He was born on 4 August 1841, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Robert H Sinex and Elizabeth C Anderson. [sources: date: 26; 15, 20; 9 (20 in 1861), 13 (29 in 1870), 15 (58 in 1900), 18 (38 in 1880), 27 (1841), 28 (9 in 1850), 29 (19 in 1860), 30. place: 9, 13, 15, 18, 26, 28, 29, 30 (Philadelphia, Delaware, PA). parents: 26, 28, 29, 30]
In 1850, he was living in Lombard Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with (his presumed parents) Robert and Elizabeth, and (presumed siblings) Josephine, Henry Clay, Thomas T, and Elizabeth (along with one other person). He had attended school within the year. [source: 28]
In 1860, he was living in ward 3, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with (his presumed parents) Robert and Eliz., and (presumed siblings) Josephine, Henry, Thomas, Eliz., and Andrew. He was a carpenter. [source: 29]
He was apparently Joseph Sinex's nephew. [source: 6]
When he enlisted, he was a carpenter. [source: 9]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 8 inches tall, and had a light complexion, blue eyes, and dark hair. [source: 9]
He also served in company D of the 17th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was enlisted on 18 April 1861, and discharged on 2 August 1861. [sources: 14, 17, 21]
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 21 September 1861 or 24 September 1861. He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Sinex. He was mustered into service by Captain Starr or Captain Dye. He was a private, in company D. [sources: 1 (21 Sep), 8, 9, 14, 32-33 (1st sgt)]
He was promoted to first sergeant on 8 October 1861. [source: 8]
In December 1861, he was accidentally cut with a sword. Because of this cut, he lost several pieces of bone from his left leg, below his knee. [source: 11]
On 11 September 1862, he witnessed the enlistment of John Horton (D), at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 34]
On 10 November 1862, a Sergeant Sinexon [sic], and about one hundred and fifty other recruiters, took a band to Baltimore to greet General McClellan. Since McClellan didn't arrive as expected, they went to Dr JRB McClellan's house, and played various patriotic songs. Robert Sinex is the best candidate for being this Sergeant Sinexon. [source: 22]
He was wounded on 13 December 1862 at Fredericksburg, Virginia. He was shot in the right hip; the ball was not extracted. [sources: 1, 11]
On 24 January 1863, he arrested Michael Gallagher (D) at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 23]
On 7 March 1863, he returned for duty with the regiment (probably from being absent sick). [source: 5]
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg. On 3 July 1863, he was detailed as a Regimental Hospital Attendant, and ordered to report to Assistant Surgeon William Kier. [sources: 3, 10]
He was transferred on 10 August 1863 to the Veterans' reserve corps. He was first sergeant of company D. He served in the 9th Veterans' reserve corps. He was then sergeant major. [sources: 1, 11, 31, 32-33]
On 8 September 1863 Lieutenant Colonel Sinex stated that they had heard unofficially that he had been transferred to the Veterans' reserve corps, but had not heard anything official (2). According to their records, he was still at Camp Convalescent, Alexandria, Virginia. On 9 September 1863, Sinex detailed a replacement for him in the Brigade Hospital. On 28 October 1863, the regiment officially reported him transfered. [sources: 2, 4, 7]
He served in the 9th Veterans Reserve Corps. On 28 April 1864, he was discharged to reenlist, and reenlisted. He was Sergeant Major. [sources: 14, 17, 21]
According to a death notice, he was a Secret Service agent, saw Lincoln assassinated, and participated in John Wilkes Booth's capture. [source: 12]
He was discharged at Washington, DC, on 27 November 1865 (11, 14 [17 November 1865], 17 [17 November 1865]).
