Thomas A. Sykes
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Thomas A. Sykes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| North Carolina House of Representatives | |
| In office 1868–1872 | |
| Tennessee House of Representatives | |
| In office 1881–1882 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1835 North Carolina, U.S. |
| Occupation | Politician |
Thomas A. Sykes (born c. 1835) was an American politician and tax official. An African-American, he was born into slavery. After the Civil War, he served as a Republican member of the North Carolina House of Representatives for four one-year terms (1868–1872) and as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for one two-year term (1881–82).[1] He represented Shelby County, Tennessee. He also served as a revenue collector and gauger. He lived in Nashville.[2]
Sykes was born enslaved.[3]
Early political career
Sykes served on the North Carolina Republican Party State Executive Committee in 1868.[3]
North Carolina House of Representatives
Sykes was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1868, representing Pasquotank County. He was reelected in 1870 and served until 1872.[4] During the first session of the 1868 legislature, he served on the House's Committee on Privileges and Elections and on a joint Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. In the second session, he served on the House's Committee on Public Grounds and Committee on Education.[5] During the 1870 legislature, he served on the Committee on Privileges and Elections, the Committee on Enrolled Bills, and the joint Committee on Per Diem.[6]
In 1870, Sykes proposed the levy of a tax of one tenth of one percent of all property to generate revenue to support public education. The bill did not pass. In January 1872, he introduced a successful resolution which dedicated revenue from the sale of public lands to supporting public education.[7] He introduced a bill on February 21, 1870 which provided for citizens of all races to utilize all public conveyances which was unsuccessful.[8] In early 1871, Sykes voted with a majority of the House in favor of impeaching Governor William Woods Holden on a charge related to fraud concerning the issuance of state railway bonds.[9]
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