.
- Charles R. (2), August 22, 1864, died March 7, 1882.
- Lyda, April 30, 1866; married Edward Burnham.
- Lena, April 17, 1869, married Charles Guttschault.
- Benjamin, August 17, 1872, married Martha Finkle.
- Jennie, January 6, 1874, died October 25, 1897.
- Samuel, February 14, 1876, died November 20, 1907.
- Mary, June 10, 1878; unmarried.
- Etta, January 9, 1880, married Herman Gajeway.
(VII) Martha Ann Sage, daughter of Elisha M. and Jemima (Way) Sage, was born in Troy, New York. She was educated in the public schools and remained at home until her marriage to William Isaac Fryer, born in England, died in Troy, New York, son of William Fryer of England. William Isaac Fryer was a patternmaker, and coming from England early in life, settled in Troy, where he remained until his death. He was a member of the Methodist church and a man of quiet home tastes. Children:
- Minnie, deceased.
- William, unmarried.
- Martha, married Samuel Jennings and has two children: Eleanor Kenyon and Isabella Sage Jennings.
- Helen, married Charles McNaughton.
- Julia, married William Myers.
Mrs. Martha Ann Fryer married (second) Edward J. Powell. Child: Edward Powell. She married (third), in 1878, George B. Martratt, born Columbia county, New York. He is son of Cornelius and Lucy (Knickerbacker) Martratt. His father, Cornelius, was a carpenter and a builder of hay presses and lived in Waterford, New York, most of his life. The children of Cornelius and Lucy Martratt are:
- Peter H.,
- Maria, married Jacob Skinkle, of Albany;
- Matthew, a veteran of the civil war;
- John H., also a veteran of the civil war;
- Charles E., also a veteran;
- Amanda, married John Inman;
- George B. (see forward); and
- Catalina.
(II) George B., seventh child of Cornelius and Lucy Martratt, was educated in the public schools and became an electrician. He was connected with electrical work in several cities, finally settled in New York City, where he was in business until he retired and came to Troy in 1909. He was made a Mason in New York City in 1893, and is now affiliated with Mt. Zion Lodge, No. 311, Free and Accepted Masons, of Troy, New York. He is an active Republican. He married, in 1878, Martha Ann, daughter of Elisha M. Sage. She is a niece of the late Hon. Russell Sage, the great financier of New York City, who left her a generous testimonial of his love and esteem. Mr. and Mrs. Martratt have no children.