The Sykes Families of Smith County, Tennessee

Researched and Written by James M. (Jim) Sykes - Updated September 2004

This is a work in progress and is being provided at this time to assist other researchers..

Comments or Questions CLICK HERE

My great-grandfather, William Elias (Buck) Sykes was born in Smith County on October 16, 1831 and died in Smith County on January 12, 1908. He was the first known resident of Smith County with the surname of Sykes who lived his entire life as a resident of Smith County. Buck is buried in the Sykes Cemetery in Sykes, Tennessee. He was married twice; the first time on August 13, 1855 to Huldah Drushane Basinger. They had at least two sons:

1.     John Monroe Sykes, who was born on June 29, 1856, and

2.     James (Jim) Hamilton Sykes, who was born on October 5, 1858 and died on January 7, 1919. Jim is buried in the Sykes Cemetery.

Huldah Basinger died on March 25, 1860 and her grave is located on property that was owned by Bettie Moore in the 1970’s. Jim sometimes used the middle name of Hershel during his adult life but his middle name is listed as Hamilton in William’s family Bible. No additional information has been located on John Monroe Sykes but it is believed that he died at a young age. After the death of Huldah, his mother, a lawsuit was instituted to settle her father’s estate and her share of the estate was distributed to William as guardian of their minor son James H. Sykes. Since John Monroe was not mentioned in this July 1869 settlement it is assumed that he was not alive.

On October 28, 1860, Buck married Amanda (Mandie) Virginia Turner, who was born on February 19, 1838 in Smith County and died on her 84th birthday, February 19, 1922, in Smith County. Mandie is buried in the Sykes Cemetery. Buck and Mandie had eight children:

1.     Sarah Minerva Sykes, who was born on February 5, 1862 and died on May 23, 1944. Her name is listed as Sara Manurvia in the family Bible.

2.     Mary Etta Sykes, who was born on August 5, 1866 and died on June 30, 1947. Her middle name is listed as Etter in the family Bible.

3.     Lucy Lee Sykes, who was born on September 5, 1869 and died on August 16, 1965.

4.     Connie Frances Sykes, who was born on August 29, 1871 and died on December 9, 1951.

5.     William Joshua Sykes, who was born on September 15, 1873 and died on August 26, 1951.

6.     Thomas Wilson Sykes, who was born on September 14, 1875 and died on December 16, 1946.

7.     Robert Franklin Sykes, who was born on October 12, 1877 and died on February 11, 1965, and

8.     Jesse Edward Sykes, who was born on July 25, 1879 and died on August 23, 1897 after falling, or being thrown, from a horse.

The descendants from Buck’s first marriage to Huldah Basinger and his second marriage to Amanda Turner will be detailed later in this presentation to the extent possible.  As with all genealogical presentations, mistakes are inevitable, but all information presented here has been researched and reviewed with the utmost care.  When the reader finds mistakes, the writer will appreciate notification so that future presentations may be corrected.

Buck was the son of Joshua Sykes, Jr. and Leodicia (Dicey) Mangum. Joshua, Jr. was born about 1785, probably in Halifax County, North Carolina and we believe that he died sometime in the 1850’s in Smith County since 1850 is the last time that he appears in any known census enumeration. Dicey was born between 1788 and 1794, probably in Isle of Wight County, Virginia and died about 1848 in Smith County.

Joshua Sykes, Jr. was the son of Joshua Sikes, Sr. and Anne Morris. Joshua, Sr. was born about 1759, probably in Norfolk County, Virginia and died on February 10, 1823 in Smith County. His Will was probated at the 1823 February term of the Smith County Court. Anne was born about 1765, probably in Halifax County, North Carolina and died about 1818 in Smith County.  Joshua, Sr. and Anne had at least six children who were named in Joshua, Sr’s Will.  They were William Sykes, Terrill Sykes, Joshua Sykes, Jr., Rebecca Sykes Waggoner, Ann Sykes Nelms and Elizabeth Sykes Parker.  Major Lewis Sykes was listed in his Will as his grandson, a son of Elizabeth Parker and Nancy Waggoner was listed in his Will as his granddaughter.  He appointed Joshua Sykes, Jr. and Daniel Waggoner as Executors of his Will.

William Sykes is believed to have moved to Benton County, Tennessee and is believed to have married Nancy Moore. Some of the current Sykes family members who live in Benton County do not believe that the William Sykes who lived in Benton County was the son of Joshua Sikes, Sr. and Anne Morris.  This Benton County William and Nancy had several children and their descendants can be traced through the Benton County Website.

