Joseph Truluck was born in about 1814 in Louisville, Jefferson County, Georgia, USA. He died about 1885, and after 1880 in Starke, Bradford County, Florida, USA.

On January 27,1821, Joseph was living with his parents in Louisville, Jefferson County, Georgia. His parents seem to be Joseph and Elizabeth Truluck. He was 6 years old in 1821. According to the census of 1820, Microfilm M33-10, pg. 16, line 8 for Joseph, Sr., pg. 38 original, there were 3 males 0-10, and Jo, Jr. is believed to be one of them.

In 1830, he was still living with his parents in Thomas County, Georgia. He was about 15 years old in 1830. On December 21, 1838, he married Elisabeth Chason in Decatur County, Georgia. They were still living there in 1840.

On May 26, 1845, Joseph voted in the first state wide election of Florida. He voted in Whitesville, Duval (Clay), Florida. Whitesville later merged with Garey's Ferry, which later became known as Middleburg. This was not far from where he lived, because at this point he lived in the Thomasville District, Duval County, Florida. This area later became known as Clay County.

On November 1, 1850, Joseph was listed in the census that year, as living in the Thomasville District, Duval County, Florida. The Thomasville District was located in Waller/Belmore, Clay, Florida. He was a farmer at the time. On November 13, 1850, Joseph was the first church clerk at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church and was one of the founding members. He also was serving as moderator for the church. This information can be found in, "Beulah Baptist Church Minute Books" and in "A History of Beulah Baptist Church, 1850-2000", Clay County, Florida, page 6.

On April 1, 1854, Joseph and his family were living in the Kingsley Lake area, Clay, Florida. This information can be found in, "Parade of Memories: A History of Clay County, Florida," Arch Frederic Blakey, Clay County Bicentennial Steering Committee, 1976, page 271.

On March 21, 1858, Joseph was ordained as a Deacon at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church. This can be found in the minute books belonging to Beulah Baptist Church.

On August 16, 1860, Joseph and his family were living in Middleburg, Clay, Florida. In the census of that year, on that date, he is listed on line 1, dwelling # 199 & family # 199. Joseph was listed as 45 years old, a farmer, with real estate valued at 1000, and personal property valued at 2000. He was born in Georgia. His name was deciphered by a transcriber as "J. Triluctt". The members of his family living with him at that time, were his wife Elisabeth and their children, Elisabeth, John, Eliza, Louisa, Julia, Mary Ann, Christy, Josephine, and Edward.

In 1860, Joseph also was a slave holder in Middleburg. This can be found in, "Parade of Memories", as mentioned before, on page 61. He owned two slaves with one slave quarter. I have not been able to identify these individuals or ascertain when they received their emancipation.

In 1861, Joseph was a Judge of Probate, who served as county superintendent of the schools. This also can be found in, "Parade of Memories."

On June 19, 1880, Joseph and his family were living in Starke, Bradford County, Florida. On the census they were living in Precinct 6, Bradford Co., Florida. This can be found on line 5, page 23, household # 91 & family # 92. Joseph is listed as 65 years old, still a farmer, born in Georgia, with his father being born in North Carolina and his mother being born in Georgia. His wife, Elisabeth Chason Truluck was listed as 60 years old, his wife, and keeping house. She was born in Georgia, her father was born in North Carolina, and her mother was born in Georgia. Their children living with them in 1880 were Mary Ann, 22, single, listed as being a daughter, born in Florida, and keeping house; Edward, 20, listed as a son, single, working on the farm, and born in Florida; and Martha, 18, listed as being a daughter, single, staying at home, and born in Florida.

(Note that the 1850 census of his parents list that his mother was born in North Carolina, which was a direct primary source document related to her. Therefore, I am going with North Carolina as the place of birth for his mother Elizabeth. As far as I know, she was his mother).

Joseph and his family were still attending Beulah Missionary Baptist Church at this time.

During Joseph's life, he also was a Duval County Justice of the Peace. He performed marriage ceremonies. This can be found in, "Parade of Memories" and on Marriage certificates where his name is identified as the one that performed the marriage.


I have not found Joseph in the 1890 census or 1900 census in Florida. He died in Starke, Bradford County, Florida. He is buried at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church in Belmore, Clay, Florida. It is considered Kingsley, but the actual physical church cemetery location is in Belmore. The location is very near where Joseph and his family lived in the Thomasville District. Both died after June 19, 1880. They are both buried at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church at its original location, based on their names being listed in the Camp Blanding burial rooster.

I have written this memorial for my 3rd Great Grandfather.

This information can be found in, "Yesterday's Children", Talmia Slade Burr, Clay County, Florida, 2015, page 40-45. This is a book compiled of all of my ancestral history and family knowledge passed down. I wrote it because of the love I have for all of my ancestors and I love history.

Talmia Slade Burr, 2015.

For any corrections or additions, please contact me and I will correct or add the new information.