I have hit a brick wall and need help. My great, great, great grandfather was John Dickens circa 1788-1848 born in NC, he was married to Alsy Simpson circa 1790-1850 born in PA; Both families were listed as FPOC on the 1830 census in Oxford Twp, Guernsey County, Ohio.

What I know: 1) his son John Dickens 1/20/1819 was born free in PA. 2) The families (both Simpson and Dickins[both listed as FPOC, mulatto]) can be found in Redstone Twp, Fayette Co, PA in 1820 & only John Dickens [FPOC, mulatto] and his family on the 1810 census. I can trace John ONLY until 1809 on the Redstone Twp. Property Roll; he is listed as John 'Deacons'-Negro. 3) The family had light complexions and in Ohio were sometimes listed as white on various documents.

What my grandmother told me: 1) the Dickens family were originally Cherokee 2) that there was a marriage to a Scotts-Irish woman [I don't know which John Dickens she was referring to] 3) the family travelled from NC, through PA, from there onto Ohio.

I really have been having a difficult time knowing what records or sources are available in Redstone Twp, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania and how to go back from there.

Also, I wonder if there was a common path of migration that was followed during this period based on what labor was available.

Thanks in advance to anyone who might be able to lead me in the right direction