I rechecked the 1850 census for Henry NICHOLS, and discovered the same family surnames I'm researching.
NICHOLS, BROOKS and CAVANAH.
I'm researching the Black family of Hugh BROOKS ca 1862 MS that married a neighbor,Parry/ Lucendy NICHOLS ca 1884 MS.

In 1870 Hugh BROOKS ca 1862 MS is residing with
Name: Samuel BROOKS
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1824
Age in 1870: 46
Birthplace: Tennessee
Spouse's name: Caroline
Father's birthplace: VA
Mother's birthplace: VA
Home in 1870: Police Beat 5, Oktibbeha, Mississippi
Race: Colored
Gender: Male
Post Office: Choctaw Agency

They are residing next to a
Name: Joel M BROOKS aka Martin BROOKS
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1826
Age in 1870: 44
Birthplace: Mississippi
Spouse's name: Harriet
Father's birthplace: GA
Mother's birthplace: GA
Home in 1870: Police Beat 5, Oktibbeha, Mississippi
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Choctaw Agency

Also residing with Samuel and Caroline BROOKS are
Name: Diza CAVANAH
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1844
Age in 1870: 26
Birthplace: Mississippi
Home in 1870: Police Beat 5, Oktibbeha, Mississippi
Race: White
Gender: Female
Post Office: Choctaw Agency

Name: Jennie CAVANAH
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1869
Age in 1870: 7/12
Birthplace: Mississippi
Home in 1870: Police Beat 5, Oktibbeha, Mississippi
Race: White
Gender: Female
Post Office: Choctaw Agency

So far the earlist I can locate Parry/ Lucendy NICHOLS ca 1884 MS is 1900 residing with her Mother Sue NICHOLS ca
1860 MS. In 1910 they are residing next to Hugh BROOKS ca 1862 MS. I can't locate them in 1920, but in 1930 Hugh and another wife named Pat are in Beat 5, Oktibbeha, Mississippi.
Since all three surnames NICHOLS, BROOKS and CAVANAH. are residing so close in 1850, they are probally related in some way. There is no husband listed for Sue NICHOLS, if she was ever married, and there is no mention of a husband on the 1900 census.
You also stated Henry NICHOLS was in NC and AL before arriving in MS is that correct?

It seems Sue NICHOLS first child might have been born abt 1884, and I may locate her or her husband close to the Henry NICHOLS family abt 1880, any idea where they were abt 1880?
Any idea who the CAVANAH's were?