Person:Richard Rockwood (3)

"Richard Rockwood (written also Rocket and Rockett) was an immigrant from England to America in the year 1630. He came with the colony that settled at Dorchester, Massachusetts, the first of whom came over in 1630, when no less than seventeen vessels crossed the ocean bringing settlers to this new location. The next batch of settlers to arrive came in 1633. In the town records of Dorchester, among the earliest entries that have been preserved, is one under date of December 3, 1633, to-wit: "Ordered that Richard Rocket is to have an acre additional to his home lott in consideration of his having removed his Pale (Fence) for a publick way to be laid through his lott." This is evidence that he was one of the first to arrive."

"It is supposed that his wife died on the passage, as the only person that accompanied him was his son Nicholas, a young child; and it is also shown that he married in 1636 the widow Bricknell of Dorchester."

link RICHARD ROCKET (Rockwood/Rockwell) was grandson of widow Honor Rockwell of Dorchester, Dorset, England who made a will Jul. 19, 1637, proved Jan. 26, 1637. She mentions six of my grand children, children of son Richard Rockwell deceased, Thomas, Joseph, Nathaniel, Samuel, Deberath, and Mary, 20 shillings apiece at age. To my son Roger Rockwell's children 10 shillings apiece at age. I give to all my grand children in New England, both sons and daughters, Richard Rockwell, William Rockwell, & John Rockwell 12 pence apiece at one and twenty years. To my daughter Jane Farthinge, and to Abigail daughter of my son Roger Rockwell who has the rest and is executor. [Note the tree shown here shows the wrong grandmother!]

Inventory of Richard Rockwood late of Braintry deceased, 7:6:1660, £38/3/4. Paid out of his estate to his "dater" in yarne, pt of a cowe etc. £3/8/: To goodman Belcher, for rent of land £1/6/8; To Dormon Dorneing for "bords" £1/5/; To Francis Gold 15/; To Richard Thayer to satisfie a cow that was killed; pr. Jo. Rockwood £4/13/ etc. Elder Kingsley & Ann Rockett deposed Nov. 15, 1660.

Administration on Anne Rockwood granted to John Taylor that Married Phoebe daughter of sd. Anne on behalfe of his wife and such others as it may concerne. Inventory of goods left by ye widow Rockwood late of Braintree at her decease, Mar. 1, 1664, £21/12/6. Apprised by Francis Elliott, Caleb Hubard. John Tailor deposed to it, Apr. 29, 1664.

RICHARD ROCKET (Rockwood/Rockwell) is first mentioned Dec. 2, 1633 in Dorchester records when he was given "an acre addition to his home lott in consideration of his removing his pale (picket fence) in regard a publicke way is to be through his lott". This suggests his lot had been granted previously and perhaps recorded before the year 1633 on the pages now missing from the earliest Dorchester records.
He was probably related to the John Rockett who received land in Neponset Neck Aug. 5, 1633 and whose lot was transferred Sep. 1, 1634 to Robert Elway.
Eight acres more were granted to Richard Rocket Feb. 10, 1634 (5) and again in 1635 (6).
On Feb. 24, 1639 (40) the town of Boston granted to Richard Rockett "land for 5 heads and 20 acres more, there being in all 40 acres", in present Braintree. RICHARD ROCKET or ROCKWOOD Married shortly before Mar. 9, 1636/7 Agnes, widow of Zachary Bicknell of Weymouth at which time the General Court decreed that the sale of Bicknell's house and land must be confirmed by Bicknell's son when he became of age.
Zachary Bicknell ae.45 with wife Agnes, ae.27 and son John ae.11 had come over in 1635 with Rev. Joseph Hull's Company from Weymouth England.
"Agnes wife of Richard Rockett dyed July 9, 1643 at Braintree" (Boston Returns).
He Married 2nd - Anne ____ who died Mar. 1, 1664 a widow, at Braintree as shown by probate records. Richard Rockwood died before Aug. 7, 1660 when the inventory of his estate was taken. The inventory mentions a daughter, and son John Rockwood. Administration on the widow Anne Rockwood was given to John Taylor who Married her daughter Phebe.

Child of Richard & Agnes born at Braintree (Boston Returns)
+ i. John, Dec. 10, 1641.

Child of Richard & Anne
ii. Phoebe, m. before 1664, John Taylor.

link 9 Mar 1636/7: Bond: William Reade, haveing bought the house & 20 acres of land at Weymouth vnfenced, for 7^£ 13^s 4^d, W^eth was Zachaiy Bicknels, (after Bicknels death,) of Rich^rd Rocket & his wife, is to have the same sale confirmed by the child when hee cometh to age, or else the child to alow all such costs as the Court shall thinke meet.

link Nicholas Rockwood was the son of Richard of Braintree...

link [This source would indicate that Robert Charles Anderson left him out of The Great Migration in error as he had arrived before 1634 and possibly did arrive with Rev. Hull as stated. Entry from Dorchester town records Dec 29, 1634]: "It is graunted vnto Hugh Rosciter and Richard Rocket to have each of them 8 arces of land on the West side of the brooke adjoyning to M^r Richard Roscite^rs ground, as farr forth as the Plantation hath any right to dispose of it.

link [This is another clue as to the origin of the family: see land grant of Hugh Rossiter and Richard Rocket]: Edward³ Rossiter m/2 St. Mary's Magdalene, Taunton, 13 Jun 1661 Joan Rockett