rockwell was born in lebanon, connecticut, october 6, 1809, the second son of joseph and sarah (huntington) rockwell. he entered yale college in 1829, but left before the end of freshman year, and pined the next class at the beginning of their sophomore year. after graduating in 1834, he taught in monson, massachusetts ,which lasted until 1835 and was then induced to go to fayetteville, n c, as assistant to the rev. simeon colton, formerly of monson, in the donaldson academy, of which he had recently taken charge.