Discover the Legacy of Our Founding Families

The Founding Families of Rock Hall

Honoring the pioneers whose lives, work, and legacies shaped the heart of our village.

Explore the Families

The Families Who Built Rock Hall

The families who first purchased land in Rock Hall were more than names on paper — they were pioneers who transformed new beginnings into lives of resilience, faith, and community. Their choices laid the foundations of a village that still endures today.

This directory records those beginnings. Each entry preserves essential details — when families acquired their plots, the work they pursued, and the kinship ties they formed — offering a window into the earliest chapters of Rock Hall’s history.

Founding Families Directory

 

 

 

 

 

Alleyne

Anthony Alleyne was 37 when he bought his plot in 1841. Members of the family remain associated with the village.

 

Blenman, W.

William Blenman, 42, a petty proprietor, married to Mary Bellah, 36. They came from Mount Wilton plantation and bought their spot in October 1840.

Clarke, C.

Celia Clarke, 56, a petty proprietor, was married to Thomas. They originated from Mount Wilton Plantation and bought their Rock Hall plot in December 1840.

Colthrust

Arriving in 1842, John Colthrust, 35, a driver/ superintendent, was married to Nancy Ann Grandison, 29. They originated from St. Joseph and Arch Hall, respectively. Their descendants remain in the village.

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Downes

Robert Downes, 66, was a labourer and married to Hagar Jane, 39. Both came from Mount Wilton Plantation and settled in Rock Hall in October 1840. Their descendants remain in the village.

Beard

Edward Beard, a blacksmith, aged 25, bought his plot in 1841. Members remain in the area.

Carmichael

Edward Carmichael, a 44-year-old carpenter, was married to Dinah, 48.  Arriving from Mount Wilton Plantation, bought their plot in December 1844.

Clarke, F.

Farrier Clarke, a carpenter, was married to Mary Jane, 24. They originated from Dunscombe and bought their Rock Hall plot in 1843.

Conliffe

Bella Conliffe, a single female from Dunscombe, seems to be the first to buy a Rock Hall plot in September 1840. Her descendants remain in the village.

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Drayton

John Drayton settled in Rock Hall in 1841.

Blenman, T.

Thomas Blenman, married to Nancy Lemon, both aged 36 and from Mount Wilton Plantation, bought their plot in 1840.

Carrington

James W. Carrington, an agriculturalist, was married to Venus, 48. They bought their Rock Hall spot in December 1844.

Clarke, T.

Thomas Clarke, a labourer, was married to Hester. They originated from Mount Wilton and bought their Rock Hall plot in 1840.

Dorant

Philip Dorant, a labourer, married to Sabina, settled in Rock Hall in October 1842.

Durant

Richard Durant settled in Rock Hall in 1841.

 

Gaskin

Originally from Mount Wilton Plantation, Adam Gaskin married Fanny Ben. She was 38 at the time of their settlement in 1841.
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Grimes

Isaac Grimes, 39, a petty proprietor, bought his plot in November 1840.
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Headley

Corydon Headley, a carpenter/shopkeeper, 23, married Mary Elizabeth, 27. They settled in December 1841.
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Jackson

James Jackson bought his plot in November 1840.
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Jones

At the time of settlement in October 1842, Prince W. Jones, a mechanic, 50, was married to Sarah Suttle. 
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King

Joseph King, the Superintendent of Roads, bought his plot in May 1841. Once a prominent family, the Kings continue to reside in the village.
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Kirton

John Kirton was married to Maria when they settled in 1841.
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Lashley

At the time of settlement in 1840, Sammy Lashley, a 55-year-old driver/ superintendent, was married to Elizabeth Wilson, 73.
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Lewis

The northern gully, Lewis Gully, bears the family’s name. At the time of settlement in 1841, Edward H. Lashley, 47, a carpenter, married Lucy Ben, 36. Both were from Mount Wilton Plantation.
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Lynch

Originally from Mount Wilton Plantation, James Lynch, a shoemaker/ schoolmaster, married Harriett Frances. Both were 41 at the time of their settlement in 1842.
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Lynch

Married to Elizabeth, 26 at the time of settlement in October 1840, Richard Lynch was a 38-year-old carpenter/ shopkeeper.
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Maynard

Chelsea Maynard, 52, was married to Nanny Lucy at the time of settlement in 1840. Both came from Mount Wilton Plantation.

Maynard

George Maynard, 22, settled in 1840.

Murphy

When they settled in 1840, Richard Murphy, 75, a labourer, was married to Betty Lewis, 52. Both came from Mount Wilton Plantation.

Pinder

When they settled in 1840, Richard Murphy was married to Crinda, 39. Both came from Mount Wilton Plantation.

Rawlins

Jubbah Rawlins, 49 was single when he bought his plot in 1840. The family name continues on in the village.

 

 

 

Seale

When they settled in 1840, John Seale, a petty proprietor, was married to Sally Lewis, 50. Both came from Mount Wilton Plantation.
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Shockness

Edward Shockness, 60, a carpenter, settled in 1840.
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Thorpe

Grig Thorpe settled in 1841.
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Trotman

James Trotman, 40, was married to Miah Nell, 54, when they settled around 1840.  Both came from Mount Wilton Plantation.
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Warner

Henry Warner was a labourer who married Hannah Lewis. Both were 40 when they settled in 1840. They came from Mount Wilton Plantation.
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Wilson

James Wilson was married to Sarah when they came to Rock Hall.
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Worrell

Alexander Worrell was a labourer who married Susanna, 36, when they settled in November 1840. They came from Mount Wilton Plantation.
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Add Your Chapter to Rock Hall’s Story

The Founding Families laid the first stones of our village.
Their names, land, and work still anchor Rock Hall’s beginnings.

But our story is still being written.
Your memories, photographs, and family ties
carry the history forward.

By sharing them, you help keep our collective memory alive.

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