It will take some time for this site to grow. With the help of others, it'll go faster. Send me details, and I'll add them sooner than I might have. I'll add your name to the acknowledgement list below and, at your request, keep you on file as a contact person for potential descendants who want to learn more.
For brevity, I have not included source notes and details of research behind some of the Rockwell connections to previous and subsequent residences. Contact me and I'll provide more information, including putting you in touch with other researchers who have investigated the family in question.
Acknowledgements: Thanks go out to my longtime correspondents who have already provided clues and theories on the migrations of some of these lines: Gaylord Rockwell of Killingworth, Conn.; Mark Rockwell of Fairfax Station, VA; Weeden R. Nichols of Hays, Kansas; Lyle Rockwell of Athens, PA; and John W. Rockwell of Austin, Minnesota. Thanks also go to subsequent contributors: [YOUR NAME HERE if you contribute data and want the glory!]
Updated: July 12, 2002
Colebrook, Litchfield Co.: Settled in 1766-1767 by emigrants from Windsor, including Samuel Rockwell, son Joseph, and cousin x. The family prospered here and in adjacent Berkshire Co., Mass.
Coventry, Tolland Co.: The first settlers arrived around 1700, with a larger number coming in the spring of 1709, esp. from Hartford, Conn., and Northampton, Mass.
Danbury, Fairfield Co.: Settled 1684. Various Rockwells lived here at different times, including brothers Simeon and Joseph (from Norwalk), and Jabez (from Ridgefield) in the 18th century. The burning of the congregational church of Danbury during the British raid in 1777 probably resulted in the loss of precious documentation on some of the Rockwells here, but some details were preserved in the records of other towns, including the Ridgebury church records in northern Ridgefield.
Durham, Middlesex Co.: Ezra and Jemima (Talcott) Rockwell settled here. Son Timothy and family moved to Vermont and then Otsego Co., NY, in the 1790s and were at Hartwick, NY in the 1810s.
East Windsor, Hartford Co.: A large territory east of the Connecticut River was originally part of the town of Windsor. When first opened for settlement, descendants of William of Windsor were among the first to cross over. They settled mainly in the area that later became South Windsor. East Windsor became a separate town in 1768 and was split into South Windsor and Scantic.
Middletown, Middlesex Co.: Settled starting in 1650, primarily by families from Hartford, Wethersfield, Massachusetts, and England. Joseph Rockwell, son of William's son John, settled here.
New London, New London Co.: Settled in 1646 and years following. Josiah Rockwell appears here in x before migrating to the frontier community of Norwich. Where he came from is undocumented, but speculation that he was a younger relative of William suggests that he may have grown up in Windsor. Some descendants re-settled in New London, including Merrit, whose son Simeon Gaylord Rockwell went to Rome, Pennsylvania.
Norwalk, Fairfield Co.: Purchased from the natives in 1640, it was settled gradually before being granted town status in 1649. Jonathan, Thomas, and Joseph Rockwell, sons of John of Stamford, settled here in their early adult lives. Jonathan and Thomas went to Ridgefield, while Joseph died here in 1712, leaving children who gave rise to a sizeable clan, particularly in the northern part of town which became Wilton.
Norwich, New London Co.: Settled in 1660 by the congregation of Rev. James Fitch of Saybrook. Josiah Rockwell was among the early migrants. He and a neighbor were the only civilian Connecticut casualties of King Philip's War, being killed in January of 1676 by Indians fleeing the Great Swamp Fight to the southeast. Josiah is suspected to be a relative of William Rockwell of Windsor, Conn., and may have grown up there, though no documents exist to confirm this. His descendants live across the country and in Canada.
Preston, New London Co.: Josiah of Norwich was among the first to occupy land on the east side of the Shetucket (now Thames) River, in the area that became Preston. It was settled in 1686 and became a town in 1698 Several of his descendants lived here.
