Gage family.

Anne Sargent Gage (1794-1876), nee Nancy Brown, was born out of wedlock and her birth "...was a Boston Society scandal of the last decade of the 18th century." Her parents, both from prominent Boston families, were Daniel Sargent (1764-1842), a wealthy merchant and insurance executive, and Hepzibah Atkins Brown ( -1800). Hepzibah was the daughter of Henry Atkings, also a distinguished Boston merchant, and the widow of James Brown ( - ), whom she married in 1788, but who died shortly thereafter. She married, in 1796, James Durfee ( - ), with whom she had a daughter, Mary.

For the first two years of her life, "Nancy" was raised by her mother. In 1796, her father placed her in the care of the family of a Mr. John Hall of Dorchester, Mass. There she remained until 1808 when it was decided that she disappear from Boston society. She was sent to live with Rev. Lincoln Ripley (1761-1858) and Phebe Emerson Riply (1772- ), sister of Rev. William Emerson (1769-1811) and aunt of Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), in Waterford, Me. Also at that time her name was changed to Anne Brewer. She had no further contact with her father, though he provided for her financially. Around the time of her marriage she wrote her father telling him she wanted to be married with the name Anne Sargent. He never responded, either agreeing or disagreeing with the request, and Anne went ahead and did so.

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