Terrill Sykes’ first known appearence in the records of Tennessee was when he was listed in the tax records of Davidson County in 1811. His first known appearance in Smith County was in 1816 when he served as an administrator of an estate. He is believed to have moved to Obion County before the 1820 Smith County census. Terrill does not appear in any known census enumeration. No records have been located on Terrill after the late 1830’s where he appears as a defendant in a lawsuit in Obion County and no records have been located to indicate that Terrill ever married or had children.

Joshua Sykes, Jr’s first known appearence in the records in Tennessee was when he was listed in the tax records or Davidson County in 1811.  His first known appearance in Smith County records was in the 1820 Smith County census.  Leodicia Mangum first appeared in the Smith County records as the wife of Elias Gwaltney in the 1820 Smith County census.  Leodicia and Elias Gwaltney are believed to have been born and married in Isle of Wight County, Virginia and moved to Smith County sometime before the 1820 census.  Elias Gwaltney died on July 31, 1827 in Smith County.  Joshua, Jr. and Leodicia Mangum are believed to have married in late 1830 after the 1830 census was taken and had at least two children, William Elias Sykes and Conney (or Canney) Sykes.  No additional records have been located on Conney Sykes but there is a Carna Sykes who married William L. Kimmon (or Kinnon) on February 7, 1858 in Smith County and some researchers believe that Carna and Conney are the same person.  Conney was shown at the age of 14 in the 1850  census. There was also a Dicy A. Sykes who married Daniel M. Justice in Smith County on April 13, 1852. Leland Bradley, a long time resident of Smith County, believed that Dicy was the sister of William and the daughter of Joshua, Jr. and Leodicia. Dicy was never listed by that name in any known Smith County census. Another resident of Smith County, Major Lewis Sykes, the grandson of Joshua, Sr. is believed by the writer to be the father of Dicy A. Sykes. The 1850 census listed one of his children as Ann and this child is the right age to have been the unnamed child listed in a Sykes Bible that initially belonged to Major’s wife and will be described later. The Dicy A. Sykes who married Daniel M. Justice in Smith County and a Dicy A. Justice at the right age to have been this Ann Sykes was located in the 1880 Arkansas Census in the Daniel Justice household.

Rebecca Sykes is believed to have married Daniel Waggoner in Davidson County, Tennessee in 1810. They lived in Smith County at the time of Joshua, Sr’s death but later are believed to have moved to Missouri. Extensive research on this part of the family has been conducted by Brenda Waggoner Kerns and Ramona Ward who are descendants of Rebecca Sykes and Daniel Waggoner and details of this family can be found on the Internet.

Ann (Anna) Sykes married William Nelms and they moved to Obion County, Tennessee.  Anna and William had several children and extensive research on this family is being conducted by Lawrence Nelms, a direct descendant. Details of this family can be found on the Internet.

Elizabeth Sykes is believed to have married John Parker and they are believed to have lived in Smith County until sometime after the death of Elizabeth’s parents. They are believed to have had several children but no additional information is available on Elizabeth and her husband or any of their children at this time. There were numerous Waggoners and Wagoners living in Smith County after John and Elizabeth no longer appear in the census records but no connection to any of these later residents has been located.

Major Lewis Sykes, the grandson of Joshua, Sr., is shown living in Smith County during the 1830, 1840 and1850 census and appears in other Smith County records until the early 1850’s.  Some confusion was created by the incorrect spelling of his surname in the 1850 census. Some typed copies have the surname spelled Silkes and others have Silker or Selker. Major married Elizabeth (Betsy) Shores and they had at least six children. Betsy had a family Bible that has been microfilmed by the Mormon Church and it can be ordered for viewing at one of their local churches. The Bible records indicate that Major’s name might actually have been Robert Allen Sykes. Betsy’s husband is shown as Robert Allen Sykes in the introduction to her Bible records microfilmed by the Mormon Church but there is no indication who wrote this introduction or where the name Robert Allen Sykes originated. Elizabeth Shores Sykes who lived in Smith County was always shown in the census records as living in the household of Major Lewis Sykes. Betsy was the daughter of Wiley and Didama Shores. She was born on April 13, 1800 in Georgia and died on July 29, 1852 in Smith County and is buried in the Prichard Cemetery in Smith County.  Their known children from Betsy’s Bible are, Levander M. Sykes, Catherine Haldane Sykes, Mayer Allen Sykes (used the name Robert H.), Margret Elizabeth Sykes, Rhody Sykes and Yetman W. Sykes. Another child listed in Betsy’s Bible records is Mandy Elizabeth Sykes but it is not clear if she is the child of Major and Betsy. Additionally, there is an indication in Betsy’s Bible records that there was another child who was born in October, 1833 but no name is shown in the Bible records. This is the child that the writer believes is Dicy A. Sykes who was married to Daniel Justice on April 13, 1852 in Smith County. One of the main reasons for this belief is that there is a female child by the name of Ann listed in the 1850 census at the age of 16 living with Major and Elizabeth.

