NINETY YEARS
Mrs. Flora Sinex, a Pioneer
of New York, Celebrates
Her Ninetieth Birthday Very Happily

NOTE: These articles taken from the New Albany, Indiana newspaper.

The reunion held at the residence of Mrs. Thomas Collins, Salem, on Wednesday, 2nd inst., in celebration of the ninetieth birthday of her mother, Mrs. Flora Sinex, widow of Thomas Sinex, was attended by the children of the venerable lady, a number of her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and other relatives and friends. No one more heartily enjoyed the pleasant occasion than Mrs. Sinex. Rev. Dr. Thos. Sinex, of California, an eminent Methodist minister and a son of the venerable lady, was one among the most welcome of the guests.  Dr. and Mrs. Will H. Sinex and daughter, and Mr. & Mrs. John Huncilman, of this city, were present. The entertainment was in all its features most enjoyable to all in attendance.  Mrs. Sinex came to New Albany in 1815, and all of the seventy-six years intervening since her arrival in the then hamlet of log cabins have been passed by her in and near New Albany. Her husband and herself were pioneers of the M. E. church here, assisting in the erection of the first hewed log church building in this city in 1818. They were also among the pioneers that founded Centenary church, both being devoted in their religious services. There never was a more popular couple in New Albany, and for years they were affectionately known as "Uncle Tom" and "Aunt Flora Sinex". Mrs. Sinex's husband died many years ago and entered upon the reward.

1801 - 1891

Almost as old as the century -- these numbers representing the limits beyond the life of Mrs. Flora Sinex has been passed.  Back to the first half of Jefferson's Administration; before the days of steamboats, railroads, telegraph wires, back to the good old times we so frequently hear mentioned, the times when people were hospitable, free and generous. Just think, twenty other persons of an equal number of years would take us back to the beginning of the Christian era. What wonderful changes this period in the world's history has brought about. Wars and rumors of wars; strong governments have been born, have lived and have died during this time; arts, science and literature have developed as never before in the history of time. The period of man's life is "three score years and ten" yet is by reason of strength they be four score years, yet is there strength, labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off and we fly away. Here is one who has passed a whole decade beyond the limits given by the psalmist and still is in possession of all her mental faculties, clear and bright and in the full enjoyment of reasonably good physical health.  FLORA WEST was born in Wayne County, Pennsylvania in 1801. While still an infant her parents moved to New Haven, Conn. During the War of 1812 - 14 the family took refuge in New London, and the subject of this sketch was present when the British bombarded that town. In her fourteenth year the family moved to New Albany, Indiana, where in 1817 she was married to THOMAS SINEX with whom she lived for a period of fifty-three years, he dying in 1870. She is the mother of ten children, three of whom died in infancy. 

Nearly all of her life has been passed in and around New Albany which she has seen grow from a village of three or four houses to be one of the largest cities of Southern Indiana.  On Wednesday, Dec. 2d. 1891 was celebrated, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Maria L. Collins, her ninetieth birthday.  There were present four generations of the family. The three children now living were all present to honor the beloved mother.  The eldest, Rev. Thomas Sinex, D.D., of Riverside, California is well known to many of the older residents of Indiana. He was one of the first presidents of New Albany College, president of Female College at Bloomington, and for many years president of Albin, College of Michigan. For the past quarter of a century he has been a resident of California and for nearly half of that time has been either president or a member of the faculty of the University.  Dr. William Sinex having retired several years from the practice of medicine now resides in New Albany. Mrs. Maria L. Collins, widow of the late Judge T. L. Collins, at whose residence this unusual and delightful family gathering was brought about, is the only living daughter and with whom Grandma Sinex now makes her home. Relatives were present from Orleans, New Albany, Louisville, Knoxville, Tennessee, and various parts of Washington County. The dinner was perfect in all of its appointments, just such a one as Mrs. Collins knows so well how to prepare, and was thoroughly enjoyed by those present. The afternoon was spent in singing, conversation and reminiscences of earlier days. Even "Old Prob." gave us a delightful day at an unusual season of the year to grace the occasion. That Grandma Sinex may live to see the new century was the wish of all.