The Rockwood (Rocket) Lineage

Richard¹ was one of the first settlers of Dorchester and perhaps a brother of John of Dorchester. He was in Dorchester as early as 1635, but removed to Braintree in 1643. He married Agnes, the widow (Savage says daughter instead of widow.) of Zachary Bicknell of Weymouth, the emigrant ancestor of the American Bicknells, in 1636 or early in 1637. She had come in the ship "Assurance" from Gravesend, Kent, Eng., in the spring of 1635, together with her husband, Zachary Bicknell, their son John, and a servant. She was then 37 years of age. They belonged to a company of 106 emigrants, mainly from the counties of Dorset and Somerset, under the pastoral care of Rev. Joseph Hull. Agnes died July 9, 1643.

The name of the family was frequently spelled Rocket or Rockett, though it appears that the family wrote the name Rockwood.

John², only child of Richard¹ and Agnes, was born Dec. 1, 1641. He was one of the earliest proprietors of Mendon, but was driven away under great losses by the savages during King Philip's War in 1675-6. He returned in 1678-9, purchased land from James Albee, and settled on Muddy Brook, Mendon. He prospered and became an extensive landowner.

Trial³, daughter of John², was born in 1676 or 1677. She married Jonathan Hayward. Her husband survived her and married (2) Grace ______.

Continuation. - The William Hayward Lineage

• Sources

  • Savage, Genealogical Dictionary;

  • Ballou's History of Milford, pp. 805, 996;

  • A Memorial of a Respectable and Respected Family and especially of Joshua Bicknell, compiled by Thomas Williams Bicknell, pp. 21 and xvi. Boston, 1880.

  • Hist. of Dorchester, pp. 39, 80.

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