The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1923-05-31
CLIMPSES OF HISTORY
OF ROCKWELL FAMILY

The many friends of Mrs. Cynthia
d. King, who love and rever her mem
ory, will be interested in a few para
graphs taken from a history of the
Rockwell family which appeared in
the Napanee (Canada) Beaver, of
August, 81, 1906. Mrs. King was a
member of the Rockwell family. Lack
of space prevents printing the en-
tire article which in part follows:
"The name Rockwell is of Norman
origin. being derived from a town
in Normandy called Rockville The
first of the family was called of
Rockville or de Rocheville.'
History of the family begins with
Sir Ralph de Rockville, who accom-
panied the Empress Maud into Eng
land when she claimed the throne of
hat realm during the Norman con-
quest. 1866. Sir Ralph ultimately
Joined King Henry II, and for valor
and patriotism was granted three
knights fees of land in the county
of York. Three knights fees of
land is as much as three yoke of oxen
can pillow in one season. This state
ment would gain somewhat in inter
est if more definite"
In America Since 1880
William Rockwell, with his family,
seeking religious freedom, came to
America in 1880 and settled near
Dorchester. Massachusetts,, where ne
was a leader in the church and
of the prominent men of the town
in civic affairs.
"Deacon William is considered the
ancestor of all the Rockwells n
America, a family we'll represented
in eyery state and in Canada.
"In every way the Rockwells have
acted well their parts. Among officers
of the Revolution were Lieut.. Thad-
deus and Ensign John, both OF Con-
necticut. Thaddeus was an elder IN
the Presbyterian church OF South
Salem after the close of the war.
In broad-skirted coat and long waist
coat. with dignified and venerable
bearing, he used always to lead the
worship of the congregation in the !
absence of the minister.
Routs Crowd Single-Handed
"Many are the thrilling tales of
bravery and physical proves handed
down in the family. One has to do y
with Eli Rockwell, a green Manhattan
boy of remarkable strength who saved
the day on many occasions, notably
upon one memorable night when.
single handed he defied a crowd. 1t u
seems that one of his n%eighbors, a
had flooded his mill dam far
Their than he had any right. The
neighbors tried in every way to in
duce him to lower his dam, but to no T
purpose. Finally they sent him word
that unless he did so they would tear
it away. and on one night they as
to put this threat into execu-
ton. They found the dam guarded r
by the miller and his friends armed
with firearms and cudgels, and threat
ening to shoot the first man who put
foot on the works. This baffled the
crowd and they we're about to dis =
purse when Mr.. Rockwell cried out:
"FYou just hold my hat and coat
and I'll take the fort alone
"He then went down and said to
the chief: You villains, the records
have it so and this must be a faith r.
full chronicle. Would you shoot a
man without any arms? Pile up
arms and I will clean you out in
i've minutes
"They agreed to this invitation. :,
The doughty hero of this tale took ~
he first by the collar and threw him
nto the pond, and repeated the opera
ion until four we're ~foundering in
he water and the others fled. The
lam was not disturbed and the miller =,
nended his ways. -
Rockwell characteristics are fear
essness, integrity, honesty, fair
ealing, with intelligent and effective
ischarge of every duty, either to God
r man; strong and active sympahties
Or the poor and oppressed of every r
lass; friends to all measures of pub
enterprise. Retentive memories
18th exactness of information are al
0 characteristics. Of one it is re-
He had a mind sitting well
oised, with much ~steadiness, not r.
asily thrown from his equanimity."