By 1847 Joseph and Jane had seven children. A daughter, Jane, was born in 1846 and the entire family had settled in Upland. Jane's older siblings worked at the cotton mill or attended daily classes in the newly built school, courtesy of Mr. John Crozier, who presented the school free of charge to the residents of the district. In 1850 John Dalton was born - the last of Joseph's children, according to records found. Jane would have been 45 years old when John was born. In that era any pregnancy would probably have been a bit of a hardship. Imagine poor Jane having to endure a pregnancy in her mid forties with seven other children to take care of. Her oldest children, Ann and Isaac, were 19 and 17 years old respectively, and in all probability were a help in running the household.

Chester and Upland were both thriving communities in the 1850s. Joseph and Jane almost certainly shopped at the local stores acquiring their provisions, newspapers and clothing. There were many choices for dry goods and groceries such as Ellis Smedley on Market Street, Lewis Larkin on Broad & Upland Streets, W.C. Gray on Edgemont & James Street and George Wunderlich located on Market Street. Edward Minshall was listed as a grocer and provision dealer, located on Market & Work Streets - he also sold musical instruments. Mr. Frederick Balduff operated a Confectionary and Bakery shop and George Baker & Company on Market Street advertised they "accepted country produce taken in exchange for goods." Other merchants and businesses included John Atkinson, a Draper and Tailor, Mrs. Jane Flavill's Millinery Stores which sold an extensive assortment of bonnets, ribbons and trimmings and Parker's Photographic Temple of Art. Hinkson and Baker sold lumber and coal on Edgemont Street, as did J & CD Pennell who was also located on Edgemont Street; Stephen Cloud Jr. sold boots and shoes on James Street and the principal pharmacist was Mr. Mortimer Bickley.

For correspondence items and news the choices were J. Greig on Market Street and J. Wade Price for books and stationary. Joseph Cummins had Bibles, prayer books, daily and weekly papers. The newspapers available in the mid and late 1800's were The Upland Union and The Delaware County Republican which was published on Friday morning. The Republican offered a subscription for $2 per annum.

If Joseph and Jane had the money and the luxury of dining out, they may have eaten at Robin Hood and Little John's restaurant on the wharf. Proprietor John Hawley Jr advertised in the Chester Directory with a claim to have oysters in every style as well as shad, clams and fish dishes. The restaurant was located on the Delaware River and adjoined the center market where fresh produce was sold by local vendors.

The Dalton family attended services at the Upland Baptist Church, which was established in May of 1852. Of the original members, only 12 were of the Baptist faith but it is reported 8 people converted. It is unknown if Joseph and Jane were among the original 20 members and their religious affiliation, prior to settling in the United States, has not been ascertained.

In 1853 their oldest daughter, Ann, married and moved west with her new husband. Evidently they stayed in touch by letters as a photo of Ann, taken when she was over 50 years of age, was mixed in with her brother Isaac's photographs. Since it is known that she made a life for her new family in Kansas and Missouri, and never came back to live in Pennsylvania, she must have corresponded with her family, mailing them at least one photograph.

1861 brought many changes for the Dalton family and well as their friends and neighbors in Upland. Three of Joseph's sons were involved in the war efforts. The younger son Joseph, at 21 years of age, joined the Army of the United States and served in Company I, 3rd Calvary of Pennsylvania. With the conflicts of the Civil War approaching closer to home, his older sons, Isaac and William, then 30 and 25 respectively, were united in the Upland Volunteers two years later. Joseph Senior was in his late 50's during the war and still working at the cotton mill. He was also the Postmaster of Upland, continuing to serve the community in this capacity until his health wavered. After Joseph's retirement in 1862, from the position of weaver at the mill, he remained in the employment of the Crozier family as a night watchman. By 1870 Joseph and Jane were both 64 years old. They lived in Upland, and had the pleasure of seeing most of their children married and settled, living nearby. Joseph continued to work as a watchman at the mill, leaving at 6:00 p.m. and returning at 6:00 in the morning accompanied by his dog. The value of their personal estate was estimated at $175 at this time.

On the 13th of December in 1878 at the age of 73, Jane Dalton died peacefully at her Upland home. Jane and Joseph had been married for 47 years. A newspaper article described her death as follows: "She passed away as a sheaf of grain fully ripe. Few women have spent a more peaceful and useful Christian life. She sweetly fell asleep, as far as the writer knows, without an enemy, honored and loved….."

The article goes on to reveal Joseph's retirement from his position as night watchman, due to the "the infirmities of advancing years……and a great sorrow has overtaken him" at the loss of his lifelong companion. Joseph, lived thirteen months longer than Jane. He died 18 January 1880 in Upland and is buried beside his wife in the old section of the Upland Baptist Church.