CREATE TABLE table_203_321 (id DECIMAL, "sheriff" TEXT, "start of term" DECIMAL)

which sheriff came before thomas wickes ?
SELECT "sheriff" FROM table_203_321 WHERE "start of term" < (SELECT "start of term" FROM table_203_321 WHERE "sheriff" = 'thomas wickes') ORDER BY "start of term" DESC LIMIT 1
SELECT "sheriff" FROM "table_203_321" WHERE "start of term" < (SELECT "start of term" FROM "table_203_321" WHERE "sheriff" = 'thomas wickes') ORDER BY "start of term" DESC NULLS LAST LIMIT 1