Frederick Dykeman was born in 1711 in Hackensack, New Jersey. He lived in Redding, Fairfield County, Connecticut, as early as 1744. His father died there in 1768, but due to the destruction of buildings and records during the American Revolution, little more has been found on Frederick's life there.
A very poor copy of the first U.S. Federal Census, however, reveals a Frederick Dikeman living in Redding in 1790. Was this Frederick, or possibly a son by the same name?
The 1790 census was the first U.S. Federal census. The population in the United States was 3.9 million at the time. Census takers were not supplied with forms and were only required to provide a list containing the names of the heads of household, the number of free white males over 16 years old, free white males under 16, free white females, and slaves in each home. Frederick's census entry contains only three figures, however. It appears the household had one male over age 16 (Frederick), two males under age 16, and six females.
