SYKES John, Sr.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Military: Private, 7th Virginia Regiment, Continental Army
• Reference Number: 439
• Land: 1797, Russell County. VA
• Census: 1820, Lebanon, Russell, Virginia, USA
• Pension: 4 Sep 1832, Russell County. VA
• Census: 1850, Russell County. VA
• Will: 1851, Russell County. VA; Will

Notes:

John sykes came to visit Robert and Beverly and returned to the clinch river in the western waters in 1804 (from Robert Booth Bible). Hi cousin! I am Paul Sykes, s/o Gerald, s/o Herman, s/o John Ross, s/o Newbern, s/o Levi, s/o James, s/o John Sykes, Sr. and Lucy Booth, the sister of Beverly Booth. John was born Feb 15, 1749 / 50 in Prince George Co., Virginia, probably descending from Bernard Sykes I and Elizabeth Rawlett, who were imported by Arthur Allen (owner of Bacon's Castle a.k.a. Allen's Brick House of Surry Co.) in the 1660's to 1670's. At some point, Beverly Booth became John's guardian. John married Lucy Booth and they had 4 sons we know of: Robert, who was born a few weeks prior to the death of Lucy and Beverly's father Robert; James; John Jr.; and Alexander. John and Lucy sold their land in Southampton Co., VA in 1784 and turn up on the Russell Co., VA tax list in 1797. They settled on the Clinch River and much of the Sykes clan branched out from there. My father was born in Artrip, VA just a short distance from where John settled. John was in the militia in the Revolutionary War and fought at the Battle of Gwynn's Island and was in the rear guard at the surrender of Cornwallis. His pension application can be found at:
I will send an email invitation to you to come to our Sykes Family Website on MyFamily.com so you can review the NEWS and PHOTO section of your Sykes cousins. Much of the John Sykes historical information pre-Russell County are found under my postings. I have been unable to ascertain John's parentage, and I am digging in Southampton and Sussex records for these. I am planning another trip to the Library of Virginia in April, but as you know, it will take years to sift through the reels of microfilm. Anyway, I'm pleased to have found your website, and encourage you to keep up the good work! Sincerely, Cousin Paul Sykes 1184 Downing Court Lincolnton, NC 28092

Virginia Census, 1607-1890
about John Sykes
Name: John Sykes          
State: VA          
County: Russell County          
Township: Age 83 No Township Listed          
Year: 1840          
Page: 136          
Database: VA 1840 Pensioners List          

Land:
John and Lucy sold their land in Southampton Co., VA in 1784 and turn up on the Russell Co., VA tax list in 1797. They settled on the Clinch River and much of the Sykes clan branched out from there... Paul Sykes (Sykes Family Website)

Census:
1820 United States Federal Census
about John Sykes
Name:John Sykes          
Home in 1820 (City, County, State):Lebanon, Russell, Virginia          
Enumeration Date:August 7, 1820          
Free White Persons - Males - Under 10:2          
Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44:1          
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10:1          
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25:1          
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture:1          
Free White Persons - Under 16:3          
Free White Persons - Over 25:1          
Total Free White Persons:5          
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other:5          

