Jonathan Rockwell

Data from "A Genealogy of the families of John Rockwell of Stamford, CT 1641 and Ralph Keller of Hartford, CT 1638" by James Boughton, dated 1903, p 8.

JONATHAN ROCKWELL probably born at Stamford Conn about 1665, married at Norwalk about 1703 ABIGAIL CANFIELD daughter of Samuel Canfield and subsequently moved to Ridgefield and probably died there, he June 19 1731, she July 8 1734. The first mention of Jonathan Rockwell found in the Norwalk records according to Hall's History page 83 is in a list of valuations of estates of the inhabitants dated June 3 1687, in which his estate is valued at 50 pounds.

---

Jonathan was born in Norwalk in 1665 (circa) the oldest of three sons born to John and Elizabeth (Weed) Rockwell. In 1687, he was "admitted" as an inhabitant of Norwalk, meaning he was at least age 21. In that same year, he was accorded a four acre parcel of land in Drum Hill, which later became known as Wilton, Connecticut. Jonathan and 24 other men from Norwalk purchased approximately 22,000 acres of land from the Ramapo Indians, negotiating with their Sachem Catoonah. The price was "100 pounds.". The deed was signed by Chief Catoonah, Gootquas, Wawkamawwee, Woquacomick, Mahke, Narenka, Waspahchain, Tawpornick, Cawwehorin. "This above Written Bill of Sale is Acknowledged by ye Grantors this 30th Day of September 1708. Before me, Samuel Hait, Justice of Peace."

The Ramapoo moved further west and settled in the Bedford, New York area.

The Connecticut General Assembly met in Hartford in May of 1709 and recognized the estimate the number of inhabitants.

The original main settlement of the town was located where the current main street exists -- between East and High Ridge. The 25 settlers divided the town into 25 properties and a lottery devcided who received which parcel. Jonathan Rockwell drew parcel 3 and on July 9, 1711, Thomas Rockwell, borther of Jonathan, purchased parcel 17 from Benjamin Hickok. The name "Ridgefield" was officially used in the minutes of a meeting of the proprietors of Ridgefield in 1712.

The Connecticut General Assembly decided in May, 1714, that Ridgefield livestock would be branded with an "upside down heart." Each person in town would add an additional mark to distinguish his livestock. "Jonathan Rockwell's Ear mark is an half penny on ye fore side each ear -- Recorded Jany 7, 1714."

He was a Proprietor and when he died, "his estate was valued in 1687 at fifty pounds ... which proves him a man of substance."