He apparently married Susan Clara Springer. She died on 28 July 1864, in Baltimore, Maryland. [source: 30]
In 1865/66, he married Annie Powell Airey. She was born in February (?) 1845, in Pennsylvania. (She was named after her maternal grandmother, Anna Powell, who was born in Wales. After her mother died, she lived with her grandparents in Clifford, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, and returned to Hazleton when her father remarried.) Their children include:
[sources: 15 (10 children, 4 living, in 1900), 16 (10 children, 3 living, in 1910), 18, 20]
He "devoted his attention" to bridge building and contracting. [souce: 12]
He served a term as School Director in Hazleton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. [source: 12]
On 3 January 1873, he applied successfully for a pension. [sources: 17, 21]
In 1870, he was living in the East Ward of Mauch Chunk Borough, Carbon County, Pennsylvania. He was a carpenter. He was living with his wife Annie and (presumed) children Albert and Robert J. [source: 13]
In 1880, he was living in Hazleton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. He was a carpenter, and had been unemployed for 10 months in the previous year. He was living with his wife Annie, and children Albertus, Robert, William, and Annie. [source: 18]
In 1890, he was living in the East Ward of Hazleton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. He had a sword wound in his left leg, a shot wound in his right leg, chronic catarrh, and was hard of hearing in the left ear. [source: 14]
In 1900, he was living at 72 Cedar Street, Hazleton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. He was a carpenter. He was living with his wife Anna and children Cora and Foster. [source: 15]
He received a pension of $10 starting 8 April 1907. The pension was increased to $12 on 1 May 1907. [source: 11]
In 1910, he was living at 72 South Cedar Street, Hazleton, Pennsylvania. He was a house carpenter. He was living with his wife Annie. [source: 16]
He died on 17 November 1910, at 72 South Cedar Street, ward 2, Hazleton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. He died of dilatation of heart, with pulmonary complications and general edema contributing. He was a carpenter/inspector. On 21 November 1910, he was buried in the Vine Street Cemetery, Hazleton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. [sources: 11, 20, 21, 24, 26, 27, 31]
On 26 November 1910, his widow, Annie Sinex, applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension. [sources: 17, 21]
In 1920, his widow, Anna Sinex, was living on 79 South Ader [?] Street, Hazleton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. She was living with her daughter Cora Weidenbach and Cora's family. [source: 19]
On 11 October 1922, Anna Sinex died, in Hazleton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. She was buried in the Vine Street Cemetery, Hazleton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. [sources: 20, 25]
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 8 Sep 1863
3 special order 41, HQ 91st PA, 3 July 1863
4 special order 75, HQ 91st PA, 9 September 1863
5 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 7 March 1863 (Sergt Sinex)
6 e-mail, Donald J Sinex
7 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 28 October 1863 (Sergt Sinex)
8 company D, list of non-commissioned officers (Robert H Sinex)
9 company D, descriptive roll, sergeants, entry 1 (Robert H Sinex)
10 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (Robert H Sinex)
11 'Waughtel & Wilcox Genealogy & Family History'. Web page, available at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~waughtel/military_history.htm (viewed November 2006). (Robert H Sinex Jr)
12 'Saw Lincoln Assassinated'. Philadelphia Inquirer, 19 November 1910, page 3 (Robert Sinex Sr)
13 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Carbon County, East Ward Mauch Chunk Borough, microfilm series M593, film 1320, page 281 = 24 handwritten (Robert H Sinex)
14 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Luzerne County, Hazleton, East Ward, supervisor's district 5, enumeration district 192, roll 84, page 3 (Robert H Sinex)
15 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Luzerne County, Hazleton, ward 2, supervisor's district 6, enumeration district 58, microfilm series T623, film 1431, page 215 = 22B handwritten] (Robert H Sinex)
16 1910 US census, Pennsylvania, Luzerne County, Hazleton, ward 2, microfilm series T624, film 1367, page 288 = 12B handwritten] (Robert H Sinex)
17 pension index, by name (Robert H Sinex Jr)
18 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Luzerne County, Hazleton Borough, supervisor's district 5, enumeration district 152, microfilm series T9, film 1151, page 514 B = 22 handwritten (Robert Sinex)
19 1920 US census, Pennsylvania, Luzerne County, Hazleton, ward 2, supervisor's district 8, enumeration district 71, microfilm series T625, film 1593, page 26 B = 9 handwritten (Anna Sinex)
20 e-mail, Lois, 15 August 2008 (Robert H Sinex)
21 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company D (Robert H Sinex Jr)
22 'The recruiting sergeants ...' (Philadelphia Inquirer 11 November 1862 page 8) (Sergeant Sinexon [sic])
23 order promulgating sentence for Michael Gallagher (court-martial file LL 231) (Robert H Sinex)
