The 1850 census (recorded November 1850) for Pottawattamie County, District 21, page 145, lists the following, which might be helpful to your research: Dwelling 1287. Rhody Laurence, age 37, female, b. NC (might say UC, but I'm not sure what that would be). Araminta Laurence, 19, b. NC Sarah Laurence, 16, b. NC Maria Laurence, 14, b. NC Emma Laurence, 12, b. IA Mary Laurence, 9, b. IL Lucretia, age 1, b. PA (it clearly says PA) Dwelling 1288. Thomas Ashton, wagon maker, b. England, age 32 Sarah Ashton, 22, b. NC Joseph, 12, b. England (was Thomas married before, or is this a brother?) Mary, 4, b. IA (was this a child by a first wife of Thomas? John, 6 months, b. IA Dwelling 1289. John Mills, 45, carpenter, b. NC Jane Mills, 42, b. NC Martin Mills, age 20, b. NC Barbara Mills, age 14, b. NC I also find two marriages for Thomas Ashton: Thomas Ashton to Sarah E. Mills, 23 September 1849 Thomas Ashton to Araminta Lawrence, 17 Feb 1851 (I'm assuming Sara died soon after the census was taken in November 1850, and Thomas married 3 months later to Araminta?) I hope this is helpful to you.