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 August 17, 2026
“On January 24, 1774, the town published the Rochester Resolves describing in some detail the town’s feelings regarding British action which were contrary to the rights of its [then] loyal citizens resident in the colonies. Squire John Plummer led the meeting that asserted:
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- The freedom and loyalty of Crown subjects
- Loyalty to the Crown
- A Committee of Correspondence is formed to assure ready communication with brethren committees
- Initial committee leaders included:
- Hon. John Plummer
- Squire John McDuffee
- Ebenezer Tebbits
- Daniel Wingate
The role of this committee would be called to order in the matter of Nicholas Austin.”
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.