Ridgefield, Fairfield Co.: Purchased in 1708 and settled during the following years, primarily by Norwalk families. Jonathan and Thomas Rockwell were among the first settlers, and their families were prominent there for 200 years. In 1769 its second Congregational parish was organized in the remote north end of the town, and named Ridgebury.
Somers, Tolland Co.: Originally part of Springfield and then Enfield, Mass., it was first settled ca. 1706 and became a parish in 1726 and incorporation as a town in 1734. Boundary disputes between Massachusetts and Connecticut eventually led to the transfer of Somers and Enfield to the latter colony in 1749. Jonathan and Margaret (Bush) Rockwell, previously of Windsor, lived here prior to moving to Cornwallis, Nova Scotia.
South Windsor, Hartford Co.: Separated from East Windsor in x. Samuel Rockwell married Sarah Sheldon here in 1775, and he ran the Podunk Mill.
Stafford, Tolland Co.: Settled in 1719 by 12 families, including Benjamin Rockwell of East Windsor.
Stamford, Fairfield Co.: Settled in the summer of 1641 by emigrants from the Connecticut Valley, primarily Wethersfield. John Rockwell appears there in December of 1641, receiving 2 acres in the second allotment of land. He later married Elizabeth Weed, daughter of Jonas Weed, one of the Wethersfield founders of Stamford. He moved to Rye, NY in 1669.
Stonington, New London Co.: Settled in 1658, it was claimed at first by Massachusetts until Connecticut obtained a royal charter which confirmed a more easterly boundary in 1662. Elisha Rockwell (prob. son of John, son of Josiah of Norwich) married x here in x and had a sizable family, including son Amasa, who went to Peru, Berkshire Co., Mass.
Warren, Litchfield Co.: Settled as a part of Kent, it was incorporated in 1786. Simeon Rockwell and son Joseph settled here. Simeon, native of Norwalk, had previously lived at Danbury and somewhere in "the Oblong," in Dutchess Co., NY. Simmons Rockwell came from Weston, Fairfield Co., CT, before moving to Roxbury, Delaware Co., NY.
Weston, Fairfield Co.: Settled as part of Fairfield from 1738 on, it became the second Congregational parish of that town and named Norfield. Jonas and Mary (Higgins) Rockwell came here ca. 1770 from nearby Wilton, and after his first wife's death, Jonas (then a Lieutenant in the local Revolutionary militia) married Elizabeth Monroe. She had a son named Simmons, who took the Rockwell surname, thus founding the fourth line of Rockwells to come out of Connecticut. Simmons moved as an adult to Warren, Litchfield Co., and then into upstate New York.
Wilton, Fairfield Co.: Settled as a part of Norwalk, it became its second Congregational parish in 1726 and a separate town in 1802. Descendants of Joseph Rockwell, son of John of Stamford, appear frequently in the church and land records. From here, Uriah Rockwell went to Butternuts, Otsego Co., NY, and Joseph and Sarah (Mead) Rockwell migrated to Ballston, Saratoga County, NY.
Windsor, Hartford Co.: Founded 1635-36 by a group from Dorchester, Mass. William Rockwell moved here soon, perhaps accompanied by his brother John, who had left England in 1635. They are found in Windsor in 1640. William died that year, leaving a family which became prominent in the area and later spread across the country. John's daughters also have a large progeny under their husbands' surnames (Watson and Sanford, plus further distaff lines). And John may be the father of John of Stamford.
Woodbury, Litchfield Co.: First settled 1672 and made a town in 1674. Thomas and Tabitha (Sanford) Rockwell settled here sometime after their 1766 marriage at Redding. Thomas d. c1677 and widow married Abijah Dan. From here son Thomas appears to have moved to Greenville, Greene Co., NY, where Abijah Dan is his neighbor in 1800.
Dorchester, Suffolk Co.: Founded 1630 by the passengers of the ship Mary and John. They were mostly from the English West Country. Among them was William Rockwell, native of Fitzhead, co. Somerset, and the first of the surname in America. He served as one of two deacons in the first church of Dorchester. William moved to Windsor, CT ca. 1637.
