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Mrs. Russell Sage. America

1881-06-02: Sage, Margaret Olivia Slocum, to Edwin D. Morgan; 1881-04-04: Sage, Russell, to Edwin...

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1881-06-02: Sage, Margaret Olivia Slocum, to Edwin D. Morgan; 1881-04-04: Sage, Russell, to Edwin D. Morgan

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Title	1881-06-02: Sage, Margaret Olivia Slocum, to Edwin D. Morgan; 1881-04-04: Sage, Russell, to Edwin D. Morgan
Creator	Sage, Margaret Olivia Slocum; Sage, Russell
Date Created	1881-04-04; 1881-06-02
Decade	1880s
Index Terms	Margaret Olivia Sage, voluntary work New-York Woman's Hospital (Woman's Hospital in the State of New York) "work of benevolence" Sage, Olivia and Russell, marriage, joint ventures
Commentary	Having married one of the wealthiest men in the United States, financial right-hand man to Jay Gould, in 1869 Olivia Sage might have opted for a life of luxury and leisure. But “leisure-class” women of the nineteenth century often took up public roles. Here, Olivia addresses New York Governor Hon. Edwin D. Morgan about the coal supply to the New York Woman’s Hospital. As Treasurer of the Lady Managers' Board of the Hospital, she asks him order coal, signing herself, "M. Olivia Sage" rather than “Mrs. Russell Sage.” Note the peculiar public-private status of the Hospital, the elusive identity of the married woman deriving her status from her relationship to her husband, but using it pursue an independent line of public work, or in this case, to appear as her husband’s partner in support of this Hospital. Note the "public housekeeping" role of Olivia Sage, her assumed role as public housekeeper, and her access to the governor of the state by virtue of her marriage to multi-millionaire Russell Sage. Legend has it that the Sage marriage was miserable but these letters reveal an instance where Russell and Olivia had joint or parallel interests. [Commentary written by Dr. Ruth Crocker]
Item Description	This image is two documents: a handwritten letter from Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage to Edwin D. Morgan and a handwritten letter from Russell Sage to Edwin D. Morgan. Mrs. Sage asks Gov. Morgan for more coal for the New-York Woman's Hospital. Mr. Sage introduces a business acquaintance to Gov. Morgan. [Item Description created by Auburn University Libraries]
Transcription	Hon. E. D. Morgan Dear Sir, The engineer at the Hospital made a requisition yesterday for Forty tons Chestnut Coal and as I am on the Coal Committee, Mrs. Jones desired me to ask if it would be convenient for you to order it? Yours very Respectfully M. Olivia Sage Thursday June 2nd 1881 506 Fifth Avenue April 4, 1881 Dear Gov. Morgan This will be handed you by Mr. G. G. [Gaines ?], the experienced and successful steam heating, for dwellings and public buildings, manufacturer. I have known him for some time past and have known of his work and therefore, take pleasure in recommending him to your favorable consideration. Yours truly, Russell Sage
Language	eng
File Name	115.jpg
Collection	Papers of Edwin D. Morgan
Repository	New York State Library, New York State Archives, Albany, N.Y.
Rights	This image is not the property of the Auburn University Libraries. Anyone wishing to use this image must contact the repository listed above for permission.
Digital Publisher	Auburn University Libraries
Mini-Collections	Voluntary work, benevolence New-York Woman's Hospital Domestic ideology