Joseph Montgomery was born in 1733 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and moved to Augusta County, Virginia, in 1746. In 1762 he entered 400 acres on Pine Run and Peak Creek, although the land was not granted. On November 16, 1762, he married Rachel Ramsey, and about 1770 moved to Peak Creek of New River in present Pulaski County, Virginia. On December 19, 1783, with his brother James, he bought 400 acres where they lived on Happy Creek, a branch of Woods (now New) River near Peak Mountain. He also received several land grants from Virginia; on November 15, 1783, 140 acres on Miller’s Run of Peak Creek; on July 10, 1784, 250 acres in the same area; and on October 1, 1784, 25 acres on Cove Creek of Buchanan Creek of New River.

On April 1, 1814 Joseph gave his son, Joseph, Jr., 600 acres on Peak Creek. Nothing more is known of Joseph.[1]