joseph wilmer was born in swedesboro, new jersey, united states, in 1812, the son of the rev. simon (himself son of the rev. simon and uncle of bishop richard hooker wilmer) and rebecca (frisby) wilmer. he attended the university of virginia, where he graduated in 1831; kenyon college, where he graduated in 1833; and virginia theological seminary, where he graduated in 1834. in 1857, he received the degree of d.d. from union college in schenectady, new york. wilmer was ordained a deacon in the episcopal church on july 10, 1834, in st. paul's episcopal church in alexandria, virginia, by bishop richard channing moore of virginia. he was ordained a priest by the same bishop at st. paul's episcopal church in petersburg, virginia, in may 1838. he married helen skipwith, the daughter of humburston and sarah (nevison) skipwith, with whom he had six children.