Property Records

Property Records

Norfolk County, Virginia

The known property records in Norfolk County, Virginia related to the Smith County, Tennessee Sykes families have been extensively reviewed by Otis Sikes of Texas. The writer believes the following to be correct but has not personally examined the original records.

The following is a verbatim copy of part of an e-mail the writer received from Otis Sikes.

"I realized that I do have a summary of the tax info for Norfolk, VA and Halifax, NC on my computer and thought I'd pass along some of the data I have that might pertain to Joshua.

I first find him in the 1765 titheables (basically a "head tax") list of Norfolk, listed as Joel Sikes and son Joshua. Since males became titheable when they turned 16 it was quite common for the father and son to appear in the rolls together, especially until the sons struck out on their own. Also, this data would indicate that Joshua turned 16 sometime around 1762 - 1765 (the 1761 taxes were recorded, with only Joel, but the 1762, 1763, and 1764 taxes aren't available), so he probably was born sometime around 1746 - 1749.

Other tax info is (not all years are available in the records):
1767 - Joel & Joshua listed individually
1768 - Joel & son Joshua
1771 - Joel & sons Joshua & William
1772, 1773 & 1774 - Joel & sons Joshua & William
1775 & 1776 - records not available.

Joel's family doesn't appear in the 1777 or after tax records.

Tax info from Halifax, NC (there are other Sikes in other Halifax tax districts):
1782, District 13 Joel Sikes (with taxable property)
Joshua Sikes 1HM (horse and Mule), 15 pounds
Sarah Sikes (with taxable property)
1783, District 13 Joel, Joel Jr, Nathan, and Sarah are listed, but not Joshua
1784, District 5 Joel, James, and Joshua (names only, no property valuations)
1785, District 13 Joel, Joshua, James, Jacob, Nathan, and Joab
Joshua has 100 acres on Stafford's Line
1786, District 13 Joel, James, Joshua, Lemuel, Joab and Jacob
Joshua has 100 acres
1787, District 13 Joshua, Jacob, Jacob, James and William
Joshua has 100 acres
1788, District 13 only Joshua (100 acres) listed, others in other districts
1790, District 13 Joel and Joshua (100 acres on Persimmon Creek or Branch)
1800, District 13 Joshua - 100 acres
1802, District 12 Joel and Joshua (no land listed)

It might be interesting to see where the tax districts were located in Halifax, as they seem to stay the same throughout the years (except for 1784). The two William Sikes (of which I think one was "my" William) were usually in Districts 15 and 16, and there were other Sikes in other districts, from a high of 12 Sikes in 1785 & 1786, to only 5 in 1800 and 1802 (looks like they kicked out all Sikes whose names didn't begin with a "J", as the ones left were James, Joel, Joshua, Joab and Jacob).

I'm guessing that the Joel Sikes in 1802 may be Joel, Jr, as I found a deed dated 1794 in which Joel, Sr appears to be giving some of his property (including stocks of bees) to one of his sons, (James, I think). One interpretation of this is that there was a will, in which James was not included, so Joel is conveying property to James in lieu of a will, and that Joel was probably reaching the end his life span. From the Norfolk taxes, Joel was born at least before 1734, as he is listed in the 1750 taxes (the taxes of 1737 - 1749 are not available), so he would have been at least 60 in 1794. I must have found another indication of age in other documents, as I show that Joel Sr's birth year was about 1729.

I haven't found a recording of the will, if there was one, but I have found books listing unrecorded wills in other counties and other times. So, if you have a chance at a library, you might see if there's any indication of that being the case here. (Writer's Note: No Will for Joel Sikes, Sr. was located in the NC Archives or in Halifax County.)

Otis"

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Halifax County, North Carolina

The known real property records in Halifax County, North Carolina related to the Smith County, Tennessee Sykes families are listed below. The writer has examined all of the microfilmed records of the documents listed and has a copy of each. Although some are very difficult to read, we will do our best to explain what each record indicates. Unless noted otherwise, you can view a digital image of each deed on this web site.

Deed Book 15, Page 216, dated August 9, 1784. Giles Hedgepath to Joshua Sikes.

Joshua Sikes purchased 100 acres from Giles Hedgepath for the sum of 45 pounds, including all orchards, houses, gardens, fences, woods, woodlands, pastures, swamps, meadows, water and water courses. This land bordered on the lands of George Morris and it is believed that Joshua and Ann were already married or were preparing to marry when this land was purchased.

Witnesses: Wm Morris, George Morris, John Stafford.

Deed Book 21, Page 135, dated August 29, 1807. Joshua Sykes to James Walston.

Joshua Sikes sold 125 acres for the sum of 120 pounds Virginia currency, including all improvements.

Witnesses: Richard Jones and John Justice.

Deed Book 23, Page 127, dated April 20, 1814. Division of George Morris Estate.

All of the heirs of George Morris filed this deed showing their agreement to divide the real property of George Morris, deceased, consisting of 1126 acres. Ann Morris Sikes received 100 acres as her share of her father's property.

Deed Book 24, Page 560, dated February 10, 1818. Ann Sikes Heirs to Jesse N. Fanleon. This deed was signed and recorded in Smyth County, Tennessee and Terrell Sykes presented and proved it in open Court in Halifax County, North Carolina. This deed transferred the property received by Ann Morris Sikes from the estate of her father, George Morris, to Jesse N. Fanleon.

Deed Book 17, Page 698, dated July 15, 1794. Joel Sikes, Sr. to James Sikes.

