Thanks very much! That makes sense. What I've learned through these tax records so far:
1752 only Erik is listed, there is a note there also which I'm assuming now relates to his wife's health, but he is not noted as a widower.
1753 there is no tax record available.
1754 & 1755 both Erik and his wife are listed.
1756 & 1757 only Erik is listed, but he is not described as a widower
1758 Erik is noted as a widower from then on.
This information greatly improves my understanding! I'm going to go back as far as I can to see what else I can find out about this newly discovered person Erik Persson!
I really didn't expect the tax records to provide me with another generation - I was primarily using the tax records to confirm what I knew already!
Thanks again for your help,
Vicki Cihla