24 Pennsylvania death indices, 1910 ("Sinex, Robert H.; 110763; Hazleton; Nov. 17.")
25 Pennsylvania death indices, 1922 ("520 Anna Sinex Haz 94354 10/11")
26 death certificate, Pennsylvania, Luzerne County, 17 November 1910, file number 110763 (Robert H Sinex)
27 Find a grave, memorial 39211068, created by Star Kline, added 8 July 2009, accessed 22 April 2013 (includes photo of headstone) (Robert H Sinex)
28 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Lombard Ward, microfilm series M432, film 812, pages 195 verso = 386 handwritten to 196 recto = 387 handwritten (FamilySearch) (Robert H Sennix)
29 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 3, microfilm series M653, film 1153, page 364 = 140 handwritten (FamilySearch) (Robert Lennex [sic])
30 'Robert H Sinex', in Koch/Pfromm/Schneider/Schaefer family tree, a family tree available on Ancestry, owner kochwayne, accessed 23 April 2013 (Robert H Sinex)
31 Pennsylvania burial cards, 1929-1990 (Robert H Sinex)
32 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Robert H Senix)
33 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Robert H Sinex Jr)
34 compiled service records, D 91 PA, John Horton (Sergt Robert H Sinex)
| line | 40 | 41 | 42 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Dwellings visited | 31 | 31 | ||||||
| Families visited | 37 | 37 | ||||||
| Name | Robert Sennix | Elizabeth " | Josephine " | Robert H Sennix | Henry Clay " | Thomas T " | Elizabeth " | William Hews [?] |
| Age | 37 | 34 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 19 |
| Sex | m | f | f | m | m | m | f | m |
| Color | ||||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Carpenter | Carpenter | ||||||
| Real estate owned | 2000 | |||||||
| Birthplace | Del | Pa | " | Pa | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | ||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | ||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| Dwelling number | [905] | |||||||
| Family number | 1095 | |||||||
| Name | Robert Lennex | Eliz " | Josephine " | Robert " | Henry | Thomas " | Eliz " | Andrew " |
| Age | 46 | 45 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 13 | 11 | 4 |
| Sex | m | f | f | m | m | m | f | m |
| Color | ||||||||
| Occupation | Carpenter | Milliner | Carpenter | Gardner [sic] | ||||
| Value of real estate owned | ||||||||
| Value of personal estate | 50 | |||||||
| Place of birth | Delaware | Philada | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | ||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Cannot read & write | ||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 |
| Dwelling-house number | 159 | |||
| Family number | 174 | |||
| Name | Sinex Robert H | - Annie | - Albert | - Robert J |
| Age | 29 | 25 | 3 | 1 |
| Sex | M | F | M | M |
| Color | W | W | W | W |
| Occupation | Carpenter | Keeping House | ||
| Real estate value | ||||
| Personal estate value | 300 | |||
| Birthplace | " [sc. Penna] | " | " | " |
| Father foreign born | 1 | |||
| Mother foreign born | ||||
| Birth month if born within year | ||||
| Marriage month if married within year | ||||
| Attended school past year | ||||
| Can't read | ||||
| Can't write | ||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | ||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old | 1 | |||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| line | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| street name | ||||||
| house number | ||||||
| dwelling visit # | 166 | |||||
| family visit # | 241 | |||||
| name | Sinex Robert | - Annie | - Albertus | - Robert | - William | - Annie |
| color | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | M | M | M | M |
| age | 38 | 35 | 13 | 10 | 5 | 9/12 |
| month born if born in year | Sept | |||||
| relationship | Wife | Son | Son | Son | Daughter | |
| single | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| married | 1 | 1 | ||||
| widowed/divorced | ||||||
| married during year | ||||||
| occupation | Carpenter | Keeping House | At School | At School | ||
| months unemployed | 10 | |||||
| currently ill? | ||||||
| blind | ||||||
| deaf/dumb | ||||||
| idiotic | ||||||
| insane | ||||||
| disabled | ||||||
| school this year | 1 | 1 | ||||
| can't read | ||||||
| can't write | ||||||
