In the N.C. 1840 Cabarrus County, N.C. is a free person of color named Joel House. In looking at the 1850 and 1860 census of Cabarrus County, I see a Joel House, mulatto, laborer/carpenter, and it seems as though he is listed as a FPOC. Wonder if there is an actual listing of such, a proof in the pudding so to speak. I can only go by what I have presented.
Joseph