Joseph Craven, the third son of Peter Craven, married about 1775 Lydia Hancock, daughter of Joshua Hancock, in either Rowan, Orange or Guilford County, NC. He is listed in the 1790 census for Randolph County, NC showing 1 male over 16 years of age, 3 males under 16 and 3 females. The names of four of Joseph's children are known. The fifth, one of the males, may not have reached maturity. Joseph is listed in the 1800 census but his household is unclear; listed are 2 males under 10 (neither known son was this young), 1 male 26-45 (himself), 1 female under 10 (neither known daughter was this young) and 1 female 26-45 (probably Lydia).

But it must be taken into consideration that the period 1790-1810 was a time of transition for residents of western North Carolina. In 1789, North Carolina had ceded her western territory, Tennessee, to the Union. The next twenty years saw a steadily increasing migration west from Rowan, Orange, Guilford and Randolph Counties, among others. It is most likely that, in 1800, Joseph and Lydia were caring for other's children while their parents sought homesteads in Tennessee. By 1808, Joseph and Lydia had joined other Cravens in and around LaFollette, Campbell County, Tennessee. Family legend holds that Joseph visited Missouri territory in 1808.