Joseph and his family were deported to Massachusetts when he was a small child.

They were living in Salem when they returned to Nova Scotia in 1772.

When they first returned to Nova Scotia, Joseph became one of the first settlers of Bas-de-Tousquet, which was later renamed Wedgeport.

At the time of their marriage, a priest was not available, so their marriage was ratified on 24 August 1781, at Ste-Anne-du-Ruisseau, N.-É.