Rock (John Swett) is born in Salem, New Jersey.

The son of free, black parents, John Swett Rock becomes a teacher and dentist, and, after graduating from the American Medical College, a doctor. He marries Catherine Bowers, moves to Boston in 1853, and lives at 81 – 83 Phillips Street. Forced to give up his medical practice due to declining health, he studies law with Robert Morris, is admitted to the Suffolk County Bar in 1861, and appears in a case before the Supreme Court in 1865.* Rock dies in his home on Phillips Street on December 3, 1866.