Sarah was born on November 21st, 1838 in Grahamstown and her baptism took place there on December 23rd, 1838. Sarah's father was John Phillip Camm and her mother was Charlotte Frances Lucas. Her paternal grandfather was Peter Camm and her paternal grandmother is <Unknown>. She had three brothers and three sisters, named William, John, Charles, Isabella, Charlotte and Jesse. She was the fourth oldest of the seven children.