Sabine belonged to a branch of the Sabines of Patrixbourne in Kent. Entering the army at the Revolution, he served in Ireland under William III, who probably granted him the estates he held in co. Kildare.
During the rebellion of 1715 Sabine came over from Ireland with his regiment to Scotland, where he was left the chief command by General Cadogan in May 1716. In July following, the Duke of Atholl complained of ‘the conduct of General Sabine and other King’s officers, in regard to rebel prisoners and ... of the plundering and other impositions made by the troops’ in Perthshire.
