Joseph Ryerson (28 February 1761 – 9 August 1854) was a United Empire Loyalist, Lieutenant in the Prince of Wales American Volunteers in the American Revolutionary War, a Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding the First Regiments of the Norfolk Militia in the War of 1812 and father of Egerton Ryerson.

[4] Ryerson had earned the respect of his comrades, one of which, Peter Redner, of the Bay Quinté, described him as "a man of daring intrepidity, and a great favourite in his company".

"[5] At the conclusion of the war, Ryerson who held allegiance to the British Crown, could not remain in his home state of New Jersey.

[4] When the War of 1812 broke out, Ryerson was tapped by Isaac Brock to be a Lieutenant Colonel Commanding the First Regiments of the Norfolk Militia.

Ryerson, his brother Samuel and his sons, George, William and John, also served to defend Canada from the Americans.

In 1830, Joseph tendered his resignation not out of lack of desire, but citing reasons of ill health and advanced age (he was 69 years old).