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, June 1, 2026
“From 1722 to 1728, despite persistent conflict throughout the region during Dummer’s (Lovewell’s) War, the new plantation continued to grow, attracting potential settlers and experiencing little local conflict. In December 1728 and January 1729, the first settled family, led by Timothy Roberts, purchased two quarter shares of a full share of First Division home lot No. 99 , totaling 30 acres, from Samuel Twombly of Dover, cooper, and John Twombly of Dover, yeoman. This detail was shared with the Rev. Joseph Haven, fourth minister of the Congregational Church of Rochester by residents of the town in 1792 and included in his letter to family friend Rev. Jeremy Belknap, for inclusion in his monumental History of New Hampshire.”

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.