In celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, and in collaboration with the Office of Mayor Chuck Grassie, Rochester Colonial Moments, a historical series highlighting notable moments from Rochester’s past, is brought to you by Patrick O. Connelly, Rochester, New Hampshire, historian.
Monday September 7, 2026
“Insight into town leadership in the colonial period may be provided by reviewing the number of annual terms served by key individuals. Beginning in 1737, through 1799, the tenure of most senior positions of influence in the town were as follows:
Town meeting Moderator
Timothy Roberts between 1737 and 1754 served 9 terms
John McDuffee between 1761 and 1799 served 9 terms
John Plummer between 1764 and 1794 served 17 terms
James Knowles between 1765 and 1789 served 10 terms
Town Selectman
John Bickford between 1737 and 1759 served 9 terms
Isaac Libbey between 1747 and 1765 served 9 terms
Jonathan Dame between 1751 and 1771 served 9 terms
Jabez Dame between 1770 and 1791 served 12 terms
The family names may be found in Rochester today and by no means lessens the contribution of other families that provided significant town guidance throughout the period. As we look back on the history of this resilient frontier town, it is important to understand the contribution of all families that settled and developed the town.”
Patrick O. Connelly is a historian, researcher, and author whose work focuses extensively on the colonial history and development of Rochester, New Hampshire. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with degrees in History and French, Connelly has spent decades researching Rochester’s earliest records, maps, land divisions, and settlement history.
Connelly is the author of two comprehensive works on Rochester’s colonial history: Rochester, New Hampshire: Territory to Township, 1620–1799 and In Their Own Words: Transcription and Research of the Original Records of Colonial Rochester, New Hampshire, 1722–1799. Both books are available through his website at RNHCC.com.
