Joseph Boon was born in Johnston County, North Carolina in about 1752. He served as colonel of the Johnston County Regiment of the North Carolina Militia from 1777 to 1778 and in March 1778 he officiated the marriage ceremony between one of his soldiers, John Davis, and Mourning Pilkinton. He later served in the North Carolina House in 1781, 1782, 1784, and 1808, and in the North Carolina Senate in 1808. He died in Johnston County in about November 1836.