1860 Census Dixon Precinct

Do the work. Make the notes. Stick it in a drawer.

Gap of 2 years or so...

Find the notes.

I now remember finding a way to look at online photos of the microfilm records of the 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910 and 1920 Census records for Edwards County.

Reviewing my notes, I find immediate confirmation of Gary Whisenhunt’s work showing that John and Anne Dixon had at least 3 boys. Let’s start with the 1860 census.

We have John Dixon (Sr.), aged 60. Wife Anne, aged 64. (Note: This matches earlier genealogy showing that he was born in 1800 and she in 1795.) His occupation was farmer and country of origin was England. He estimated the value of his personal estate at $200 and reported zero for real estate value. (Note: It appears that he had already transferred title to his children.)

We also have John Dixon (Jr.), aged 30, born in England. Also his wife Margaret E., aged 21, born in Illinois. Also Baby John W., aged 3 months, also born in Illinois. John (Jr.) was a millwright. (Note: This matches reporting in The Albion Journal that there was once a “Dixon Mill” on the Little Wabash river.) He estimated his real estate value at $2,300 and personal estate value at $1,500.

We also have Joseph Dixon, aged 27, born in England. Wife Grace, aged 22, born in England. Daughter Alice A., aged 1. Plus a person named Frank (Note: Dixon? See later on.), a farm laborer, aged 30, born in England. Joseph estimated the value of his real estate at $2,000 and personal estate at $500. Joseph and Grace were my grandfather’s grandparents.

We also have Alfred Dixon, aged 25, born in England. Also wife Fanny A., aged 17, born in Indiana. His real estate is valued at $1,000 and personal estate at $30.

The information above was on page 483 of 778. Then we spot something on page 461 of 778:

John (H or F?) Dixon, aged 11, born in Illinois. This John Dixon lives in the household of Hannah Marshall, aged 39, a single mom who is a schoolteacher. Plus her 4 kids. (Note: Gary Whisenhunt recalls a girl named Hannah in the will of John Dixon (Sr.). Update: The will shows that Hannah Marshall is the oldest child of John and Grace Dixon and the 11 year old boy is undoubtedly her son John Marshall.)

Another child, James Dixon, is no longer present in the county.