Residents with the surname of Sykes who have been located in the Smith County records but have not yet been positively identified are: Carna Sykes, Dicy A. Sykes, Walter Sykes, Walter Ward Sykes, A. Sykes and C. Sykes. The Smith County records show that Carna A. Sykes married William L. Kimmon (or Kinnon) on February 7, 1858. The only known record that shows the name Dicy A. Sykes is her marriage to Daniel M. Justice on April 13, 1852.  As indicated earlier, we have located a Daniel Justice and wife, Dicy A. Justice (who appear to be the right ages to be this couple who married in Smith County) living in Bradshaw, Clay County, Arkansas when the 1880 census was taken and they are believed to have had a son, Ozias J. (Oscar) Justice born on April 4, 1853 in Hickman, Kentucky.  We have not yet located any additional information on this couple. Walter Sykes and Walter Ward Sykes are buried in the Rucks Cemetery in Smith County and no addditional records have been located on them.  A. Sykes and C. Sykes are shown in the 1920 Smith County census and no additional records or other information have been located on this couple. Additional information will be added to this presentation from time to time as it becomes available. If the reader has any additional information or would like to discuss the information contained herein, please contact the writer through my e-mail address in the “Surname” section of the Smith County webpage.  

Additional information that has been collected on the children of Major L. and Betsy Sykes indicate that Mayer Allen Sykes (who used the name Robert H.) and his wife, Elizabeth and their daughter Elizabeth (later listed as Sarah E.) lived in Smith County when the 1850 census was taken. Their sons Levander and Robert (Mayer) lived in DeKalb County with their families when the 1860 census was taken. They then moved Kentucky and from there moved to Arkansas between the 1860 DeKalb County census and the 1870 Arkansas census. This part of the family has been extensively researched by Mike Sykes, John Sykes and Sandra DeHart who are descendants. The writer of this presentation is not aware of any detailed information currently available on the Internet on this line of descendants. However, all information on this family that is available to the writer can be obtained by contacting the writer. John Sykes of London, Arkansas had a web page that detailed the descendants of this family but this web page has not been active recently. John Sykes and Sandra DeHart have an e-mail address shown in the “Surname” section of the Smith County webpage.

Rhody Sykes and Yeatman Sykes appear in the 1860 DeKalb County census in the home of Catherine and William Baker, Catherine’s husband. We believe that Rhody and Yeatman moved to Kentucky before the 1870 census was taken. The writer is not aware of anyone who is currently researching this part of the family. In some papers that were discovered after his father’s death, the writer learned that Rhoda (or Rhody) Sykes married a Belcher. One of their sons, Richard Calvin Belcher, had a daughter named Anzo Magdalen Belcher who married a Moore. They had a daughter named Elizabeth Ann Moore who married a Sullivan. This information was shown on an undated piece of paper and the information was provided to the writer’s father by Elizabeth Ann Moore Sullivan, named above, who signed the document as “your 6th cousin, Betty”.  All of the writer’s efforts to locate this individual have not been successful as of this writing. If the reader has any information on Betty (Elizabeth Ann Moore) Sullivan or any other information on this part of our family, please contact the writer. We have located a Richard F. Belcher and wife, Rhoda with four children, one of whom is named Richard C. Belcher, living in Londons, Butler, Kentucky in the 1880 census and a Yateman Sikes and wife, Nancy with five children living in Hadley, Warren, Kentucky in the 1880 census. These individuals were the right ages to be the Rhoda and Yateman Sykes who appear in the 1860 DeKalb County census.

 

The First Marriage of William Elias Sykes


WILLIAM ELIAS SYKES AND HULDAH D. BASINGER

FIRST GENERATION

James Hamiltonl Sykes

James Hamilton Sykes married Minerva Ellen Dowell (used the names Mary and Ella) in Smith County on January 20, 1881. Mary was born on September 7, 1859 in DeKalb County and died on September 20, 1920 in DeKalb County. Mary is buried in the Sykes Cemetery. Jim and Mary had five children.

