When Samuel Lay laid out New Street (now Pratt Street) in Essex, the first home to be built on the street was that of his son-in-law, George Harrington. Around that time, the Essex ropewalk, in which Harrington was involved, located south of the street, but was soon moved to a new location just to the north. The Harrington House, built around 1815, was later owned by sea captain John Rockwell, who was in the navy during the Civil War.
George Harrington House (1815)
I live in this house and there is an error in your history. The house was later owned by Captain Jabez Pratt not John Rockwell.
Actually, you are both right!! We are direct descendants of Capt. John E. Rockwell, and he sold the house to Capt. Jabez Pratt.