An error in the Thomas Talley book, Negro Folk Rhymes, or a later edition of the sheet music came out in 1906. The Levy Collection has this sheet music copy:
"Homemade Chicken Pie," Frank Dumont, J. E. Ditson and Co., 1886. The lyrics are a little closer to those of Uncle Dave Macon (neighbor's yard, etc.)

This leaves more time for the song to have entered the folk realm.