Barton Warren Stone Nicks moved his family to the community of Stayton, Tennessee in about 1852. He was one of the earliest settlers of this north Dickson County community. By the turn of the century his children, grandchildren and their families would comprise a large portion of the population of this rural community.

This book is an effort to record the history of this Nicks family, along with the development of this area of Middle Tennessee during the period of 1850 until 1940. During the latter part of the 19^th century and until about 1920, Stayton was considered the hub of activity in Dickson County.