1.     Carrie Elizabeth Sykes, who was born on November 14, 1881 and died on November 29, 1920;

2.     Minnie Mae Sykes, who was born on September 29, 1884 and died on October 13, 1884;

3.     William Arthur Sykes, who was born on January 7, 1886 and died on August 29, 1945;

4.     James Cleveland Sykes, who was born on August 16, 1889 and died on February 28, 1919; and

5.     Willis Hershel Sykes, who was born on April 25, 1895 and died on January 4, 1919.

SECOND GENERATION

Children of James Hamilton Sykes and Minerva Ellen Dowell

Carrie Elizabeth Sykes

Carrie Elizabeth Sykes married Corbin Comer Reynolds on December 23, 1900. Corbin (C.C.) was born on September 26, 1877 and is believed to have died on July 10, 1962. Carrie and C.C. had seven children. Although the names of their children are known from the 1920 DeKalb County census, very little information has been located on these children since their mother died in 1920. Their children were: Lora L. Reynolds, born in about 1903; James G. Reynolds, born in about 1904; Ella J. Reynolds, born in about 1906; Ruby Louise Reynolds, born in about 1909; Carrie Pauline Reynolds, born in about 1913; Cora G. Reynolds, born in about 1917; and Mary Venice Reynolds, born in about 1918. Mary is shown in the 1930 DeKalb County census living with her aunt Electa Rose and her husband Ira B. Rose. The writer believes that he has located Corbin C. Reynolds and James G. Reynolds living in separate boarding houses in the Detroit, Michigan area in 1930. There are many Reynolds families living in the DeKalb County area and some of these have been contacted in an effort to complete the genealogy of this family. If the reader has any additional information, please contact the writer.

Minnie May Sykes

Minnie May Sykes died young and is buried in the Sykes Cemetery.

William Arthur Sykes

William Arthur Sykes married Flossie Frazier on December 26, 1907 in DeKalb County. Flossie was born in DeKalb County on February 7, 1890 and died on June 15, 1945. Arthur and Flossie are buried in the Gordonsville Cemetery. Arthur and Flossie had two children.

1.   Dennis Ward Sykes who was born on December 20, 1910 and died on December 26, 1990 and is buried in the Gordonsville Cemetery; and

3.     Glyn Dowell Sykes, who was born on June 12, 1912 and died on June 12, 1950 and is buried in the Gordonsville Cemetery.

James Cleveland Sykes

James Cleveland Sykes never married and is buried in the Sykes Cemetery.

Willis Hershel Sykes

Willis Hershel Sykes married Beulah Mai Close on December 10, 1916. Beulah was born on March 5, 1895 and died on December 9, 1918 from complications during the birth of their son. Hershel and Buelah are buried with their unnamed infant son in the Temperance Hall Cemetery in DeKalb County.

THIRD GENERATION

Children of Carrie Elizabeth Sykes and Corbin Comer Reynolds

There is insufficient information currently available for the writer to provide any additional genealogy of the Carrie Elizabeth Sykes and Corbin Comer Reynolds Family. If anyone reading this has any information on this family, please contact the writer.

Children of William Arthur Sykes and Flossie Frazier

Dennis Ward Sykes

Dennis Ward Sykes first married Bonnie Nixon on September 3, 1932. Bonnie was born on April 10, 1911 and died on March 2, 1972 and is buried in the Gordonsville Cemetery. Dennis Ward second married Barbara (unknown). Dennis Ward did not have any children.

Glyn Dowell Sykes

Glyn Dowell Sykes married Ethel Love Harper who was born on July 2, 1914 in Smith County. As of August 2004, Ethel is residing in a nursing home. Glyn and Ethel had three children:

1.     Gerald Shannon Sykes, who was born on April 17, 1937.

2.     Larry Glenn Sykes, who was born on June 24, 1943, and

3.     Ronald Harper Sykes, who was born on June 22, 1947.

After Glyn Dowell died, Ethel married J. T. Hayes.

FOURTH GENERATION

Children of Glyn Dowell Sykes and Ethel Love Harper

Gerald Shannon Sykes

Gerald Shannon Sykes married Patricia Kay Ingleberger on November 24, 1962. Kay was born on December 6, 1940 in Franklin County, Tennessee. Shannon and Kay have three children:

1.     David Ward Sykes, who was born on May 16, 1963 in Nashville, Tennessee.

2.     Glen Shannon Sykes, who was born on November 27, 1967 in Nashville, and

3.     Douglas Paul Sykes, who was born on December 20, 1972 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Shannon and Kay currently live in Texas.

