William Dean, son of Jesse Dean and Hester Ann Carney, was born probably on the Dean family farm along the main Dover to Smyrna Rd. in Little Creek Hundred, Kent Co.,DE around 1828 according to the census records.

Sometime before 1850 he married Lavinia (last name unknown, although possible a COTT). They appear in the 1850 Little Creek Hundred Census: William is listed as age 22 and is called a "wagoner". His wife Lavinia is listed as age 16 (born c. 1834). They appear again in the 1860 Dover Hundred census.

William and Lavinia had the following children:

1. Jesse Dean (b.1850)

2. Annie Dean (b.1852)

3. Ellen Dean (b.1855)
   an "Ella" Dean married Isaac Sockume in Gloucester City, NJ on 20 May, 1875. Isaac was a barber who was born in Gloucester City on 14 May, 1854 and died on 6 Sept. 1889. It is possible he was the son of Levin Sockum who left Sussex Co. and moved his family to NJ after the Sockum/Harmon trial.

4. Mary Dean (b.1857 - d. 6 Nov., 1898 in DE)
   Mary married Joseph CARNEY

5. Sarah Dean (b.1868)

According to the Orphans Court Records for his father, William died sometime before his father who died in October, 1868. Provisions were made for only three of his children: Josiah (could this be Jesse??), Ellen and Mary.

Lavinia is found in the 1870 Little Creek Hundred Census with children: Jessie (19), Ellen (14), Mary (12) and Sarah (age 1). There is no mention of daughter Annie. Also living in the household was David MILLER (27) a farm laborer.