Lanesborough, Berkshire Co.: John and Hannah (Scott) Rockwell settled here in x, coming from Ridgefield, as did John's brother Elijah and a cousin Josiah. Members of the Colebrook Rockwells had some dealings up this way as well.
Lenox, Berkshire Co.: Thomas and Ruth (Whitlock) Rockwell came here from Ridgefield, and later moved to Cincinnatus,Cortland County, NY, with sons Thomas and Ezra.
Peru, Berkshire Co.: Originally named Partridgefield when settled in x, it was renamed in x. Amasa Rockwell came ca. x from Stonington, New London Co., Conn.
Pittsfield, Berkshire Co.: Julius Rockwell, of the Colebrook, Conn., clan, settled here for a time, before moving north to Adams, Mass. He was a prominent attorney. During the same time, another Julius (middle initial P) also lived here, son of Amasa Rockwell of nearby Peru.
Southwick, Hampden Co.: John Rockwell of Colebrook bought land here in 1791, died here in 1823, leaving wife Abigail, son Uzal.
Stockbridge, Berkshire Co.: Best known as the residence of Norman Rockwell in the 20th century, there were other Rockwell families here earlier, including Abner Rockwell from Ridgefield, who then moved to Union, NY.
West Springfield, Hampden Co.: David Rockwell of Windsor bought land here in 1738-39, died here in 1789, ae. 80. Wife Margaret, son John, a minuteman who died 1777.
Augusta, Oneida Co.: Thomas Rockwell joined the Congregational Church here in 1814, transferring from the church in Clinton. He died 1833, wife Mary d. 1849. Sons Charles and Eurotus moved to Jefferson Co., WI, c1837; son Lewis was at nearby Stockbridge in 1840 with mother Mary, then went to Wisconsin.
Ballston, Saratoga Co.: Joseph and Sarah (Mead) Rockwell came here from Wilton, Fairfield Co., CT
Bloomfield, Monroe Co.: In 1820 part of Ontario Co., Caleb Rockwell was here for the census. Soon moved to Mendon, Monroe Co. Probably came from Ridgefield, CT.
Bristol, Canandaigua Co.: Ezra Rockwell was here in 1821 when a judgment for unpaid debts was ruled against him by the estate of his father, John Rockwell, who died at Barkhamsted, Litchfield Co., CT, in 1820.
Butternuts, Otsego Co.: Jabez Rockwell came from Ridgefield, and Uriah Rockwell from Wilton, Conn., ca. 1804.
Cato, Cayuga Co.: Stephen, son of Joseph and Sarah (Mead) Rockwell of Ballston and Malta, Saratoga Co., NY, settled here.
Champion, Jefferson Co.: Silas Rockwell (1760-1843), native of Ridgefield CT, died here.
Chili, Monroe Co.: Harvey Rockwell (1789-1874), son of Isaac, came from South Salem.
Cincinnatus, Cortland Co.: Thomas and Ruth (Whitlock) Rockwell moved here from Lenox, Mass. by 1800. Sons Thomas and Ezra settled in nearby Solon (now Taylor).
Duanesburgh, Schenectady Co.: James Rockwell moved here ca. x from Norwich, founding a sizable branch of the Josiah line.
Eaton, Madison Co.: William S. and Azubia (Severance) Rockwell lived here, as did the children of his brother John Milton Rockwell. William and John were sons of Josiah and Mary (Hungerford) Rockwell of Lanesborough, Mass.
Enfield, Tompkins Co.: Reuben & Urania Rockwell were here by 1817, perhaps coming from Galway, Saratoga Co.
Galway, Saratoga Co.: Reuben Rockwell in 1810 census, came from North Salem, NY. He may have moved to Enfield, NY.
Greenville, Greene Co.: Thomas Rockwell was here by 1800 census and was member of local Congregational Church. Probably that one that lived briefly in Paris, Oneida Co., attending Clinton Cong. Church, and then moved to Augusta, Oneida Co.
