Joseph was a Baptist miller in Kent. He probably worked at one of the mills at Horton Kirby where he met and later married Ann Tyler in 1785 at St. Olave's, Hart Street, London. He then became the owner/manager of the new mill at Catford Bridge near Lewisham in 1808 (see below). They had four children, James (1788), Joseph (1792), Maria (1795) and Samuel (1796). James, the eldest, also had four children all baptised at St. Mary's in Lewisham from where the family grew and moved into south-east and east London.
Catford Mill possibly built by Earl St. German 1808 In Land Tax book at Catford Mill 1809 In Land Tax book at Catford Mill 1818 St. Mary Rate Book as owner of House, mill, two fields and 4 cottages at Rushey Green with Samuel and Joseph living near by 1824 Will 1837 Mill owned by Mumford. The Old Meeting House Besslles Green, east of the conservation area in Sevenoaks was built in 1716 as soon as the law allowed and is the first nonconformist chapel in the District.
