Joseph the Bellmaker was the father of Mariel Gullwhacker, and as his name indicated, skilled in the bell crafting trade. During a voyage to deliver a bell to Lord Rawnblade Widestripe of Salamandastron, his ship was captured by sea rats under the command of Gabool the Wild. The violent corsair enslaved Joseph, and eventually defenestrated the mouse at his Terramort Isle fortress. However, the bellmaker survived the fall and founded the Terramort Resistance Against Gabool (Trag), which eventually defeated Gabool. During his time as the leader of Trag, he led a boarding party of approximately 20 mice who commandeered the Seatalon; he personally slew its captain, Catseyes, thus freeing Dandin and Durry Quill, as well as the rest of the slaves on board.
Joseph traveled to Redwall Abbey where he lived for many seasons until Martin the Warrior, Mariel, and Dandin appeared to him in a dream and directed him to Southsward, along with Hon Rosie, Rufe Brush, Foremole, and Durry Quill. The group befriended Finnbarr Galedeep on the journey. They captured the Pearl Queen and sailed to Southsward together. After the defeat of Urgan Nagru, the southern kingdom was restored to its rightful leader, Gael Squirrelking. Joseph stayed in Southsward with his friends Benjy, Wincey, and Figgs to help restore order and craft a bell in honor of those who died in the battle.
Joseph the Bellmaker was well liked by many creatures, and usually the most observant and reserved in a group. He was the first of the crew to realize that the Pearl Queen had sailed into the Roaringburn.
Later, Joseph was given the titles "King's Adviser", "Honorary Commander to the Army of Southsward", and "Lord Warden of Castle Floret".
Not to be confused with Brother Joseph.