In the 1790 census, there is a Joseph RASEY living on Isle La Motte, Chittenden [now Grand Isle Coo., VT. He is a man living alone, leaving open the question as to whether he is young and unmarried, or widowed, or just separated from his family. What is the current consensus on his identity?

This Joseph appears to be the father of James RASEY/RACEY/RACY (1792-1883), who married Clarissa HINDS, had many descendants, and appears in these censuses:

1820 - VT: Grand Isle Co.: Alburgh
1830 - NY: Clinton Co.: Plattsburgh
1840 - NY: Franklin Co.: Chateaugay [now Burke]
1850 - NY: Franklin Co.: Burke
1860 - NY: Franklin Co.: Bellmont
1870 - can't find
1880 - NY: Franklin Co.: Bellmont

Unfortunately, there are no RACEY's living near James (other than his own married children) who might give us a clue as to who his siblings might be (and, thus, who his parents were). The job is not made easier by the fact that these locations are near the U.S. border, and there was obviously movement back and forth into Quebec. (Difficult for me because my access to Canadian records is limited and my experience with them just about zip.)

Some have said the Joseph RASEY of Isle La Motte in 1790 is Joseph RASEY II, son of Joseph RASEY I & Mary HOLLON. The data are not inconsistent with this view, but has anyone proven they are the same man? Are there any living male patrilineal descendants of James RASEY/RACEY/RACY out there willing to join the RASEY DNA project and be tested? (I'll split the cost.)

Diana