The Chatham, New York, branch of the Sinclair family was founded in New York state about a century ago by John Sinclair, who was born in England in 1804, died in Greene county, New York, in 1860. When a young man of twenty years he came to the United States, where he became a manufacturer of woolen goods and a prominent citizen of Greene county, New York. He married Ann Jane Buchanan, who died in 1886. She was a daughter of John Buchanan, born in the north of Ireland, came to the United States when a young man, located in New York City where he died at the extreme age of ninety-four years. He was engaged in manufacturing and was a well-known and successful man. He and family were members of the Presbyterian church. Ann Jane Buchanan was born in New York City about the year 1810 and died at Adams, Massachusetts. After her marriage to John Sinclair they lived in Greene county, New York. They were the parents of five sons and five daughters, including John B., of further mention, and Margaret, married Albert Hannum.
(II) John B., son of John and Ann Jane (Buchanan) Sinclair, was born in Freehold, Greene county, New York, February 22, 1848. He was educated in the public schools, and in early life was a worker in the woolen mills of the section, later becoming a manufacturer. After several years of active life in the woolen business he removed to Seymour, Connecticut, where he was proprietor of the Windsor Hotel and manager of the Tingue Opera House. In 1880 he assumed the management of the Nassau House, where he remained for several years. In 1896 he located in Chatham, New York where he purchased the Chatham House. He was a successful, popular "Mine Host," and made the "Chatham" the most delightful and best patronized house in Columbia county. He continued in its management until September, 1906, when he sold his entire hotel interest. He then established a plant in Chatham for the manufacture of barrels of all kinds, and has since been devoted to its management and successful operation. Since 1907 Mr. Sinclair has been continuously in public life. In that year he was elected by the Republican Party to represent his district in the New York house of assembly, where he served with credit on committees on internal affairs, commerce and navigation, public lands and forestry. In the same year (1907) he was elected mayor of Chatham, and his conduct of public affairs was so satisfactory to his townsmen that he was re-elected in 1908-09-10, and is now serving his fourth term. He has proved a most valuable public official and under his watchful eye the public business of Chatham is vigorously and carefully conducted. He belongs to many societies and organizations and is a life member of Oriental Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Broadbrook, Connecticut. He married (first) in 1870, at North Adams, Massachusetts, Amanda L. Moon, born in Adams, Massachusetts, 1847, died at Seymour, Connecticut, 1889, daughter of John Moon. Children:
- Anna J., born in Clarksburg, Massachusetts, 1871, married Stillman Wright, of Seymour, Connecticut, where they now reside. Child, Helen deceased.
- John B. (2), born at Clarksburg, 1873, now a resident of Seymour, Connecticut, in the employ of the Day Manufacturing Company. He married Ida Reigal, of Seymour. Child, Harold, died in early childhood.
John B. Sinclair married (second) in Petersburg, New York, Mrs. Mary A. Schofield, born in Adams, Massachusetts, in 1846, daughter of Thomas and Maria (Fuller) Lyons, and widow of George Schofield.