Hello,
I'm researching my Minerva Nichols who married Willard Holt. Minerva was b. 1809. She married Willard bef. July 1830. They are living in Sandy Hill, (later called Hudson Falls, NY) in Washington Co. NY in July 1830. There was a notice in the paper that Minerva Holt had a letter at the Sandy Hill post office. In January 1830 there is a notice of a letter for Willard, but it is not known if he was married as yet. They are found in Greenwich, Washington Co. NY on the 1835 state census erroneously listed as William Holt. He bought land in Peru, Bennington Co. VT in April 1835 from his brother, Joseph Holt and sold it in Sept 1835. The land transactions in VT state he was living in Greenwich, Washington Co. NY. According to his son's bio (William H. Holt) the family moved to Fulton Co. IL in 1838. So I am intrigued to find your Sarah Amelia Nichols Dawson is also living in Fulton Co. IL. Perhaps there is a connection in the Nichols family? Sarah might have been Minerva's niece.
Although I don't find Willard and Minerva listed in the 1830 census in Washington Co., I find a Philip Nichols living in Kingsbury, Washington Co. NY and 5 doors down, it looks like a Hepzibah Holt listed.
Have you looked at any records for this Philip Nichols?

Linda Garrett