Pension:
John Sykes Pension Application, Revolutionary War
Law Order Book 6, Page 45
June 2, 1818
The following persons who reside in the county of Russell wishing to become pensioners under the act of Congress of the 18th of March last, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval services of the United States", declared on oath as follows:
John Sykes declared that he enlisted as a private soldier with Capt. William Avery in the United States' service in the 7th Regiment of the Virginia Line, commanded by Colo. Matthews, whose christian name he did not recollect; that he was at the battle of the Cross roads, and also at Guins Island and assisted in storming a piquet at Elizabeth River. He was at the siege of York at the taking of Cornwallis; that he was discharged at Williamsburg by Capt. Avery under the direction of Colo. Matthews having served 14 months. He also declared that he is now sixty eight years old and in indigent circumstances.
It also appears to the satisfaction of the court that the afforesaid applicants are persons of good credit as witnesses, and that they served in the Revolutionary War against the common enemy; and it was also satisfactorily proven to the court that the said John Ferral, Leonard Pigman, Carlton Keeling, John Sykes, Abraham Childers, James Berry, Charles Sexton and Jacob Hess according to the report of their neighbors previous to the passage of the said Act of Congress had served as soldiers in the Revolutionary War; All which is ordered to be certified to the Secretary of the Department of War.
Law Order Book 9, Page 392
September 4, 1832
On this the 4th day of September, 1832, personally appeared before the County Court of Russell County, JOHN SYKES, a resident of the County of Russell in the state of Virginia, aged eighty two years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States about four or five years before the taking of Lord Cornwallis at Little Rock in Virginia under the following named officers, Captain Hartwell Raines, Lieutenant John Allen, the name of the Ensign not recollected and was placed under the command of Col. Benjamin Ruffin at a place called Brandon upon James River in Surry County, Virginia, after being marched from Prince George County where he enlisted as aforesaid. That the term of service for which he first enlisted was two years, but was discharged at Brandon having served about 18 months, and that during that time he was attached to, and belonged as he now recollects to the Virginia State Line. After he was discharged, as aforesaid, he returned to the County of Prince George, where he remained about three or four months, and then entered the regular service of the United States, under Captain William H. Avery and as he now thinks Lieutenant Eppes, the name of the Ensign not recollected, and was marched to a place then called the Groves, near Williamsburg in Virginia where he was commanded by Col. Matthews, where they remained some time, and marched from thence to old James Town in Virginia, and after remaining there a while marched back through Williamsburg in Virginia to an old field called Springfield Camps in Charles City County where they remained some time and then marched back through Williamsburg, crossed James River at James Town to Prince George County upon a scouting expedition, and to watch the movements of the British fleet which then ascended the said James River up as high as about Westover, and continued their march up the river within sight of the British fleet. The fleet then sailed down the river and the forces under the command of Col. Matthews commenced a return march down the said river and reached a cross roads about three quarters of a mile from Peters' Wharf about which place a part of the fleet landed and a battle was fought in the night between the Brittish and the forces under the command of Col. Matthews in which the said John Sykes took part, from whence Col. Matthews retreated and marched down the South side of James River to Smithfield in Virginia, from thence to a place called Pinners old fields, from thence to a place called Hobbs' Hole lying between Smithfield and Portsmouth in Virginia, from thence returned by the same points to what was called the Burnt Mills, from thence crossing James River at Hog Island marched down to Gwinns Island, from thence back to an old field near Williamsburg, from thence crossing James River marched into Surry County not far from Swann's Point, and after remaining there a short time his term of service of two years expired he was regularly discharged, which discharge in writing has since been lost or mislaid so that he can not now produce it. From that place he returned to his family in Prince George County and removed to Southampton County, and during that year in the County of Southampton he entered the service in the State line again for a tour of three months, under Captain John Mitchell, Lieutenant George Summain the name of the Ensign he did not recollect, and marched first through Williamsburg to Springfield Camps lying between the former place and Little York, where they were placed under the command of Col. Reddick and marched from thence down upon the lines of Portsmouth, thence marched back to said Burnt Mills, thence up to Smithfield, thence to Swanns Point aforesaid, when the three months' tour expired. That he returned home to Southampton County in Virginia where he remained a short time and entered the service again under Captain Samuel Kellso, the name of the Lieutenant and Ensign not recollected, and marched to Springfield Camp, where they were again placed under the command of Col. Reddick, from thence down upon the lines of Little York where the joined the main army of General Washington, about which time the second three months' tour expired, and the said John Sykes then substituted for on Brittain Traverse for another tour of three months under Captain William Baykin belonging to the main Army at Little York and remained with the Army of General Washington until the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, thence marched in the rear guard with the Brittish forces to Williamsburg where he was discharged after having served his country in the whole about four years and eight months. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
John Sykes

Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900
about John Sykes
Name:John Sykes          
Pension Year:1833          
Application State:Virginia          
Applicant Designation:Survivor's Pension Application File          
Archive Publication Number:M804          
Archive Roll Number:2334          
Total Pages in Packet:20          

Census:
1850 United States Federal Census
about John Sykes
Name:John Sykes          
Age:100          
Birth Year:abt 1750          
Birthplace:Virginia          
Home in 1850:District 54, Russell, Virginia          
Gender:Male          
Family Number:202          
Household Members:NameAge               
James Sykes 68               
Nancy Sykes 64               
Polly Sykes 38               
Eliza Sykes 22               
John Sykes 100               

Buried:
Revolutionary War soldier, our ancestor, John Sykes. The stone has been placed in Russell Co., on some land once owned by his sons. No one knows the exact location of his burial, but it was believed to be somewhere in Russell Co., near where he lived.

U.S. Veterans Gravesites, ca.1775-2006
about John Sykes
Name:John Sykes          
Service Info.:PVT US ARMY REVOLUTIONARY WAR          
Birth Date:15 May 1750          
Death Date:27 Mar 1851          
Cemetery:Sykes #2 Cemetery          
Cemetery Address:Route 1 Lebanon, VA 24266          

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 1237

Notes:

Sykes, Jones, Booth Posted by Paul Sykes on 12/13/2001, 11:47 pm 63.16.87.3

Researching John Sykes, Sr., born Feb. 15, 1749/50 Prince George Co., VA who was referenced in Sussex Co. Deed Book "E" - p. 307, 20 Sep 1774... William Sykes, the Elder, to William Rieves, Jr. for 5 shillings (William Rieves was Security on a bond to John Sykes by Beverley Boothe his guardian for 100 pounds).... land is the College Tenement whereon William Sykes now lives. William Sykes bought the land from Thomas Whitfield. Wit: John Baird, Jr., Frederick (X) Young, John (X) Jean and William (X) Sykes, Jr. Rec: 16 Feb 1775 and 20 Apr 1775. John Sykes' guardian was Beverley Boothe. Beverley Boothe was son of Robert Booth(e) IV of Southampton Co. Beverley's sister Lucy Booth married John Sykes. John and Lucy sold land in Southampton Co. in 1784. John and Lucy's son James married Nancy Jones of Sussex Co. in 1805.

