Joseph Sager grave monument in St Mary the Virgin Church burial ground, Richmond, Yorkshire, England

Good afternoon from the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA. My name is Greg Davis and I am attempting to decipher a last will and testament that has been in my family's possession for a very long time. About a year before my father died in 1997, he asked me to be the keeper of our family records. They contain old books, letters, photographs, heirlooms, and my great-great grandfather's military records (and items) from his years as a field and staff officer in the Union Army (before and during our American Civil War). Among the many items passed down through the years, is a hand-written (in beautiful script) last will and testament of one Joseph Sager. It was written in 1796 by Joseph on writing paper which has a water mark and which seems to be of high quality...high cloth content. The paper is still in excellent condition. The will specifically states he lived in Richmond in the County of York and that he was (at the time of the writing) a head master at a school. It has been a couple of years since I last looked at the will and I don't remember if the school is named. Joseph lists his children individually. Some from his first marriage...some from his second. He states in the will that his children from his first marriage had, by the time of the writing, already received their inheritances. Further...it seems from the wording in the will that the children from his second marriage had not yet received their inheritances but would receive certain personal items and sums of money. (Please bear with me...I'll get 'round to the connection to my family.) The will is a wonderful piece of personal history to read...even if I weren't connected to Joseph in any way. However, I do believe I am related (although, distantly) to him. During research in the census archives in the City of Philadelphia, PA, many years ago, I noticed that my great-great grandfather married one Jane Weir...also (I'm guessing) of Philadelphia. Jane's father (Charles Weir) is the son of one of Joseph Sager's daughters (Mary Jane Sager), who married into the Weir family (when & where, I don't know) and somehow/sometime came to the United States. Hence, I am assuming that I am related to Joseph Sager. It's a labrynthine story...but I am fascinated by it and looking forward to finding out more. My dad never had the benefit of computers and the internet to do such research. It is my great fortune to be able to do this, and I am very thankful to you for providing such a valuable service to those who are researching their ancestry. Even if it turns out that Joseph Sager is actually not a distant relation, I still will have had a superb adventure trying to interpret the last will and testament written by him. My parents are gone now and there are no grandparents, aunts, or uncles still surviving on my father's side who could shed light on the riddle of Joseph Sager's last will & testament, but perhaps a snapshot of the headstone in St. Mary's cemetery will be helpful. If you email me the photo I would be so very greatful. Thank you again for such a generous and helpful service. Greg Davis, Media, PA, 19063, USA
(requested on 21 02 2012)

I am researching the Sager Family tree for my wife. Joseph Sager would be her 8th great grandfather. Thanks, Sean Dorfman
(requested on 24 12 2012)