Who was the "William Dickens" that was enumerated in the 1830 Jackson County, TN Census as 30-40 with 3 males 0-5, 1 female 0-5, 1 female 15-20, and one female 20-30 in his household?

DISCUSSION:  This William (hereafter called William of Marina) based on census data was born between 1790 and no later than 1800, and concurrently appears in Jackson Co., TN in 1830 with "Charlotte" Dickens.  In 1830, 1 of the 3 males living in William of Marina's household was a "James M. Dickens" (who was not a son of this William). This James M. Dickens is further discussed in Unsolved #7.

In 1836, this William of Marina purchased a tract of land laying on the waters of Snow & Hurricane Creek from "Abraham Caruthers" in Smith Co., TN, for which he signed a promissory "note" as he was still indebted to Abraham owing another $100 for the tract of land. Unfortunately William of Marina never paid this note as he died in 1836 shortly after acquiring this land. [CLICK HERE TO SEE DEED]

By 1840, a fourth male now appears - within the household of "Marina Dickens" (William's widow). This fourth male was Leighton (aka: Laton) who was born in 1832, and was William's 3rd and last son.  

In August 1848, Abraham Caruthers forgives the outstanding debt (the note owed him by William of Marina) and issues a deed of gift for this very same land to Dixon, Laton, Henry, and Mary Ann who were the stated heirs of William Dickens. [It is entirely unknown to me why Abraham did this. Perhaps he was related somehow to William or Marina].

Just a few days before Abraham Caruthers issues this deed of gift to the heirs of William of Marina, Marina Dickens - the widow of William Dickens (aka: Mary Ann/Mariah) married Joseph Dillard - and a few months later (November 1848), deeds her share of this land to Laten, Dixon, and Henry.

• William of Marina COULD have been a son of John Sr. who was Henry Sr.'s son but ONLY IF he was born after the 1800 Caswell CO., NC Census was taken - and before the end of 1800 (roughly some time between August - October of 1800), HOWEVER, it is VERY UNLIKELY as he COULD NOT have been listed as 30-40 in the 1830 Jackson Co., TN Census - since under this scenario, he would have been 29 at the time of the 1830 census.

• William of Marina COULD have been an older son of the widow "Charlotte" - IF she was NOT a younger wife of Henry Sr.; Charlotte being his mother in my opinion appears to be the most likely since Henry Sr.'s sons: John Sr. and William had no sons of their own prior to 1800 - and it appears this William was indeed born some time between 1792 - 1800.

• William of Marina COULD also have been an undocumented son of Jeremiah and Rebeccah Dickens. Since this William died in 1836, he would obviously NOT have been named as an heir of Jeremiah in the various court records associated with Jeremiah's death. However, IF this IS true - then Jeremiah must have had another wife BEFORE he married "Rebeccah" in 1802 (unless of course "Rebeccah" herself was the widow of another Unidentified Dickens prior to her marriage to Jeremiah Dickens - and thus William of Marina could have been from Rebeccah's prior marriage! See Unsolved #10).

• William of Marina COULD have been a brother of Samuel, James Jr., and Lewis of Wilson Co., TN - thus a fourth son of James Sr. who based on court records died in Wilson Co., TN around 1807.

• William of Marina CANNOT be a son of Samuel, James Jr., or Lewis of Wilson Co., TN based on their known ages and marriage dates. 

• William of Marina CANNOT be Henry Sr.'s son William - as in 1830 he would have to be in the 50-60 age group.

• William of Marina CANNOT be the William who was a grandson of Henry Sr. via Henry Sr.'s son William - as that William was not born until about 1814

• William of Marina CANNOT be a son of Jesse or Joseph C. as both of them were far too young to have been his father.