Nancy Jones was the daughter of Howell Jones and Elizabeth Booth (sister to Beverley Booth and Lucy Booth Sykes). Howell Jones died in 1799 / 1800. He was the son of Nathaniel Jones who was the son of Nicholas Jones.

Now -- I am trying to find John Sykes, Sr.'s parents. John was born in Prince George Co. I feel he descended from the Bernard Sykes I line through one of the children of Bernard Sykes II who died in Martins Brandon Parish in 1718. Bernard Sykes II had three sons -- John, who married Frances Wyatt, and died in the 1730's, leaving orphans (names unknown); Richard, who bought land on Jones Hole Swamp in 1730 per Cavaliers and Pioneers; and Bernard III. There also was a Thomas Sykes (father unknown) during the mid 1700s in Prince George Co., Martins Brandon Parish. I feel John Sykes, Sr. possibly descended from the John Sykes and France Wyatt line, if naming patterns from that era hold true. Making the link however has proven difficult. I would appreciate any help and supportive information. Thank you.

John married HARGIS Lydia JaneRussell County. VA. Lydia was born about 1796; died on 20 Jan 1845 in Russell County. VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 1238

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 1001

Notes:

Born a few weeks prior to the death of Lucy's father Robert.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Submitter: MEDIUM
• Descendant Interest: MEDIUM
• Reference Number: 1002
• Alt. Birth: 3 Feb 1782
• Census: 1850, Russell County. VA

Notes:

Sykes, Jones, Booth Posted by Paul Sykes on 12/13/2001, 11:47 pm 63.16.87.3

Researching John Sykes, Sr., born Feb. 15, 1749/50 Prince George Co., VA who was referenced in Sussex Co. Deed Book "E" - p. 307, 20 Sep 1774... William Sykes, the Elder, to William Rieves, Jr. for 5 shillings (William Rieves was Security on a bond to John Sykes by Beverley Boothe his guardian for 100 pounds).... land is the College Tenement whereon William Sykes now lives. William Sykes bought the land from Thomas Whitfield. Wit: John Baird, Jr., Frederick (X) Young, John (X) Jean and William (X) Sykes, Jr. Rec: 16 Feb 1775 and 20 Apr 1775. John Sykes' guardian was Beverley Boothe. Beverley Boothe was son of Robert Booth(e) IV of Southampton Co. Beverley's sister Lucy Booth married John Sykes. John and Lucy sold land in Southampton Co. in 1784. John and Lucy's son James married Nancy Jones of Sussex Co. in 1805.

Nancy Jones was the daughter of Howell Jones and Elizabeth Booth (sister to Beverley Booth and Lucy Booth Sykes). Howell Jones died in 1799 / 1800. He was the son of Nathaniel Jones who was the son of Nicholas Jones.

Now -- I am trying to find John Sykes, Sr.'s parents. John was born in Prince George Co. I feel he descended from the Bernard Sykes I line through one of the children of Bernard Sykes II who died in Martins Brandon Parish in 1718. Bernard Sykes II had three sons -- John, who married Frances Wyatt, and died in the 1730's, leaving orphans (names unknown); Richard, who bought land on Jones Hole Swamp in 1730 per Cavaliers and Pioneers; and Bernard III. There also was a Thomas Sykes (father unknown) during the mid 1700s in Prince George Co., Martins Brandon Parish. I feel John Sykes, Sr. possibly descended from the John Sykes and France Wyatt line, if naming patterns from that era hold true. Making the link however has proven difficult. I would appreciate any help and supportive information. Thank you.

Census:
1850 United States Federal Census
about John Sykes
Name:John Sykes          
Age:100          
Birth Year:abt 1750          
Birthplace:Virginia          
Home in 1850:District 54, Russell, Virginia          
Gender:Male          
Family Number:202          
Household Members:NameAge               
James Sykes 68               
Nancy Sykes 64               
Polly Sykes 38               
Eliza Sykes 22               
John Sykes 100     

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 1004

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 1005

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 1006

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 1231

Notes:

Buried:
Sykes Family Cem. #1, Lebanon, Va.

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 1232

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]