Thomas Herman Sink ^{1 2 3 4 5 6}

   FamilySearch ID: K4XN-GFD.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Census in 1930 in Midway, Davidson, NC. ⁷ The 1930 census recorded owning a home on Hard Surface Road 66: Thomas H. Sink, farmer, 49, living with wife Clara, 45; Kermit, 22; Clarence, 18; Bulah, 15; Florence, 13; Fred, 10; Willie, 8; Edna, 4; and Frances, 2. Everyone and their parents were born in North Carolina.

2. Cause of Death: Thomas died at N.C. Baptist Hospital from cerebral thrombosis due to cerebral arteriosclerosis, 14 Feb 1960, Winston-Salem, Forsyth, NC. ⁵

3. Occupation: farmer on 14 Feb 1960 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth, NC. ⁴

4. Residence: Route 9, Winston-Salem, NC on 14 Feb 1960 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth, NC. ⁵

5. Book: The Heritage of Davidson County 1982: Biography of Thomas Herman Sink, 1982. ¹
Thomas Herman Sink was born 14 April 1880 to Matthias and Chrissa Bowers Sink. His grandparents were Andrew and Elizabeth Livengood Sink. He was raised in the Pilgrim community of Old Greensboro Road. His parents were farmers and Thomas spent many hours tilling the fields and roaming the forest near where the DCCC is today. His sisters and brothers were Elizabeth S. Eddinger, Molly S. Tussy, Margaret B. Sink, Etta S. Byrley, Sally S. Holmes, William Sink, Lee Sink, Charles Sink and John Sink.

(photo of Thomas Herman and Clara Belle Beard Sink)

When Thomas met Clara B. Beard from Midway, he set aside part of his time for traveling to see her. The roads were bad and traveling with horse and wagon or buggy became difficult, sometimes impossible, when the weather was bad. Thus he did not get to make the trip every week but would send letters instead.

He told a story once about buying a new set of harnesses for his horses and coming to Midway to see Clara. When he came outside that night he discovered that his new harnesses had been cut to pieces. The boys in the neighborhood had little to do for entertainment and got a big kick out of hiding in the bushes and watching the reaction of the out-of-community boy.

Thomas Herman Sink and Clara B. Beard were married 5 January 1907 by Rev. M. L. Vestal. Clara's father was not living at that time so seeing a need to help her mother, Tom and Clara made their home in Midway with Clara's mother. They lived there 5 years. In 1912 they built a house beside of the old homeplace. After the death of Clara's mother Thomas and Lucy Beard's estate was settled. Tom and Clara bought William and John Beard's (Clara's half-brothers) portion of the estate. Along with Clara's inheritance they owned around 100 acres lying adjacent to and including portions of where Midway School property is today and extending west beyond Highway 52. Their home and main farming land was west of the highway extending south beyond where Midway Methodist Church stands today.

Thomas Herman Sink joined Midway Methodist Church when he first moved to Midway. He was a faithful member having perfect attendance for more than 30 years. Being the caretaker and cemetery manager of the church much of his time was spend there, including arriving at the church early enough to fire the furnaces and ring the bell. Tom Sink is remembered most by those who know him when his name is associated with Midway Methodist Church.

Thomas Herman Sink d. 14 February 1960; Clara B. Beard Sink died 29 October 1966.

Their children are:
(1) Herman Kermit (Unmarried) 1907-1968;
(2) Gladys Eugenia (Sam Beeson) 1909- ; 3 children: Clyde Beeson, Norma Beeson Day, Linda Beeson Richardson; 6 grandchildren: Krista Matthews, Timothy Beeson, Joel Beeson, Michael Day, David Day, Eugenia Richardson;
(3) Clarence Melton (Lena Reavis) 1911-1980, 1 child: Milton;
(4) Beulah Violet (Sam Benoy) 1914- ; 1 child: Marlene Hanes; 1 grandchild Amber Hanes
(5) Florence Beard (Willie Sowers) 1917- ; 2 children: Thomas Sowers, Betty Ann Long; 2 grandchildren: Amy Long, Jeffery Long;
(6) Carl Fred Sink (Unmarried) 1919-1936;
(7) Willie Ray (Mary Ann Hege) 1922- ; 2 children: Judy Callahan, Ray Dean Sink; 2 grandchildren: Tracy Callahan, Trent Callahan;
(8) Edna Oleen (Ray Presley) 1926- ; 3 children: Charles Ray Presley, Janice Edwards, Kimmey Presley; 5 grandchildren: Paula Presley, Carla Presley, Monica Presley, Brent Edwards, Elizabeth Edwards; and
(9) Mary Frances (Graham Beeker) 1927- ; 5 children: Carol Long, Jean Spainhour, Charles Beeker, Richard Beeker, Nelson Beeker; 5 grandchildren: Holden Long, Barret Long, Jonathan Spainhour, Christina Spainhour, Meredith Beeker.

Some of the descendants of Thomas and Clara Sink remain on the ancestor's estate. These include: Beulah and Sam Benoy; Marlene, Barry and Amber Hanes; Edna and Ray Presley; Janice, Danny, Brent and Beth Edwards; and Kimmey Presley.

Sources: Family Bible, Davidson County Register of Deeds Records, Interviews with family members

- Mrs. Ray Presley and Mrs. Sam Benoy.

Thomas married Clara Belle Beard on 5 Jan 1907 in , Davidson, NC.^{1 2} (Clara Belle Beard was born on 28 Nov 1883 in Midway, Davidson, NC,^{8 9} died on 29 Oct 1966 in Lexington, Davidson, NC ^{8 9} and was buried on 31 Oct 1966 in Midway: Midway United Methodist Church Cemetery, Davidson, NC ^{8 9}.)