Larry Glenn Sykes

Larry Glenn Sykes first married Linda Sue Webster on March 10, 1967 in DeKalb County. Larry and Linda have two children:

1.     Glenda Michelle Sykes who was born on March 31, 1969, and

2.     Scott L. Sykes who was born on January 7, 1973.

Larry and Linda are divorced. Larry second married Theresa Darlene Taylor. Larry and Linda are now divorced and had no children. Larry currently lives in Temperance Hall.

Ronald Harper Sykes

Ronald Harper Sykes married Carol Sue Pirtle on September 29, 1967. Ronnie and Carol have two daughters:

1.     Rhonda Carol Sykes, and

2.     Melissa Ann Sykes.

Ronnie and Carol are divorced. Ronnie currently lives in Temperance Hall.

FIFTH GENERATION

Children of Gerald Shannon Sykes and Patricia Kay Ingleberger

David Ward Sykes

David Ward first married Leann Ingram in June, 1981. David and Leann divorced in 1984. They did not have any children. David second married Cynthia Hammond in June, 1991. David and Cynthia have twin daughters:

1.     Sara Sykes and

2.     Shana Sykes who were born on December 29, 1992 in Texas.

David and Cynthia were divorced in 2000. David third married Betty Gamel Rolen on May 23, 2003 in Texas. David and Betty do not have any children at this time.

Glenn Shannon Sykes

Glenn Shannon Sykes was not married as of the date of this presentation.

Douglas Paul Sykes

Douglas Paul Sykes married Kassey Holland and they currently have one daughter:

1.   Heather Nicole Sykes born on July 28, 1992.

Children of Larry Glenn Sykes and Linda Sue Webster

Glenda Michelle Sykes

Glenda Michelle Sykes married Stephen Wade Johnson. They currently have four children:

1.     Nioakah Nicloe Johnson who was born on August 26, 1992.

2.   Nicholas Wade Johnson who was born on July 20, 1995, and twins

3.     Nautica Michelle Johnson and

4.     Noah Ryan Johnson who were born on November 20, 2000.

Children of Ronald Harper Sykes and Carol Sue Pirtle

Rhonda Carol Sykes

Rhonda Carol Sykes is believed to be living in Atlanta and is believed to be single. There is insufficient information currently available to provide any additional genealogy on Rhonda Carol Sykes. If you have any additional information, please contact the writer.

Melissa Ann Sykes

Melissa Ann Sykes is believed to be living in Nashville and is believed to be married with two children. There is insufficient information currently available to provide any additional genealogy on Melissa Ann Sykes or her family. If you have any additional information, please contact the writer.

Comments About This Family

The writer is a descendant from the second marriage of William Elias Sykes to Amanda Virginia Turner and recognizes that the information about the marriage of William Elias Sykes to Huldah D. Basinger is very limited. The writer was not aware of this marriage until August 2003, and was not aware that their son Jim had a family until Jim’s family was located in the 1900 DeKalb County Census in September 2003 while the writer was searching for descendants of Buck’s second marriage. All information that is currently available to the writer on Buck’s first marriage is being provided here for the purpose of assisting others with their research on these families. The writer lives near Smith and DeKalb Counties and is willing to assist other any other researchers whenever possible.


William Elias Sykes in the Civil War

Buck’s Civil War records have been provided to the writer by Keith Sykes, a descendant.

During the Civil War, Buck fought with the Confederacy. While Buck was away during the war, Mandie lived with members of her family in Temperance Hall. Mandie’s father died in 1850 and her mother died in 1869. There were many Turner’s living in DeKalb County during that period. Buck’s son from his first marriage to Huldah was less than ten years old and Buck and Mandie had a daughter who was born in 1862 so this must have been a very difficult time for Mandie and the children.

Buck entered the Civil War in Captian B.A. James' Co_______, 55 (McKoin's) Tennessee Infantry. This Company was Consolidated in April 1862 with the 44th Tennessee Infantry and formed the 44th Consolidated Confederate Infantry.  His rank was Private. He enlisted on December 19th, 1861 at Camp Trousdale by a R. Farquliarson (?) for a period of 12 months. The 55th (McKoin's) regiment was organized in the early part of 1862. About April 18th 1862, it was consolidated into 5 companies and united with the 5 consolidated companies of the 44th Regiment Tennessee Infantry (this was after Shiloh). He also served under ??? William Terry, Levi ? Evans and Mose Preston Lieutenants. He fought at Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Knoxville, Beans' Station and Petersburg, Virginia. He was shot in the arm at Murfreesboro, in the hand at Beans Station and had a "spell of fever" in Mississippi.

