His date of birth is questionable. Most of his biographers say he was born on October 20, 1819.[4] Other sources—some provided by Sickles—give years of birth ranging from 1819 to 1825.[4] His New York Timesobituary gave his age as 91 years old when he died (which would mean he was born in 1823). His military record states that in 1861 he was 39 years old (indicating 1821 as his birth year).[4] In at least one interview given to reporters, he claimed he was born in 1825.[4] The 1910 United States Census said "about 1826". One theory for the different dates is that his parents may not have married until 1820.[4] Later dates might have been given to hide the fact he was born "out of wedlock" (before his parents married).[4]