Hartwick, Otsego Co.: Timothy Rockwell and sons Timothy and Chester settled here in the 1810s; then the two Timothys went to Pike, Wyoming Co., NY Timothy Sr. was born in 1757 at Durham, CT
LeRoy, Genesee Co.: A John Rockwell was here by 1833, when he sold land at Barkhamsted, Litchfield Co., CT, which he had inherited from his father John, who died at Barkhamsted in 1832. His brother, Simeon Seymour Rockwell, was there in 1849 when he sold his share in the John Rockwell estate. They were listed in the 1850 census, as is brother Lyman, and their mother Jemima.
Lysander, Onondaga Co.: Thomas Rockwell (b. 1777 at South Salem) came here from Troy and lived here and in nearby Onondaga Township prior to moving to Jackson Co., Mich.
Malta, Saratoga Co.: Joseph and Sarah (Mead) Rockwell are buried here, having previously lived at Ballstown after migrating up from Wilton, Conn. Their son Jeremy went to Hadley, Samuel went to Watertown, Jefferson Co., and son Philo lived in Lewis County and Utica.
Mendon, Monroe Co.: Caleb Rockwell was here by 1830, previously in Bloomfield, Ontario Co., in 1820 census.
Milton, Saratoga Co.: Stephen Rockwell moved here from Southeast, NY, but finally settled in nearby Providence.
Mina, Chattauqua Co.: Simmons Rockwell, previously of Roxbury, NY, settled here and died.
Mount Morris, Livingston Co.: Nathan H. Rockwell was here in 1835 when he sold a share of the estate of John Rockwell of Barkhamsted, Litchfield Co., CT.
Orange, Schuyler Co.: Settled as Jersey Township and renamed Orange in x, it became part of Schuyler County when it was established in 1854. Uriah Rockwell and several sons moved here in the 1830s from Butternuts, Otsego Co. Uriah and wife Hannah are buried at the village of Monterey.
Pike, Wyoming Co.: Timothy and Betsy Rockwell were here by 1817, soon followed by Timothy's parents, Timothy and Lydia--all from Hartwick, NY
Providence, Saratoga Co.: Stephen Rockwell, previously of Southeast and Milton, NY settled here with son Jonah, who later died at Antwerp, Jefferson Co., NY
Roxbury, Delaware Co.: Simmons Rockwell came here from Warren, Litchfield Co., before removing to Mina, NY, in x.
Rye, Westchester Co.: John Rockwell came here from Stamford, CT in 1669, and died in 1673. His sons settled in Norwalk, Conn.
Salem, Westchester Co.: see South Salem.
Solon, Cortland Co.: see Taylor.
South Salem, Westchester Co.: The northeastern end of Westchester County includes a long borderland known as the Oblong: a strip of land ceded (unwillingly) by Connecticut to New York in 1684, though not always recognized by Connecticut residents. Many of the settlers in this region, including Rockwells, came from nearby Ridgefield and Danbury, just across the Connecticut border. The original town of Salem has been divided up into smaller towns, including South Salem and Lewisboro. The old Salem church records, in what is now South Salem, have been preserved and published. Rockwells figured prominently in the life of the church in the late 18th and early 19th century.
Benjamin and Rebecca (Wilson) Rockwell came from Ridgefield in 1752. Their son Nathan was a Revolutionary soldier an New York State legislator, as well as a deacon in the Salem church, and his monument is one of the most elaborate in the church graveyard.
Southeast, Putnam Co.: Stephen Rockwell settled here ca. 1759, staying until about 1780, when he went to Milton and Providence, Saratoga Co., NY.
Stockbridge, Madison Co., NY: Thomas Rockwell of Augusta, just to the east, developed land on East Hill here, growing hops. Son Lewis was here for 1840 census, then moved to Wisconsin.
