Hi Claire
I have been researching this family for a friend in the USA who is descended from Ruth Deacon daughter of Thomas Deacon and Sarah Dudley of Chalgrave. Ruth was born in 1856 at Leighton Buzzard district in Bedfordshire(Sep Q Volume No: 3B Page No: 367)and was in the USA by 1865 age 9 so I assume her parents went too. I also have this from the 1851 census before Ruth was born:-
DEACON, Thomas, Head, Married, M, 31, 1820, Coach Builder (Employg 6 Men), Eversholt
Bedfordshire,
DEACON, Sarah, Wife, Married, F, 31, 1820, , Hockliffe
Bedfordshire, ,
DEACON, Matilda, Daughter, , F, 4, 1847, , Berkhampstead
Hertfordshire,
BARNES, Charles, Aprentice, Unmarried, M, 18, 1833, Coach Builder's App, Chesham
Buckinghamshire,

Piece:1756, Folio:258, Page:16 Registration District:Leighton Buzzard, Civil Parish:Linslade, Municipal Borough:, Address:New Road, Linslade, County:Bedfordshire,
I can put you in touch with my friend, also Ruth, if you wish.
Regards Christine Wilson