An interesting story that he told to our Uncle Jess who told it to Uncle Al. He (Buck) and a buddy were sleeping under a pile of brush at Beans Station one night. They woke up and it had snowed several inches. They got up and headed across a field to meet up with all the others and the Yankees started shooting at them. They were running across that field when all of a sudden Buck dropped his gun. He went to pick it up and could not. It was then he noticed that he had been shot in the hand and could not pick up his gun with that hand. He was out of service about 50 days when shot in the arm and about 60 days when shot in the hand. Dr. Ben Davis and two or three others treated his wounds. He got out of the army by taking the oath of allegiance to the United States at Fort Delaware about May 10, 1865.

J.B. Reasonover and D. Gwaltney (other Smith County residents) served with Buck about 3 years and 4 months.


The Second Marriage of William Elias Sykes

WILLIAM ELIAS SYKES AND AMANDA VIRGINIA TURNER

FIRST GENERATION

(Second Generation of Joshua Sykes, Jr and Leodicia Mangum Gwaltney Sykes)

(Third Generation of Joshua Sykes, Sr and Anne Morris Sykes)

Children of William Elias Sykes and Amanda Virginia Turner Sykes

Sarah Minerva Sykes

Sarah Minerva Sykes married Josiah S. Prowell on September 26, 1880. Josiah was born on January 15, 1830 in Smith County and died on July 19, 1901. Sarah and Josiah Prowell had two children:

1.     Walter Joshua Prowell who was born March 5, 1887 and died on July 7, 1896, and

2.     Jesse Weaver Prowell who was born May 9, 1892 and died on September 8, 1900.

Sarah second married Pitts Hearn who was born in 1844 and died in 1928. Sarah and Pitts Hearn did not have any children. Sarah, Josiah, Walter Joshua and Jesse Weaver are buried in the Union Hill Cemetery.

Mary Etta Sykes

Mary Etta Sykes married John B. Hall on September 8, 1889.  John was born in October, 1866 and died on May 11, 1890. Mary and John did not have any children. Mary died on June 30, 1947 and is buried in the Sykes Cemetery.

Lucy Lee Sykes

Lucy Lee Sykes married William Riley Washer on November 19, 1891. William Riley was born on March 27, 1862 and died on July 13, 1912. Lucy and William Washer had six children:

1.     William Washer who was born on September 15, 1892 and died on July 13, 1912.

2.     Era Virginia Washer who was born on June 27, 1894 and died on March 14, 1970.

3.     Jennie Marcella Washer who was born on October 2, 1896 and died on November 4, 1899.

4.     Lillie Parlea Washer who was born on November 16, 1903 and died on December 5, 1985.

5.     Paul Washer who was born on August 23, 1905, and

6.     Melissa Washer who was born on May 10, 1908.

  Lucy died on August 16, 1955. William and Lucy are buried in the Sykes Cemetery.

Connie Frances Sykes

Connie Frances Sykes married Archibald D. Gwaltney on October 8, 1892. Archibald was born on December 20, 1871 and died on December 29, 1894. Connie and Archibald had one son:

1.     James Campbell Gwaltney who was born on August 4, 1893 and died on April 30, 1968.

Connie died on December 9, 1951. Archibald, Connie and James are buried in the Union Hill Cemetery.

William Joshua Sykes

William Joshua Sykes married Willie Taylor on December 24, 1902. Willie was born on April 9, 1883 and died on February 23, 1934. William and Willie had two children: (As indicated earlier, his middle name is listed as Joshua in William’s family Bible.)

1.     Gladys Dale Sykes who was born on July 25, 1907 and died on April 16, 1976 and

2.     Allie Jewel Sykes who was born on July 27, 1921 and died on June 14, 1949.

William died on August 26, 1951.

Thomas Wilson Sykes

Thomas Wilson Sykes first married Martha Frances Hall on July 29, 1897. Martha was born in 1877 and died in 1926. Thomas and Martha had five children:

1.     Louvie Dicey Sykes who was born on February 12, 1898.

2.     Jessie Milton Sykes, who was born on November 3, 1900.

3.     Charles Thomas Sykes, who was born on May 12, 1909.

4.     Hoyal Johnson Sykes, who was born on October 14, 1911, and

5.     Alton Bernice Sykes, who was born on September 9, 1914.

Thomas second married Mrs. Ella Chapman on March 18, 1928. Ella was born on February 9, 1893 and died on January 1, 1968. Ella is buried at New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery near Alexandria, Tennessee. Thomas and Ella did not have any children. Thomas died on December 16, 1946.

