I'm trying to connect my Nichols/Nicholls line. The usual spelling has been Nichols though I've found it in several variations including Nicholls. I found these censuses for Absolem and Martha Nichols 1860 & Absolom and Martha Nichols 1870 both in Johnson Co, IL, see below. 1860 Census Vienna P.O., Johnson Co., IL Dwelling no. 547 Family no. 423 Absolem Nichols 43, farmer, RE 1,160 PP 735, TN Martha Nichols 42, AL Coleman Nichols 21, KY Wilson Nichols 17, IL Eliza Nichols 15, KY Amy C. Nichols 13, IL Minerva Nichols 10, KY Melinda Nichols 8, KY 1870 Census Reynoldsburg P.O., Twp 11 R11E, Johnson County, Illinois Dwelling NO. 60 Family No. 60 Absolom Nichols 53, farmer, RE 2000 PP 600, TN Martha Nichols 52, AL Malinda Nichols 17, IL Sarah Nichols 9, IL Nancy Nichols 7, IL I believe this is the same Absalam Nichols who witnessed the sale of land, with Thomas Wood, October 17, 1854 in Pope County, IL which is back-to-back with Johnson county. Thomas Wood was my GG-Grandfather. My GG-Grandmother was a Nichols. See deed record below. I also found a government land patent for Absalom Nichols for Johnson County, IL purchased November 10, 1855. Each document has a different spelling for his given name: Absalom, Absolom, Absolem, and Absalam. Anyone researching this Nichols family? Deed Book G, pg 741,742: Oct 17, 1854, Stephen Step and Susan Step his wife of Pope Co, IL selling the same 160 acres back to Wm Wood for the same amt of money ($450.00). Deed signed by: Stephen Step and Susan Step Witnesses: Thomas Wood and Absalam Nichols Recorded Oct 23, 1856. Government land patent: Accession/Serial #: IL1980__.396 BLM Serial #: IL NO S/N Names Patentee: ABSALOM NICHOLS Survey State: ILLINOIS Acres: 80 Metes/Bounds: No Title Transfer Issue Date: 11/10/1855 Land Office: Shawneetown Cancelled: No Mineral Reservations: No Authority: April 24, 1820: Sale-Cash Entry (3 Stat. 566) Document Numbers Document Nr.: 22573 Accession/Serial Nr.: IL1980__.396 BLM Serial Nr.: IL NO S/N Land description: SWNE 23/ 11-S 4-E No 3rd PM IL Johnson SWNW 24/ 11-S 4-E No 3rd PM IL Johnson