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Robert H Sinex

Before the war

He was born in August [?] 1841 (15, 20). He was 20 years old when he was enlisted (9, 13 [29 in 1870], 15 [58 in 1900], 18 [38 in 1880]). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (9, 13, 15, 18).

He may be Joseph Sinex's brother (6).

He was a carpenter (9).

Description

He was 5 feet 8 inches tall, and had a light complexion, blue eyes, and dark hair (9).

During the war

He also served in company D of the 17th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (14, 17, 21). He was enlisted on 18 April 1861, and discharged on 2 August 1861 (14).

He was enlisted and mustered into service on 21 September 1861 (1) or 24 September 1861 (8, 9, 14). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Sinex (9). He was mustered into service by Captain Starr (8) or Captain Dye (9). He served in company D (1).

He was promoted to first sergeant on 8 October 1861 (8).

In December 1861, he was accidentally cut with a sword (11). Because of this cut, he lost several pieces of bone from his left leg, below his knee (11).

He was wounded on 13 December 1862 at Fredericksburg, Virginia (1). He was shot in the right hip; the ball was not extracted (11).

On 7 March 1863, he returned for duty with the regiment (probably from being absent sick) (5).

He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (10). On 3 July 1863, he was detailed as a Regimental Hospital Attendant, and ordered to report to Assistant Surgeon William Kier (3).

He was transferred on 10 August 1863 to the Veterans' reserve corps (1). He was then sergeant major (11).

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 (2). On 9 September 1863, Sinex detailed a replacement for him in the Brigade Hospital (4). On 28 October 1863, the regiment officially reported him transfered (7).

He served in the 9th Veterans Reserve Corps (14, 17, 21). On 28 April 1864, he was discharged to reenlist, and reenlisted (14). He was Sergeant Major (21).

According to a death notice, he was a Secret Service agent, saw Lincoln assassinated, and participated in John Wilkes Booth's capture (12).

He was discharged at Washington, DC, on 27 November 1865 (11, 14 [17 November 1865], 17 [17 November 1865]).

After the war

In 1865/66, he married Annie Powell Airey (15, 16, 20). (She was named after her maternal grandmother, Anna Powell, who was born in Wales (20). After her mother died, she lived with her grandparents in Clifford, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, and returned to Hazleton when her father remarried (20).) In 1900, she had had ten children, four of whom were alive (15). In 1910, she had had ten children, three of whom were alive (16).

He "devoted his attention" to bridge building and contracting (12).

He served a term as School Director in Hazleton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania (12).

On 3 January 1873, he applied successfully for a pension (17, 21).

In 1870, he was living in the East Ward of Mauch Chunk Borough, Carbon County, Pennsylvania (13). He was a carpenter (13). He was living with his wife Annie and (presumed) children Albert and Robert J (13).

In 1880, he was living in Hazleton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania (18). He was a carpenter, and had been unemployed for 10 months in the previous year (18). He was living with his wife Annie, and children Albertus, Robert, William, and Annie (18).

In 1890, he was living in the East Ward of Hazleton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania (14). 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 (14).

In 1900, he was living at 72 Cedar Street, Hazleton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania (15). He was a carpenter (15). He was living with his wife Anna and children Cora and Frank (15).

He received a pension of $10 starting 8 April 1907 (11). The pension was increased to $12 on 1 May 1907 (11).

In 1910, he was living at 72 South Cedar Street, Hazleton, Pennsylvania (16). He was a house carpenter (16). He was living with his wife Annie (16).

He died on 17 November 1910 (11, 20, 21). He was buried on 21 November 1910, in Vine Street Cemetery, Hazleton, Pennsylvania (11).

On 26 November 1910, his widow, Annie Sinex, applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (17, 21).

In 1920, his widow, Anna Sinex, was living on 79 South Ader [?] Street, Hazleton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania (19). She was living with her daughter Cora Weidenbach and Cora's family (19).

Anna Sinex died in 1910 (20). She was buried in the Vine Street Cemetery, Hazleton, Pennsylvania (20).

Sources

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)

1870 census

[1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Carbon County, East Ward Mauch Chunk Borough, microfilm series M593, film 1320, page 281 = 24 handwritten]
line33343536
Dwelling-house number159   
Family number174   
NameSinex Robert H- Annie- Albert- Robert J
Age292531
SexMFMM
ColorWWWW
OccupationCarpenterKeeping House  
Real estate value    
Personal estate value300   
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 old1   
Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ...    

