Samuel Rockwell of Providence, Rhode Island; Hampton, Virginia; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Middletown, Connecticut.

Samuel Rockwell was born on October 13, 1722, in Middletown, Connecticut. His parents were Joseph (1697-1757) and Savanna (Yeomans) Rockwell, who married in Middletown on December 21, 1721. Samuel is thought to have trained as a clockmaker in Providence, Rhode Island. His training would have started about 1735, and he would have become a journeyman clockmaker by 1742. Samuel worked in Providence until 1752. A tall clock is known signed with the place location of Providence. In 1752, he moved to Hampton, Virginia, making him the first clockmaker known in the Virginia colony. He advertised in October of 1752 in the Virginia Gazette that he made, sold, and cleaned clocks and watches in his shop in Hampton. He also had clocks for sale in Mr. Finnie's shop in Williamsburg. Samuel worked here until 1755. During this time, he also began trading goods such as coffee, sugar, and molasses in New York City. He also owned a sloop of 60 tons. In 1752, he moved to Philadelphia, PA. In 1762, he moved back to Middletown, Conn. In 1763, he married Abigail Goodwin Johnson, the widow of Daniel Johnson. Samuel died in Middletown in 1773, insolvent.