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William T. Sinclair Jr.
He was born in Buffalo, NY. He was accomplished in the area of Politics. He later died on 9-21-1936.
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William T. Sinclair Jr. was one of three children born in Buffalo during the 1850s to William T. Sr. and Susan Sinclair. The elder Sinclair, born in Maryland during slavery, possibly arrived in Buffalo via the Underground Railroad. He supported his family as a waiter. The family resided on Elm Street, and during that time, William Jr. worked as a waiter and a porter. it was during the late 1870s when Grover Cleveland became Erie County Sheriff and Mayor in 1882. During this period, he encountered William Sr, who provided him service as a waiter at a downtown establishment. He was quite pleased with Sinclair's public service and offered him a job when he left Buffalo to become the Governor of New York. The older Sinclair turned him down; however, he recommended his son, William Jr. William Sinclair Jr. joined Cleveland as his Steward at the Executive Mansion during his term as Governor. William Sr. passed away by 1873. William, Jr 's older brother, John, died in 1879 from tuberculosis.
When Cleveland became President of the United States, he appointed Sinclair as the Head Steward of the White House. Sinclair was the second African American appointed as a steward in the White House. The Official Register of the United States reported that Sinclair earned a salary of $1,800 a year in 1887 (equivalent to over $50,000 today). Sinclair was responsible for greeting guests, managing the staff, overseeing all property in the White House, managing food supplies, wines, liquors, cigars, and shopping. He was provided with a Dayton wagon and driver for his White House business travels. He became well-known and respected by the merchants in the DC area.
Sinclair also served in the White House during the presidency of William McKinley until 1901, when President McKinley was assassinated. He was the Chief Steward, the first African American to hold this position.
His younger sister, Louisa, joined him in DC and passed away in 1901; she is buried in Buffalo. After his time at the White House, William Sinclair spent the rest of his life with his wife in her hometown of Albany, NY, until he died in 1936. He is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, NY.
When Cleveland became President of the United States, he appointed Sinclair as the Head Steward of the White House. Sinclair was the second African American appointed as a steward in the White House. The Official Register of the United States reported that Sinclair earned a salary of $1,800 a year in 1887 (equivalent to over $50,000 today). Sinclair was responsible for greeting guests, managing the staff, overseeing all property in the White House, managing food supplies, wines, liquors, cigars, and shopping. He was provided with a Dayton wagon and driver for his White House business travels. He became well-known and respected by the merchants in the DC area.
Sinclair also served in the White House during the presidency of William McKinley until 1901, when President McKinley was assassinated. He was the Chief Steward, the first African American to hold this position.
His younger sister, Louisa, joined him in DC and passed away in 1901; she is buried in Buffalo. After his time at the White House, William Sinclair spent the rest of his life with his wife in her hometown of Albany, NY, until he died in 1936. He is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, NY.
Supported by
Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and the Joseph R. Takats Foundation Trust.
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