Ancestors of William Elias Sykes
of  Smith County, Tennessee

William Elias Sykes is the first known resident of Smith County, Tennessee with the surname of Sykes who lived his entire life as a resident of Smith County. He was born in Smith County on December 16, 1831 and died in Smith County on January 12, 1908. He was the son of Joshua Sykes, Jr. and Leodicia Mangum. Joshua Sykes, Jr. was born in Halifax County, North Carolina in about 1785 and it is believed that he died in Smith County in the 1850’s since the 1850 Smith County census is the last time that he appeared in any known census. Leodicia Mangum was born in Isle of Wight County, Virginia in about 1783 and died in Smith County, Tennessee in about 1848. She was previously married to Elias Gwaltney who died on July 31, 1827 in Smith County.

Joshua Sykes, Jr. was the son of Joshua Sikes, Sr. and Ann Morris. Joshua Sikes, Sr. was born in Norfolk County, Virginia in about 1749 and died in Smith County, Tennessee on February 10, 1823. Ann Morris was born in Halifax County, North Carolina in about 1760 and died in Smith County, Tennessee in about 1818.

Joshua Sikes, Sr. is believed to have been the first resident of Smith County, Tennessee with the surname of Sikes (Sykes). He was the son of Joel Sikes and Unknown mother. Joel Sikes was born in Norfolk County, Virginia in about 1729. His date and place of death have not been verified but he is believed to have died in Halifax County, North Carolina in about 1794. The name, date and place of birth and date and place of death of Joshua Sikes, Sr’s mother have not been located.

 NOTE: The ancestry that follows is based on the research of Otis Sikes of Texas and Dennis Maguire of California of the Virginia and North Carolina records and the results of their research is available on this web site and can be accessed from our Home page or by clicking on the following link. Our Virginia Roots

Joel Sikes was the son of William Sikes and Dorothy Unknown. William Sikes was born about 1690 in Norfolk County, Virginia and died on March 8, 1771 in Norfolk County, Virginia. The maiden name, date and place of birth and date and place of death of Joel Sikes’ mother have not been located.

 William Sikes was the son of Walter Sikes, Sr. and Jeane/Jane Biggs.  Walter Sikes, Sr. was born about 1645 in Norfolk County, Virginia and died on May 15, 1710 in Norfolk County, Virginia. Jeane/Jane Biggs was born about 1659 in Norfolk County, Virginia and died after December 15, 1721 in Norfolk County, Virginia.

Walter Sikes, Sr. is believed to have been the son of John Sikes and Unknown mother. John Sikes is believed to have been born in England in about 1615 and is believed to have immigrated to America in about 1637. His date and place of death have not been located. The name, date and place of birth and date and place of death of Walter Sikes, Sr’s mother have not been located.

 John Sikes was the son of unknown parents but it is believed that his parents were born in England in the 1590’s and died there. It is believed that this John Sikes (Sykes) is the one listed as having immigrated to America in 1637. No documented information on the parents of John Sikes has been located. Additional information on some of the other children of the above individuals can be found on the Sikes/Sykes Association Web site.


Questions or Comments: Jim Sykes

Last Updated May 2008