This deed transferred numerous farm animals and other personal property and this description is included here to indicate that the writer also believes that James Sikes was one of the sons of Joel Sikes, Sr. and a brother of Joshua Sikes, Sr. We believe that this deed transferred the property described therein to this son near the date of Joel Sikes, Sr’s death. This belief is based on the examination of the personal and real property records in Norfolk County, Virginia by Otis Sikes and the writer’s examination of records of Halifax County, North Carolina that were reviewed at the North Carolina Library Archives. We also observed that the property and census records that we examined indicate that these individuals lived near each other when the early tax records and the 1790 and 1800 Halifax County census records were recorded. A copy of the this deed may be obtained by contacting the writer. No images available on this web site.

Smith County, Tennessee

Some of the known real property records in Smith County, Tennessee related to the Smith County, Tennessee Sykes families are listed below. The writer has examined all of the records listed and has a copy of each, unless otherwise indicated. Some of these deeds are difficult to read but we will do our best to summarize what each record indicates. You can view a digital image of each deed on this web site, unless noted otherwise. Later deeds are related only to the descendants of William and Amanda Sykes and are not included here.

Deed Book F, Page 33, dated March 3, 1817. Richard Lancaster to Terrell Sikes. Lot #6, Town of Lancaster, Tennessee. No image available on this web site.

Deed Book N, Page 476, dated June 17, 1837. Samuel P. Howard to Major L. Sykes. 100 acres. No image available on this web site.

Deed Book P, Page 250, dated February 4, 1840. William W. Jones to Joshua Sykes, Items of household furniture and other personal property, in Trust, to secure loan to William W. Jones by third party. No image available on this web site.

Deed Book P, Page 525, dated March 6, 1841. William W. Jones to Joshua Sykes, Items of household furniture and other personal property, in Trust, to secure a loan made to William W. Jones by a third party. No image available on this web site.

Deed Book Q, Page 458, dated December 23, 1842. Joshua Sykes to Fielding Gray, A bay mare, in Trust, to secure a loan made to Joshua Sykes by a third party.

No image available on this web site.

Deed Book Q, Page 520, dated October 26, 1840. Some of Elias Gwaltney children to William W. Jones, their interest in fee simple title of property of Leodicia Sykes, formerly Leodicia Gwaltney. No image available on this web site.

Deed Book Q, Page 584, dated August 14, 1843. Major L. Sykes to John McGee, tobacco crop of 4500# for delivery to Richardsonville landing at harvest. No image available on this web site.

Deed Book R, Page 407, dated March 28, 1845. Some of Elias Gwaltney's children to Paul L. H. Walker, their interest in fee simple title of property of Leodicia Sykes, formerly Leodicia Gwaltney. No image available on this web site.

Deed Book T, Page 30, dated January 29, 1848. Some of Elias Gwaltney's children to Paul L. H. Walker, their interest in fee simple title of property of Leodicia Sykes, formerly Leodicia Gwaltney. No image available on this web site.

Deed Book 1, Page 747, dated January 6, 1872. William B. Askew to W. E. Sykes, 6 acres. An image is available on this web site of this and all following deeds.

Deed Book 2, Page 130, dated September 3, 1872. Harriet Terry to W. E. Sykes, her undivided interest in the Wilson Turner property.

Deed Book 3, Page 321, dated August 10, 1877. W. E. Sykes to W. E. Jones, interest in Wilson Turner property.

Deed Book 3, Page 377, dated August 25, 1877. J. F. Turner and W. C. Jones to W. E. Sykes, 25 acres for $617.00.

Deed Book 4, Page 580, dated February 4, 1881. W. E. Sykes to S. F. Patterson, 30 acres for $980.00. Three-quarters of an acre were reserved where the school house is located for so long as it continues to be used as a school or the building is relocated.

Deed Book 5, Page 215, dated February 4, 1882. W. C. Jones to W. E. Sykes, 14 acres for $630.00.

Deed Book 7, Page 258, dated April 27, 1887. W. E. Sykes and A. V. Sykes an easement to Nashville & Knoxville Railroad Company for $1.00.

Deed Book 7, Page 450, dated November 12, 1888. W. C. Jones to W. E. Sykes, 58 acres for $630.00.

Deed Book 8, Page 555, dated March 28, 1893. Elizabeth E. Jones to W. E. Sykes, 7 1/2 acres for $250.00.

Deed Book 11, Page 98, dated April 1, 1893. Helmontaller Heirs to W. E. Sykes, 5 acres for $100.00.

Deed Book 11, Page 99, dated March 19, 1893. J. H. Sykes to W. E. Sykes, 12 acres for $650.00.

Deed Book 18, Page 183, dated August 27, 1906. W. D. Sykes and Lula W. Sykes to J. W. Morris, 133 acres for $2,000.00, being the same property inherited by Lula W. Sykes from her mother Elizabeth R. Ward.

Deed Book 18, Page 414, dated December 29, 1902. W. E. Sykes to R. L. Allen, 1 1/3 acres for $25.00.

Deed Book 18, Page 422, dated August 11, 1905. A. B. Hall to his children, one of whom is Mattie Hall Sykes who married Wilson Sykes.

Deed Book 18, Page 568, dated April 1, 1904. W. E. Sykes to R. F. Sykes, 35 acres for $600.00.

Deed Book 19, Page 223, dated October 30, 1907. W. E. Sykes to J. W. Hall, 1/2 acre for $25.00.

Unless otherwise indicated, a digital image of the above deeds can be viewed elsewhere on this web site. Anyone who would like to have a copy of any of the above deeds may obtain same by contacting Jim Sykes. Some of the early deeds relating to personal property and/or deeds of trust were not copied but we will be happy to make a copy on our next trip to Carthage and send it to you. We also have a copy of some of the deeds from DeKalb County.

Questions or Comments: Jim Sykes.

Last Updated May 2008