I do not know who Joels ancestors were unfortunately . Much of the information I have comes from The Estes family genealogies. Joel married Mary Estes In Dutchess County NY. She is the daughter of Benjamin Estes and Phebe Borland. The Estes were from Rhode Island. They lived in Dutchess County and Jefferson County NY. Joel and Mary moved to Duanesburgh NY in about 1800. They farmed in Palatine NY for more than a decade. The Estes say Joel was born in Kent CT in 1775. I have not been able to place him there There were a lot of Thomsons in Litchfield County CT. Joels son Silas married Jane ann Canniff in Canada. Two of Joels grandsons learned the printers trade in Canada and eventually settled in Auburn NY. One of them Charles James Estes Thomson is my great grandfather. I will check the census in those areas for Benjamin and John Thom(p)sons. Good luck in your search!