Very little is known about Joel, except he was born about 1786, but at this time it is unclear as to whether he was born in America or in Ireland. One family story that is told says that he came to America as a " babe in arms ", with his parents and two sisters. Neithr the parents or the sisters names have survived with this
The fact that Joel was ordained as a minster of the gospel by special request of the Church of Hebron in Jackson County, Tennessee on the 13th day of December 1834 is about all the information this researcher has found with the exception of one Tennessee census record that shows him as Joel Handley. This is the only time I have seen this spelling in reference to Joel.
I have copied the record of his Ordination and it can be seen HERE
Joel was married to Mary Horn(e), who according to family lore was at least half indian if not full-blooded. It's my assumption that they were married in Georgia, because of their children's birth places. Joel and Mary probably had other children, but at this tim I have only the ones listed below. If someone could fill in the missing links..it would be appreciated.
Children of Joel & Mary
Capel 1807
Uriah 1809
Aiden Smith 1812-1890
Nimrod 1816
