Further research in the 1850 Tennessee census records show:

Thos A M Degraffenried Age: 8 Estimated birth year: abt 1842 Birth place: Tennessee Gender: Male Home in 1850 (City,County,State): District 9, Giles, Tennessee

Residing in the household of Farmer Larkin Cardin

I would believe this cements the identity of the writer.

George Martin