"John Root, son of Stephen, grandson of John, b. in 1685, at Farmington, Ct. In 1707 he removed to that part of Kensington which is now Berlin, and which was then called the Great Swamp. He was one of the first settlers in that place, his deed being dated 1703. He commenced clearing a farm at that place which was a very difficult operation at that time, the ground being thickly covered with bushes and grape vines. He cleared nearly all the land that has been cleared on the farm to the present time. He built his barn in 1706, and his house in 1712, both of which are now standing on the old homestead in Berlin. He m. July 10,1716, Margaret, dau. of Col. John [Asahel] Strong of Farmington, Ct. He was a strong man, though not so tall as most of the family, being but five feet and ten inches in height, but he was strongly built, with large shoulders and hands. He was never sick until his last illness, which was an inflammation on the lungs, and which terminated his life in three days. He was prominent in church affairs, being a member of the church; in 1720 he was collector of the rate bill for the minister's support, and the same year he was one of the committee of three chosen by the Great Swamp parish for the purpose of erecting a church edifice. He d. Nov. 16, 1764, æ. 80. She d. April 20, 1751, æ. 60. Their monuments are in the old burying ground."
