Hi Joseph,

I wouldn't quit. Your Joel has a very rare first and last name combination - and since he is consistantly listed in Cabarrus records - I think you can be assured that he is the same person in 1840, 50 and 60 census records.

For further documentation about him, since he is a FPOC take a look at not only tax records but check chancery court records and estate accounts - he probably bought items at sales, or may have been hired to do carpentry and there may be receipts for his work.
Have you figured out what his connection was to the white HOUSE family in Cabarrus?

Denise