In 1816, Abraham Linville, Aaron Linville, John Proffitt, and a man named Wood, with their families, joined the first settlers. They were all from Tennessee. This could very well be Joseph or Joseph's father.

Joseph Woods was listed on the 1821 Ray County Tax List. There was also a John Woods listed, this could either be his Father or Brother.

Joseph Woods is listed in the Rhoda Rowland Family Bible as being married to Elizabeth Tarwater on 10 April 1821. This marriage is not recorded in Clay or Ray Co.

Joseph Woods and Elizabeth Tarwater are listed in the Samuel Woods Family Bible as being married in Clay County, Missouri.

Joseph Woods is listed on the 1822 Tax List for Ray County, Missouri one levy $.50, one horse $50.00, 2 cows $20.00--Improvement-$25.00 73 3/4

Joseph Woods was listed on the 1830 census living in Ray County, MO. It lists that one white male of 30 and under 40, that being Joseph. One white male of 10 and under 15 this is probably James Woods. James shows up on the 1850 Ray County census age 33 and born in Tennessee. He could either be Joseph's brother or son from a previous marriage. Also there is one white male of 5 and under 10 (John-6), one white male under 5 years of age (Isaac-4). His wife Elizabeth-24 is listed as white female of 20 and under 30. It lists four other white females. Two of 5 and under 10 are (Unknown) and the two under 5 are (Sarah-4 and Catherine-4).

Joseph Woods was listed on the 1840 census living in Fishing River township, Ray county,Missouri. It lists him as being of 40 and under 50 years old. It also lists four other white males. One of 15 and under 20 (John-16), One of 10 and under 15 (Isaac-14), one of 5 and under 10 (Jacob-9) and one under 5 years of age (Joseph-4). Samuel who is 2 years old is not listed. His wife Elizabeth-34 is listed as of 30 and under 40. There are five more white females listed; two of 15 and under 20 (Sarah-15 and Catherine-15), one of 10 and under 15 (Ruth-9) and two of 5 and under 10 (Nancy-8) and (Elizabeth-6). It listed that the number of persons in each family employed in Agriculture was 3 and that 1 family member could not read or write.