Who was the older male enumerated as 10-15 in Jesse Dickens' household in the 1820 Smith County, TN Census? 

DISCUSSION:  At minimum - beginning no later than 1820 and continuing without change beyond 1860, the Jesse Dickens and Joseph Summersett families were next door neighbors in Smith Co., TN. The male enumerated as 10-15 in Jesse and Mary Polly McDerment Dickens' 1820 Smith Co., TN household was probably "William Dickens" (hereafter called "William of Caroline") and he was born about 1805 +/-. The exact year of marriage is not certain - but between 1830 and 1833, he married "Caroline" and she was the daughter of Joseph and Harriet Summersett.

It is with certainty that William of Caroline was NOT a son of Jesse and Mary Polly McDerment Dickens as they were not married until 1812. There is no evidence of such - but even if Jesse had been previously married, he would have only been about 15 when William of Caroline was born. 

In November 1837, William and Caroline deeded their interest in the estate of Joseph Summersett to John and Frances Duffy.  The whereabouts of this William of Caroline in 1830 is unknown, however in 1840, William of Caroline and family are enumerated in Smith Co., TN; in 1850 they were enumerated in Wilson Co., TN; and from 1860 on - they were enumerated in Obion Co., TN. The following are a couple of interesting facts:

• In 1830, William of Caroline - is no longer in the household of Jesse and Mary Polly McDerment Dickens, and his whereabouts at this time is unknown as he is not enumerated as a head of household.

• In 1829, a John Dickens was Taxed in Obion Co., TN - no further records in Obion after 1829 [by 1860 - William of Caroline is living in Obion]

• In 1830, John Dickens Sr. - is also missing from any available Census data.

• William of Caroline - may have been a son of John Sr.  -  see UNSOLVED #2, 4, 6, and 7

• William of Caroline - may have been a son of Charlotte  -  see UNSOLVED #1, and 3