Emanuel Sage aged 45 was initiated on the 3rd November 1871 into Athelstan Lodge No 1333, Atherstone Warwickshire. His occupation was Nurseryman. He was passed on 1st December 1871 and raised 5th January 1872.Emanuel and his wife Emma had four sons: Emanuel Jr aged 10, Arthur aged 9, Edward Thomas aged 8 and Charles aged 6.
Sadly Emanuel Sr was taken ill and died on the 2nd June 1872 of Typhoid Fever.Charles was put forward to be entered into the Boys School under the terms of the RMIB and was admitted on the 9th September 1873 aged 9 years and 4 months. Edward Thomas Sage was admitted by purchase on the 19th September 1873 aged 10 years and 9 months. Edward Thomas had completed his education by 8th December 1878. Charles left the school on 23rd May 1880.
In the 1881 census Edward is living with a William Orme, a Chemist of Long St, Atherstone. He was recorded as a Chemist Apprentice aged 18. (William Orme was Master of Athelstan Lodge No 1333 in 1884). When Edward married Ann Fox in Atherstone in 1886 his occupation was recorded as a Chemist for a Surgery. By 1891 the census shows that they were in Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire. They had a daughter Jessica aged 3 and a son George Edward age 1.
By the time of the 1911 census they were now living in Lostwithiel, Cornwall. Edward had a Chemist’s shop on Fore St and his son George now aged 21 was a Pharmaceutical student. Records show that Edward was also a local councillor in 1907-8.
Edward was Initiated in Restormel Lodge No 856 Lostwithiel on 4th January 1912 aged 48 and became Master in 1921, also joining the Cornish Masters Lodge No 3324 Truro.
His son George Edward served in the 1914-18 War with the Royal Army Medical Corp as a Pharmacist, leaving in 1918 with the rank of Sgt. Edward died on the 26th March 1940 aged 77.
A memorial plaque in the parish Church (St Bartholomew’s) is dedicated to their youngest son, Douglas Arthur Sage 2nd/17th London Regiment:
“The beloved Son of Edward and Ann Sage of Merevale, Lostwithiel. Killed in action in Palestine March 2nd 1918 aged 20 years”.
After the tragic and sudden early death of Emanuel their father, what a great part Freemasonry played in their young lives, certainly giving Edward and his son George the opportunity of a successful career as Chemists. His brother Charles emigrated to Adelaide, Australia in 1888; no other information can currently be found on him.
Presented to Edward Thomas Sage 1877.
Presented to Edward Thomas Sage 1877.