Thomas Sampson Sykes was the son of Frederic Sykes and Sarah "Sally" Moore.

According to the National Archives, Thomas S Sykes enlisted in the Confederate Army at Dover on March 18, 1861 for a one year enlistment. Thomas served as a private in Company E, 14th Tennessee Infantry. He was wounded in the Battle of Fredrickburg and admitted to the Confederate Hospital in Virginia in December of 1862 and released in March 1863.

After release from the hospital, he presented himself for duty. He was captured at the Battle of Gettysburg while serving in Archer's Brigade. He arrived at the Fort McHenry Federal Prison on July 7, 1863. Five days later, he was transfered to Fort Delaware. In February 1865, he was shipped to City Point, Virginia for exchange. On April 13, 1865, he was paroled at Lynchburg, Virginia.

Thomas Sampson Sykes lived in the Tennessee Ridge near Taylor's Chapel. Most of the people in Dover described him as the man who had 21 children. They did not see how he made a living on a poor ridge farm.

He married Rebecca Tucker on December 26, 1866. To this union were born nine children.

Thomas and Rebecca's children were:
Alonzo Allen
Gustaveous H (b. abt 1870 d.?)
Jesse T (b. abt 1872 d. abt 1942)
Callie L
William Albert
Elbert Wesley
Edna M (b. 1881 d.?)
Robert (b. bet 1880-1886 d. bef 1900)
Ruby (b. bet 1880-1886 d. bef 1900)

Robert and Ruby died young.

Rebecca died and was buried in the cemetery at Taylor's Chapel. [Rebecca likely died from the birth of either Robert or Ruby].

On September 26 1886, Thomas married Martha "Mattie" Kyle. To this union were born 12 children.

Thomas and Mattie's children were:
Marvin Lee
Morris T
Marion Walter
Marshall Emerson
Mitchell O
Onie Ethel
Thomas Gordon
Sterling McAllister "Mack"
Sarah Susan "Sudie"
Gilbert Ray
Pinkney Blenton "Pink"
Frank Brandaw

Thomas Sampson Sykes lived a long and useful life.