Robert Franklin Sykes

Robert Franklin Sykes married Lanna Thomas Wills on February 24, 1901. Lanna was born on June 18, 1882 and died on July 7, 1964. Robert and Lanna had four children:

1.     Clara Mae Sykes, who was born on June 23, 1903 and died on September 10, 1987.

2.     Claude Albert Sykes, who was born on July 31, 1905 and died on January 11, 1962.

3.     Walter Elias Sykes, who was born on August 14, 1909 and died on September 17, 2001; and

4.     Grace Virginia Sykes, who was born on September 20, 1913 and died on April 8, 2001.

Robert died on February 11, 1965. Bob and Lanna are buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Nashville, Tennessee.

Jesse Edward Sykes

Jesse Edward Sykes was born on July 25, 1879 and died on August 23, 1897 from injuries he received from being thrown from a horse. Jesse never married and is buried in the Sykes Cemetery.


SECOND GENERATION

WILLIAM ELIAS SYKES AND AMANDA VIRGINIA TURNER SYKES

(Third Generation of Joshua Sykes, Jr and Leodicia Mangum Gwaltney Sykes)

(Fourth Generation of Joshua Sykes, Sr and Anne Morris Sykes)

Grand Children of William and Amanda Sykes

Children of Lucy Lee Sykes and William Riley Washer

William Washer

William Washer was born on September 15, 1892. William married Clara Reese who was born on November 15, 1893. William and Clara did not have any biological children but they adopted one son. William died on June 25, 1966.

Era Virginia Washer

Era Virginia Washer married Sam Raymond Murphy. Sam was born on April 24, 1899 and died on March 10, 1972. Era and Sam had three children:

1.     William Hoyal Murphy who was born on January 23, 1919.

2.     Grady Fred Murphy who was born on October 30, 1921, and

3.     Vergilee Gadell Murphy who was born on November 26, 1923.

Era Virginia died on March 14, 1970.

Jennie Marcella Washer

Jennie Marcella Washer died at the age of three.

Lillie Parlea Washer

Lillie Parlea Washer married Elmer Thomas Wills. Elmer was born on April 29, 1902 and died on September 8, 1980. Lillie and Elmer had three children:

1.     Willene Estelle Wills who was born on May 9, 1925.

2.     Virginia Jean Wills who was born on November 19, 1926, and

3.     Thomas Douglas Wills who was born on November 11, 1934.

Lillie died on December 5, 1985. Lillie and Elmer are buried in the Union Hill Cemetery.

Paul Washer

Paul Washer married Nonnie Warrell. Nonnie was born on July 20, 1910. Paul and Nonnie did not have any children.

Melissa Jane Washer

Melissa Jane Washer married Garland Blake Nipp. Garland Blake was born on September 6, 1908. Melissa and Garland had two children:

1.     Joyce Jeanette Nipp who was born on July 26, 1930, and

2.     Nonnie Sue Nipp who was born on February 25, 1933 and died on August 5, 1933.

Children of Connie Frances Sykes and Archibald D. Gwaltney

James Campbell Gwaltney

James Campbell Gwaltney married Wavey Elizabeth Reasonover on July 6, 1913. Wavey Elizabeth was born on November 27, 1897 and died on August 9, 1969. James and Elizabeth had seven children:

1.     Johnnie Archibald Gwaltney, who was born on November 14, 1893 and died on August 11, 1917.

2.     Frances Aloda Gwaltney, who was born on March 14, 1919.

3.     George Glydale Gwaltney, who was born in 1922.

4.     Mary Oleda Gwaltney who was born on December 1, 1926.

5.     William Edward Gwaltney, who was born on December 29, 1933 and died on March 13, 1934, and

6.     Rebecca Jean Gwaltney, who was born on March 6, 1935.

James died on April 30, 1968. James and Elizabeth are buried in the Union Hill Cemetery.

Children of William Joshua Sykes and Willie Taylor Sykes

Gladys Sykes

Gladys Sykes was born on July 25, 1907. On December 2, 1926 Gladys married Joe J. Vaughn who was born on March 25, 1901. Gladys and Joe had two daughters:

1.   Jolene Jewel Vaughn, who was born on May 29, 1929, and

2.   Joyce Vaughn who was born on October 13. 1932.

Gladys died April 16, 1976.

Allie Jewell Sykes

Allie Jewell Sykes was born on July 27 1921. He first married Helen Marie Hawks. Allie and Helen had one child.

1.   Sandra Fay Sykes who was born on November 11, 1942.

Allie second married Mary Helen Horton. Allie and Mary had two children.

