I would think the year he was born would be important if you think he was older that is generally reported. The 1850 census says he was born about 1810. The 1860 census says he was born about 1809. I can understand that small discrepency. But if he was a lot older by even a few years, I would think that is something else. We are about to celebrate his 200th birthday in 2009. That says something about his birth year to me at least.
Frank