Taylor, Cortland Co.: Settled as Solon and renamed Taylor. Brothers Thomas and Ezra, sons of Thomas of Cincinnatus settled here. After 1846, Ezra and son Chauncy moved to Ulster, Pennsylvania, where he died in 1859; son Ezra Jr. went to Morris, Illinois. Thomas (d. 1874) had a son John who went to Harrison, Penn., and a son Hiram who died in Solon in 1835. Hiram's son x went to Wisconsin.
Troy, Rensselaer Co.: Thomas and Sally (Tylee or Tyler) Rockwell lived here prior to moving to Onondaga Co., NY, and later Cleveland, Ohio, and Jackson Co., Michigan. Thomas was born 1777 at South Salem, NY.
Union, Broome Co.: Abner & Deborah Rockwell settled here before 1800, coming from Stockbridge, Mass. Son Abner and daughter Nancy (Moody, wife of Nehemiah) later moved to McKean Co., PA.
Utica, Oneida Co.: Thomas Rockwell settled here before 1820.
West Turin, Lewis Co.: Joshua & Rhoda Rockwell came from Middletown, Conn. Son Caleb went to Plymouth, Ashtabula Co., Ohio and Elijah went to Kingsville, Ashtabula Co., Ohio
Kentville, Kings Co.: Daniel Rockwell (Josiah line) came from Norwich after his wife Mindwell (Bliss) died in 1767.
Elyria, Lorain Co.: Joseph Webster Rockwell came here from South Salem, NY.
Guilford, Medina Co.: Thomas Rockwell, who died here, has an unknown ancestry, but his birthplace has been variously given as MA, PA, and Scotland. The DNA evidence...
Kingsville, Ashtabula Co.: Elijah Rockwell came here from West Turin, NY, d. 1871.
Liberty, Jackson Co.: Solomon Rockwell, grandson of James of Madison, settled here in the 1870s.
Madison, Scioto Co.: James S. Rockwell (b. 1763) came here from Wellsville, Chemung Co., NY, prob. the son of Jonathan and Hannah (Bennett) Rockwell of that place. His descendants settled in other towns in Scioto County and adjacent counties.
Miller, Knox Co.: William and Mary (Shimer) Rockwell were here by the 1850 census. The birthplaces of various family members are MD and PA, so they're suspected of being connected to the Robert Rockhold or Asa Rockwell lines.
Plymouth, Ashtabula, Co.: Caleb and Sarah (Watrous) Rockwell settled here. Caleb was b. 1779 in Middletown, Conn.
Erie, Erie Co.: Juab (or Joab) Rockwell, b. 1768 in East Windsor, Conn. died here in 1823.
Forest Lake, Susquehanna Co.: Timothy Rockwell (b. 1757 to Ezra Rockwell in E. Windsor) died here in 1831.
Honesdale, Wayne Co.: Jabez Rockwell (1761-1847), Rev. War veteran and native of Ridgefield, CT, previously lived in Milford, Pike Co., PA
Leonardsville, Carbon Co.: Jabez Rockwell (b. 1761 in Ridgefield) died here in 1847, probably while visiting a relative; he lived at Honesdale
LeRaysville, Bradford Co.: Seth Parsons Rockwell came here from East Windsor as one of the first settlers, and brother James Barber Rockwell (1763-1850) soon followed.
Rome, Bradford Co.: Simeon Gaylord Rockwell came from New London, Conn. by 1817.
Troy, Bradford Co.: Silas Rockwell, son of Jeremiah of Cornwall, Vt., moved here ca. 1814. His uncle Samuel also lived here as well as nearby Canton.
Highgate, Franklin Co.: Adonijah Rockwell was here in the 1810 census, perhaps previously from Lebanon, CT, and Colchester.
Shoreham, Addison Co.: Samuel and Hannah (Lassell) Rockwell had several children here. Samuel was born in Ridgefield, Conn. and lived at Lanesborough, Mass. and Cornwall, Vt. while growing up. Later his family would move to Canton and Troy in Bradford Co., Penn.
South Hero, Grand Isle Co.: Jabez and Deborah (Bellows) Rockwell settled here after the Revolution.