1.   Anthony (Tony) Wayne Sykes who was born on October 23, 1945, and

2.   Barry Joseph Sykes who was born on July 18, 1949.

Children of Thomas Wilson Sykes and Martha Frances Hall Sykes

Louvie Dicey Sykes

Louvie Dicey Sykes was born on February 12, 1898. She maried William Dewitt Hall who was born on June 30, 1896. They had two children:

1.   Howard Edward Hall who was born on November 30, 1918, and

2.   Dorothy Dean Hall who was born on October 8, 1920 and died on June 16, 1963.

William died on November 4, 1957.

Jessie Milton Sykes

Jessie Milton Sykes was born on November 3, 1900. On September 15, 1931 he married Frankie Lawrence Granstaff who was born on December 10, 1910. Jessie and Frankie had four children:

1.   Billy Milton Sykes who was born on January 10, 1933.

2.   Bernice Wilson Sykes who was born on July 15, 1934.

3.   Fantley Gene Sykes who was born on January 2, 1937, and

4.   Shelley Faye Sykes who was born on May 25, 1940.

Frankie died on December 4, 1967.

Charles Thomas Sykes

Charles Thomas Sykes was born on May 12, 1909. Charles first married Zelma Forkum who was born on March 20, 1910. They had two children. Zelma died on October 11, 1961.

1.   Charles Ronald Sykes who was born on May 11, 1939, and

2.   Jerald Thomas Sykes who was born on September 2, 1941.

On March 14, 1964 Charles second married Helen Bernice Ezzell. Charles and Helen had one son:

1.   James Keith Sykes who was born on June 18, 1966.

Charles died in Nashville, Tennessee.

Hoyal Johnson Sykes

Hoyal Johnson Sykes was born on October 14, 1911. On December 22, 1935 he married Alene Hall who was born on October 6, 1915. Hoyal and Alene had two children:

1.   David Johnson Sykes who was born on December 4, 1937, and

2.   Jerry Arbury Sykes who was born on July 17, 1943.

Alton Bernice Sykes

Alton Bernice Sykes was born on September 9, 1914. On November 16, 1940 he married Clara Carson who was born on March 12, 1911. Alton and Clara did not have any children.

Children of Robert Franklin Sykes and Lanna Thomas Wills Sykes

Clara Mae Sykes

Clara Mae Sykes was born on June 23, 1903. She married David Christopher Curtis who was born on February 24, 1903. Clara and David had three children.

1.   Dorothy Mae Curtis who was born on June 13, 1926 in Nashville, Tennessee (twin).

2.   Doris Marie Curtis who was born on June 13, 1926 in Nashville, Tennessee (twin).

3.   David Christopher Curtis, Jr. who was born on October 12, 1931 in Nashville, Tennessee

Clara died on September 10, 1987 and is buried in Temple, Texas. Dave died on March 21, 1957 and is buried in Temple, Texas.

Claude Albert Sykes

Claude Albert Sykes was born on July 31, 1905. He married Murril Dale. Claude and Murril divorced and did not have any children. Claude died on January 11, 1962 and is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Nashville, Tennessee.

Walter Elias Sykes

Walter Elias Sykes was born on August 14, 1909. He married Sadie Emma Edens who was born on August 28, 1910. Walter and Sadie had three children:

1.   Robert Harvey Sykes who was born on February 5, 1929 in Nashville, Tennesseee and died on January 22, 2001 in Franklin, Tennessee.

2.   James Murray Sykes who was born on October 30, 1934 in Nashville, Tennessee.

3.   Nancy Carolyn Sykes who was born on June 5, 1938 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Walter died on September 17, 2001 and is entombed at Woodlawn Coloseum, Nashville, Tennessee. Sadie died on September 17, 1992 and is entombed at Woodlawn Coloseum, Nashville, Tennessee.

Grace Virginia Sykes

Grace Virginia Sykes was born on September 20, 1913. She married Glenn Murray Mitchell who was born on April 11, 1910. Grace and Glenn had three children:

1.   Janice Elaine Mitchell who was born on March 4, 1945 in Nashville, Tennessee.

2.   Rebecca Jane Mitchell who was born on July 27, 1948 in Nashville, Tennessee.

3.   Thomas Murray Mitchell who was born on September 4, 1950 in Nashville, Tennessee

Grace died on April 10, 2001 and is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Nashville, Tennessee. Glenn died on March 28, 1998 and is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery.

At this time, information on other descendants remains private but any member of the family may obtain additional information by contacting the writer.

 

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