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- Described in his 1662 marriage license as a merchant, of St. Stephen's, Coleman Street, London.
Notwithstanding the multiple records of his marriage to Elizabeth Rawlett having taken place after 4 April 1662, the handwritten record in the parish register clearly says the wedding took place on 8 April.
Paul Sykes (citation details below) notes that although the London administration of Bernard Sykes's estate is listed as May 1682 (in English Estates of American Colonists 1610-1699, and evidently in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury transcription on findmypast.co.uk), in fact the original document in Latin states that the administration took place on 3 May 1683.
Also according to Paul Sykes, on page 392 of volume II of Nell Marion Nugent's compilation of early Virginia records, Cavaliers and Pioneers, which we have not seen, Bernard Sykes and his family were imported to Virginia by Maj. Arthur Allen.
Bernard Sykes is described in Lyon Gardiner Taylor's 1915 Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography as "an active friend of Nathaniel Bacon, Jr.; resided in Charles City county and was a member of the assembly called by General Ingram after Bacon's death in October, 1676."
It seems evident that Bernard Sykes was fortunate to avoid being executed in the immediate wake of the failure of Bacon's Rebellion and the return to power of Governor William Berkeley. Following the report of an investigative committee commissioned by Charles II, Berkeley was relieved of his governship and sent back to England, and the remaining landowners who had supported Bacon, including Sykes, were left unharmed.
Bernard Sykes is also mentioned in this legal record.
From Dr. Banks R. Cates of Charlotte, North Carolina:
May 1677. Charles City County - "We the Subscribers haveing been desired and requested there unto by the Inhabitants of this County (this day convened at Westover in the sd county for that purpose) doe present this their Humble Remonstrance and addresse to his Ma'tys Hon'ble Commissioners for Virg'a affayers this 10 day of May, 1677. Signed: BERN'D SYKES, James Minge, Tho. Blayton, N. Wyatt, Wm. Duke, Tho. Grendon, James Bisse." (Virginia Magazine of History & Biography)
9 Jun 1677 - Charles City County Court: Upon motion and testamony of Dan. Clarke Sherr and Jas. Mings that it was order of the Rt. Hon. Herb. Jeffreys, Esq: Governor etc: that BARNARD SYKES & Mr. Thos. Grendon be sworn as Justices they being present but the court considered that Mr. SYKES had not been an inhabitant of the colony the necessary time, decided to suspend the oath until further instructions from the Governor. Mr. Grendon refused the oath until the whole matter was cleared. (Charles City County VA Order Book, 1676-1679, Pg. 4, by Margaret McNeill Ayres, 1968, private printing.)
16 Jun 1677 - Charles City County Court: Jno. Coggan plt. agst. BERNARD SYKES attorney of Roland Place Esq. deft. referred to next court. (Ibid., pg. 6)
14 Sep 1677 - Charles City County Court: Gilbert Plat plt. agst. MR. BERNHARD SYKES dft., referred to next court. (Ibid., pg. 14)
19 Nov 1677 - Charles City County Court: Jame Mason & his wife summoned as witnesses in the suit of Gilbert Plat, plt. & BERNARD SYKES, deft., not appearing are fined. The difference between Mr.Gilbert Platt plt. & Mr. BERNARD SYKES deft. concerning a servant man is by joint consent referred to the arbitration of Coll. Edward Hill & Mr. Tho. Grendon, and in case of difference, to chose an umpire. (Ibid., pg. 27)
4 Feb 1678 - Charles City County Court: The difference between Gilbert Platt plt. & Mr. BERNARD SYKES deft. was referred to the arbitration of Coll. Edw. Hill & Mr. Thos Grendon. They award Mr. Gilbert Plattplt. 1200 lbs to b. (Ibid., pg. 38)
15 Apr 1678 - Charles City County Court: Admin. granted Mr. Jno. Stith on the estate of Rich. Hanson. MR. BERNARD SYKES security: Mr. Rich. Moseby & Jno. Turner to appraise it. (Ibid., pg. 49)
16 Apr 1678 - Charles City County Court: On an order of the Hon. Herb Jeffreys Esq. gov. etc., MR. BERNARD SYKES was sworn a Justice of the Peace. (Ibid., pg. 49)
16 Apr 1678 - Charles City County Court: Mr. BERNARD SYKES petitions the court for confirmation of a license for an ordinary at Westover granted to him by the Hon. Herb. Jeffreys, Gov. etc...The court confirms same but stipulates that it shall not injure Coll. Edw. Hill who has a bargain and agreement with the Justices. (Ibid., pg. 51)
16 Apr 1678 - Charles City County court: Judgm't granted MR. BERNARD SYKES plt. vs. Maj. Jno Stath adm. for Sam'l Phillips' estate for 1402 lbs. tob. it being for goods delivered acording to the account. (Ibid., pg. 53)
26 Jun 1678 - Charles City County Court; MR. BERNARD SIKES, sworn in the case of Hix & Hamlin deposes cattle were made to him for security, known of Maj. Stith. MR. SIKES then asked to let the poor man have them but deft. wanted pay in tobacco. SIKES then asked Hix why he marked them and plt. said they were his own. (Ibid., pg. 62)
6 Dec 1668 - Charles City County Court: Westover - present same justices. To MR. SYKES for 5 days as juryman---240. (Ibid., pg. 83)
18 Feb 1679 - Charles City County Court; Westover, Pres: Lt. Coll. Clarke, Lt. Coll. Grendon, Mr. BAR. SYKES, Maj. Pythress, Maj. Stith, Mr. Blayton and Mr. Hen. Batt. (Ibid., pg. 100)
4 Aug 1679 - Charles city County Court: MR. BERN. SIKES, plt. VS Thos. Blanks as marrying the relict of Jeffrey Mumford being a matter of dispute is referred to next court. The papers examined & audited by Col. Thos. Grendon and Maj. Jno. Stith to audit and balance papers to determine dispute. (Ibid., pg. 108)
4 Aug 1679 - Charles City County Court: MR. BERN. SIKES proved claims agst. Jas. Mason's est. for 642 lvs. tob. (Ibid, Pg. 109)
16 Oct 1679 - Charles City County Court: MR. BERN. SYKES assignee of Mr. Jno. Drayton plt. VS Joshua Mecham dft. the plt. has judgmt. agst. the dft. for 1698 lbs. tob. due by judgmt. to Mr. Jno. Drayton 16 Aug 1678 for 1489 lbs. tob. & for 259 lbs tob. fees & levys. judgmt. awarded for 1200 lbs. tob. plus cost and expenses. Jdgmt. awarded MR.SYKES vs. the estate of Alex fflowler in the hands of Mr. Rich. Moseby for 681 lbs. tob. for funeral of Ann ffowler. (Ibid., pg. 117)
3 May 1682, The Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury, London: Letters of Administration from BERNARD SYKES, late of City of London but in Virginia, to Geo. Gay the Admr. (during absence of ELIZ. SYKES, widow now in parts overseas). (English Estates of American Colonists, by Peter W. Coldham, Gen. Pub. Co. 1980 Baltimore.)
May 1682 - Will of BERNARD SYKES of London, who died in Virginia. Administration by decree to George Gay during absence of relict ELIZABETH SYKES. (Immigrants to America appearing in English records, by Frank Smith, Everton Pub. 1976.)
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