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Joseph Francis was born in 1742, probably in Maryland, or possibly in Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth (last name not known). Joseph and Elizabeth Francis were living in Frederick County, Maryland in 1776. The couple had ten children. The names of their children were as follows: Lucy Francis (born 1769), Elizabeth Francis (born 1770), Jacob Francis (born 1772), Hester Francis (born 1774), Jacob Francis (born 1775), Joseph Francis (born 1776), Reason Francis (born 1778), Levi Francis (born 1780), John R. Francis (born 1782), and Daniel Francis (born 1784). Elizabeth Francis was killed by lightning while her son Daniel Francis was still a baby.
Joseph Francis then married Margaret Taylor. To this couple were born seven more children: Isaac Francis (born 1788), Margaret Francis (born 1790), Nancy Francis (born 1792), Susie Francis (born 1793/4), Abraham Francis (born 1795), Mary Francis (born 1797), and William Francis (born 1798). All of the children born to Margaret Taylor Francis after Isaac Francis were born in Botetort County, Virginia. Joseph Francis died in Madison County, Ohio between 1830 and 1840. Most of the children grew up and settled in Ohio and Illinois.
Family legend has it that Joseph Francis was an only child. His parents were of French descent. When Joseph was only a few months old his parents were walking over a frozen pond. The ice was very thin at one place. People standing on the other side of the pond tried to warn Joseph's parents of the danger. But they were unable to hear the warnings. The ice broke beneath them, and they plunged into the frigid water. Just as Joseph's father was going under he managed to thrust the baby forward to safety. Joseph Francis was that baby. He was rescued by those who had tried to warn the parents.