| birthplace | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| father's birthplace | Penna | England | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| mother's birthplace | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| line | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 |
| street | Cedar | |||
| house number | 72 | |||
| dwelling number | 442 | |||
| family number | 496 | |||
| name | Sinex Robert H | - Anna P [?] | - Cora H | - Foster [?] C |
| relationship | Head | Wife | Daughter | Son |
| color | W | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | F | M |
| birth date | Aug [?] 1841 | Feb [??] 1845 | Sep 1879 | Apr [?] 1888 |
| age | 58 | 55 | 20 | 12 |
| married? | M | M | S | S |
| # years married | 34 | 34 | ||
| mother of how many children? | 10 | |||
| # of children living | 4 | |||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | England | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Wales | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| immigration year | ||||
| # years in USA | ||||
| naturalized citizen? | ||||
| occupation | Carpenter | Milliner | At School | |
| # months not employed | 0 | 9 | ||
| # months in school | 9 [?] | |||
| can read | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| can write | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| speaks English | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| owned/rented | R | |||
| free or mortgaged | ||||
| farm/house | H | |||
| # of farm schedule |
| line | 55 | 56 |
| street | South Cedar Street | |
| house nr | 72 | |
| dwelling nr | 239 | |
| family nr | 259 | |
| name | Sinex Robert H | - Annie |
| relationship | Head | Wife |
| sex | M | F |
| color | W | W |
| age | 68 | 65 |
| marital status | M1 | M1 |
| #years present marriage | 43 | 43 |
| mother of # children | 10 | |
| mother of # living children | 3 | |
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Delaware | Eng English |
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Wales Welsh |
| immigrated | ||
| naturalized/alien | ||
| speaks English | English | English |
| occupation | Carpenter | None |
| nature of industry etc. | House | |
| employer etc. | W | |
| out of work 15 Apr 1910? | No | |
| # weeks out of work 1909 | 0 | |
| can read | Yes | Yes |
| can write | Yes | Yes |
| school since 1 Sep 09 | ||
| owned/rented | R | |
| owned free or mortagaged | ||
| farm/house | H | |
| nr on farm schedule | ||
| civil war vet | ||
| blind | ||
| deaf & dumb | ||
| line | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 |
| street | South Ader [?] St | |||||
| house number | 79 | |||||
| dwelling visit number | 189 | |||||
| family visit number | 218 | |||||
| name | Weidenbach, Albert | -, Cora | -, Paul | - Helen | - Catherine | Sinex, Mrs Anna |
| relationship | Head | Wife | son | daughter | daughter | mother in law |
| own/rent | R | |||||
| free/mortgaged (if owned) | ||||||
| sex | M | F | M | F | F | F |
| race | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| age at last birthday | 41 | 40 | 18 | 12 | 10 | 74 |
| marital status | M | M | S | S | S | Wd |
| year of immigration | ||||||
| naturalized/alien | ||||||
| year of naturalization | ||||||
| attended school since Sept 1919 | Yes | Yes | ||||
| can read | ||||||
| can write | ||||||
| birth place | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| native language | ||||||
| father's birthplace | Germany | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | England |
| father's native language | German | English | ||||
| mother's birthplace | Germany | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Wales |
| mother's native language | German | Welsh | ||||
| can speak English | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| occupation | Plumber | None | Weaver | None | None | None |
| industry, business | House | Silk Mill | ||||
| employment status | OA | W | ||||
| number of farm schedule | ||||||
HAZLETON, Pa., Nov. 18.--Robert Sinex, Sr., who died here today, was a veteran of the Civil War and a Secret Service agent of the government, in which capacity he witnessed the assassination of President Lincoln in Ford's Theatre, Washington, and participated in the capture of J. Wilkes Booth, the assassin. Mr. Sinex after the war devoted his attention to bridge building and contracting. He served a term as City School Director.