John George Sage

Who was Mr John George Sage?

Mr John George Sage was a 44-year-old English tradesman and family man who tragically perished aboard the RMS Titanic in 1912. Born in London in 1867, Sage led a life marked by entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to his large family. His journey from London to the ill-fated Titanic is a poignant tale of ambition, hope, and ultimately, heartbreaking loss.

Early Life and Family

A London Upbringing

John George Sage was born on October 13, 1867, in Stamford Hill, Hackney, London. The only child of George Sage, a carman, and Eliza Bulling, John’s early years were spent in the bustling heart of Victorian London. By the age of 13, young John had already entered the workforce, employed in an oil shop, showcasing the era’s expectations for youth to contribute to family income.

Marriage and Family Life

On November 2, 1890, John married Annie Elizabeth Cazaly in St John’s Church, Hackney. This union marked the beginning of a large and close-knit family. The Sages were blessed with nine children:

• Stella Anna (b. 1891)
• George John (b. 1892)
• Douglas Bullen (b. 1893)
• Frederick (b. 1895)
• Dorothy Florence (b. 1897)
• Anthony William (b. 1899)
• Elizabeth Ada (b. 1901)
• Constance Gladys (b. 1904)
• Thomas Henry (b. 1907)

Career and Entrepreneurial Ventures

From Corn Merchant to Publican

John Sage’s career path was diverse and adaptable. In the early years of his marriage, he worked as a corn merchant in Hackney. However, the turn of the century brought changes for the Sage family. They relocated to Norfolk, where John took on the role of a publican, running the New Inn in Gaywood.

Baker and Confectioner

By 1910, the family had moved again, this time to Peterborough, Northamptonshire. Here, John demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit by taking over a bakery and confectionery business from a Mr Plant. The family settled at 246 Gladstone Street, with John now established as a baker.

The American Dream: A New Beginning

Exploring Opportunities in North America

In a bold move that would alter the family’s fate, John and his eldest son George embarked on an exploratory journey to North America on April 29, 1911. They sailed on the Allan Line’s Pomeranian, bound for Québec and ultimately Winnipeg, Manitoba. In Winnipeg, both father and son found employment as cooks with the Central Pacific Railway.

The Florida Venture

After months of hard work and saving, John Sage made a significant decision. He purchased a fruit farm in Jacksonville, Florida, with the intention of cultivating pecans. His enthusiasm for this new venture is evident in a heartfelt postcard he sent to his wife:

“My Dear, have found a lovely plot of land, Jacksonville is quite the most wonderful of places. I count the days until I’m home with my dear ones. Your loving husband, John”

This postcard, though undated, paints a vivid picture of John’s excitement and his dreams for the family’s future in America.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Change of Plans

Originally, the Sage family had planned to travel to America aboard the Philadelphia. However, a coal strike forced a change of plans, leading them to book passage on the RMS Titanic instead. This twist of fate would have devastating consequences.

Boarding the Titanic

On April 10, 1912, after bidding farewell to well-wishers, the entire Sage family boarded the Titanic in Southampton as third-class passengers. Their ticket, number 2343, cost £69 11s (equivalent to about £8,000 or $10,000 in 2023). John had made meticulous preparations, sending ahead their piano and furniture, and transferring over £1000 to cover the balance of their new farm.

The Tragic End

Final Moments

As the Titanic began to sink in the early hours of April 15, 1912, it’s believed that the Sage family managed to reach the deck. In a heart-wrenching turn of events, reports suggest that Stella, one of the daughters, had initially gotten into a lifeboat but left it when other family members couldn’t join her.

A Family Lost

In a tragedy that shook the maritime world, the entire Sage family - all eleven members - perished in the sinking of the Titanic. Out of this large family, only the body of Anthony William, one of the sons, was recovered.

John George Sage’s story is a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster. His journey from a London oil shop worker to a hopeful American farmer was cut short, leaving behind a legacy of familial devotion and unrealized dreams. The Sage family’s tale continues to resonate as one of the most heartbreaking in the annals of the Titanic’s history.