1880 census

[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]
line212223242526
street name      
house number      
dwelling visit #166     
family visit #241     
nameSinex Robert- Annie- Albertus- Robert- William- Annie
colorWWWWWW
sexMFMMMM
age3835131059/12
month born if born in year     Sept
relationship WifeSonSonSonDaughter
single  1111
married11    
widowed/divorced      
married during year      
occupationCarpenterKeeping HouseAt SchoolAt School  
months unemployed10     
currently ill?      
blind      
deaf/dumb      
idiotic      
insane      
disabled      
school this year  11  
can't read      
can't write      
birthplacePennaPennaPennaPennaPennaPenna
father's birthplacePennaEnglandPennaPennaPennaPenna
mother's birthplacePennaPennaPennaPennaPennaPenna

1890 census, veterans schedule

[1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Luzerne County, Hazleton, East Ward, supervisor's district 5, enumeration district 192, roll 84, page 3]
[line] 30
[house] 315
[family] 341
[name] Robert H Sinex
[rank] Private
[company] D
[unit] 17 Inf Penn Vol
[enlistment date] 18 April 1861
[discharge date] 2 Aug 1861
[length of service] 0 years, 3 months, 14 days
[post office address] do [sc. Hazleton, Luzerne Co, Penna]
[disability incurred] [blank]
[remarks] [blank]

[line] 31
[house] [blank]
[family] [blank]
[name] do
[rank] Sergeant Major
[company] x
[unit] 9 Vet Res Corps [sic]
[enlistment date] 24 Sept 1861
[discharge date] 28 Apl 1864
[length of service] 2 years, 7 months, 4 days
[post office address] [blank]
[disability incurred] Discharged to re-enlist
[remarks] sword wound left leg

[line] 32
[house] [blank]
[family] [blank]
[name] do
[rank] Sergeant Major
[company] X
[unit] 9 Vet Res Corps
[enlistment date] 28 Apl 1864
[discharge date] 17 Nov 1865
[length of service] 1 year, 6 months, 19 days
[post office address] [blank]
[disability incurred] Chronic Catarrh, Hard of Hearing Left Ear.
[remarks] shot wound right leg

1900 census

[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]
line95969798
streetCedar   
house number72   
dwelling number442   
family number496   
nameSinex Robert H- Anna P [?]- Cora H- Frank [??] C
relationshipHeadWifeDaughterSon
colorWWWW
sexMFFM
birth dateAug [?] 1841Feb [??] 1845Sep 1879Apr [?] 1888
age58552012
married?MMSS
# years married3434  
mother of how many children? 10  
# of children living 4  
birthplacePennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvania
father's birthplacePennsylvaniaEnglandPennsylvaniaPennsylvania
mother's birthplacePennsylvaniaWalesPennsylvaniaPennsylvania
immigration year    
# years in USA    
naturalized citizen?    
occupationCarpenter MillinerAt School
# months not employed0 9 
# months in school   9 [?]
can readYesYesYesYes
can writeYesYesYesYes
speaks EnglishYesYesYesYes
owned/rentedR   
free or mortgaged    
farm/houseH   
# of farm schedule    

1910 census

[1910 US census, Pennsylvania, Luzerne County, Hazleton, ward 2, microfilm series T624, film 1367, page 288 = 12B handwritten]
line5556
streetSouth Cedar Street
house nr72 
dwelling nr239 
family nr259 
nameSinex Robert H- Annie
relationshipHeadWife
sexMF
colorWW
age6865
marital statusM1M1
#years present marriage4343
mother of # children 10
mother of # living children 3
birthplacePennsylvaniaPennsylvania
father's birthplaceDelawareEng English
mother's birthplacePennsylvaniaWales Welsh
immigrated  
naturalized/alien  
speaks EnglishEnglishEnglish
occupationCarpenterNone
nature of industry etc.House 
employer etc.W 
out of work 15 Apr 1910?No 
# weeks out of work 19090 
can readYesYes
can writeYesYes
school since 1 Sep 09  
owned/rentedR 
owned free or mortagaged  
farm/houseH 
nr on farm schedule  
civil war vet  
blind  
deaf & dumb  

1920 census

[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]
line636465666768
streetSouth Ader [?] St
house number79     
dwelling visit number189     
family visit number218     
nameWeidenbach, Albert-, Cora-, Paul- Helen- CatherineSinex, Mrs Anna
relationshipHeadWifesondaughterdaughtermother in law
own/rentR     
free/mortgaged (if owned)      
sexMFMFFF
raceWWWWWW
age at last birthday414018121074
marital statusMMSSSWd
year of immigration      
naturalized/alien      
year of naturalization      
attended school since Sept 1919   YesYes 
can read      
can write      
birth placePennaPennaPennaPennaPennaPenna
native language      
father's birthplaceGermanyPennaPennaPennaPennaEngland
father's native languageGerman    English
mother's birthplaceGermanyPennaPennaPennaPennaWales
mother's native languageGerman    Welsh
can speak EnglishYesYesYesYesYesYes
occupationPlumberNoneWeaverNoneNoneNone
industry, businessHouse Silk Mill   
employment statusOA W   
number of farm schedule      

death notice

[Philadelphia Inquirer, 19 November 1910, page 3]
Saw Lincoln Assassinated

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.


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revised 28 Oct 08
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