Matthew Griswold (governor)
Encyclopedia
Matthew Griswold was the 2nd Governor of Connecticut from 1784 to 1786. He also served as Lieutenant Governor and Chief Justice
of the Superior Court
, during the American Revolution
(1769–1784).
, the eldest son of John Griswold, politician and landowner, and Hannah (Lee) Griswold. He was the fourth generation of his family to live in Connecticut; the family had emigrated there from England
in 1639. They were one of the wealthiest and most respected families in Lyme; several Griswolds served in public office in Connecticut over the generations.
Griswold studied law while in his mid-twenties, and opened a legal practice in Lyme in 1742. He married then Deputy Governor Roger Wolcott
's daughter Ursula on November 10, 1743, and had seven children with her. Their son, Roger Griswold
, later also became Governor of Connecticut.
when Governor Thomas Fitch was required to take an oath to support it. Griswold became a member of the Sons of Liberty
, who publicly protested the Stamp Act.
In each of the years from 1769 to 1784, he was elected Deputy Governor of Connecticut. In that position, he also served as Chief Justice of the Superior Court. During this time, he was concerned about education, and was a member of a committee to improved teaching at Yale College
. Yale awarded him a Doctor of Laws in 1779, in appreciation.
Griswold was a strong supporter of the colonists' cause during the American Revolution
. He served on many committees that oversaw troop movements, military appointments, provisions, and defense; he especially focused on defending American ships and the Connecticut shoreline. According to family legend, Griswold twice evaded British soldiers as they searched for him, an important target, in his own home.
in 1786. In 1788, as delegate from Lyme, he became president of Connecticut's convention to ratify the new United States Constitution
.
Later in 1788, Ursula Griswold died, and Matthew Griswold retired from public life. He continued to manage his family estate, Black Hall, until his death on April 28, 1799.
His brother-in-law was Rev Jonathan Parsons
, father of General Samuel Holden Parsons
.
His sister Sarah Griswold was the mother of James Hillhouse
.
Chief Justice
The Chief Justice in many countries is the name for the presiding member of a Supreme Court in Commonwealth or other countries with an Anglo-Saxon justice system based on English common law, such as the Supreme Court of Canada, the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the Court of Final Appeal of...
of the Superior Court
Superior court
In common law systems, a superior court is a court of general competence which typically has unlimited jurisdiction with regard to civil and criminal legal cases...
, during the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
(1769–1784).
Early life
He was born in Lyme, ConnecticutLyme, Connecticut
Lyme is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 2,016 at the 2000 census. Lyme and its neighboring town Old Lyme are the namesake for Lyme disease.-Geography:...
, the eldest son of John Griswold, politician and landowner, and Hannah (Lee) Griswold. He was the fourth generation of his family to live in Connecticut; the family had emigrated there from England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1639. They were one of the wealthiest and most respected families in Lyme; several Griswolds served in public office in Connecticut over the generations.
Griswold studied law while in his mid-twenties, and opened a legal practice in Lyme in 1742. He married then Deputy Governor Roger Wolcott
Roger Wolcott (Connecticut)
Roger Wolcott was an American weaver and statesman from Windsor, Connecticut. He served as colonial governor of Connecticut from 1751 to 1754.Roger was born to Simon and Martha Wolcott in Windsor, Connecticut...
's daughter Ursula on November 10, 1743, and had seven children with her. Their son, Roger Griswold
Roger Griswold
Roger Griswold was the 22nd Governor of Connecticut and a member of the US House of Representatives, serving as a Federalist....
, later also became Governor of Connecticut.
The revolution
Griswold was elected to the Connecticut General Assembly in 1748, and from 1751 to 1759. He was then elected to the Council of Assistants, serving from 1759 to 1769. Griswold and eight other Council-members demonstrated opposition to the Stamp Act of 1765Stamp Act 1765
The Stamp Act 1765 was a direct tax imposed by the British Parliament specifically on the colonies of British America. The act required that many printed materials in the colonies be produced on stamped paper produced in London, carrying an embossed revenue stamp...
when Governor Thomas Fitch was required to take an oath to support it. Griswold became a member of the Sons of Liberty
Sons of Liberty
The Sons of Liberty were a political group made up of American patriots that originated in the pre-independence North American British colonies. The group was formed to protect the rights of the colonists from the usurpations by the British government after 1766...
, who publicly protested the Stamp Act.
In each of the years from 1769 to 1784, he was elected Deputy Governor of Connecticut. In that position, he also served as Chief Justice of the Superior Court. During this time, he was concerned about education, and was a member of a committee to improved teaching at Yale College
Yale College
Yale College was the official name of Yale University from 1718 to 1887. The name now refers to the undergraduate part of the university. Each undergraduate student is assigned to one of 12 residential colleges.-Residential colleges:...
. Yale awarded him a Doctor of Laws in 1779, in appreciation.
Griswold was a strong supporter of the colonists' cause during the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. He served on many committees that oversaw troop movements, military appointments, provisions, and defense; he especially focused on defending American ships and the Connecticut shoreline. According to family legend, Griswold twice evaded British soldiers as they searched for him, an important target, in his own home.
Governorship and later years
After the end of the war, Griswold was chosen to be Governor in 1784 by the General Assembly, after he failed to receive a majority of votes in the regular election. He was re-elected in 1785, but then lost to Samuel HuntingtonSamuel Huntington (statesman)
Samuel Huntington was a jurist, statesman, and Patriot in the American Revolution from Connecticut. As a delegate to the Continental Congress, he signed the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation...
in 1786. In 1788, as delegate from Lyme, he became president of Connecticut's convention to ratify the new United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
.
Later in 1788, Ursula Griswold died, and Matthew Griswold retired from public life. He continued to manage his family estate, Black Hall, until his death on April 28, 1799.
His brother-in-law was Rev Jonathan Parsons
Jonathan Parsons
Jonathan Parsons was a Christian New England clergyman during the late colonial period and a supporter of the American Revolution. Born in West Springfield, Massachusetts, he was the youngest son of Ebenezer Parsons and Margaret Marshfield of Springfield. Though intended for an artisan career,...
, father of General Samuel Holden Parsons
Samuel Holden Parsons
Samuel Holden Parsons was an American lawyer, jurist, and military leader.Parsons was born in Lyme, Connecticut, the son of Jonathan Parsons and Phoebe Parsons...
.
His sister Sarah Griswold was the mother of James Hillhouse
James Hillhouse
James Hillhouse was an American lawyer, real estate developer, and politician from New Haven, Connecticut. He represented Connecticut in both the U.S. House and Senate...
.