Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

Connecticut since the early half of the
seventeenth century.
The patronymic, Griswold, originated
in the early centuries, the name being
recorded, for the most part, in England.
The derivation is not readily determinate,
but following the customary presumption
in regard to most other names of ancient
origin, it may be asserted that the family
of Griswold included others whose names
were somewhat allied. Therefore, it is
found that, anterior to the fourteenth century,
the name was rendered as Greswold
and Gryswould. A branch, bearing the
patronymic of Greswold, was established
in genteel state at Solihull, in Warwick-
shire, prior to 1400. They were of. the
family of John Greswold, who, in the
fourteenth century, came from Kenil-
worth, and married the daughter of
Henry Hughford, of Huddersly Hall in
Solihull, and being of the gentry, the fam-
ily was privileged to maintain a coat-of-
arms. The immediate antecedents of the
progenitors of the various Griswold fami-
lies of Connecticut have not been identified.
Two brothers, Edward and Matthew
Griswold, however, it can be
authentically stated, came to Windsor,
Connecticut, from Kenilworth, England,
and that Matthew Griswold was largely
instrumental in effecting the settlement
of Lyme, Connecticut. Later, another of
the family, Michael Griswold, who was
born in 1610, came from England and
settled in Wethersfield. Both Matthew
and Michael Griswold established lines
which, in the subsequent generations,
brought the family name into prominence
in reference to matters concerning vari-
ous sections of Connecticut.
Michael Griswold was a landowner in
Wethersfield at an early date, possibly in
1640, or soon after. He paid a fence tax
in 1647, and in 1659 was the only freeman
of the name of Griswold in the town.
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A mason by trade, Michael Griswold was
elected to many administrative offices in
the community, at different times having
been constable, assessor and appraiser of
lands. He died September 26, 1684, leaving
estate to the value of six hundred and
twenty-eight pounds, one shilling, indicating
thereby an industrious, thrifty and
prudent habit of life. He married Ann
, some records giving her patronymic
as Adams.
(The oldest house now standing in the
town of Wethersfield, is that of Michael
Griswold, Jr., situated in Back Lane ; it
is asserted that the house was erected in
1730, or somewhat before that time. The
house is in a good state of preservation,
and most of the interior woodwork is that
which was originally built in, and the
stone steps and stone walk leading from
the gate to the main hall door are those
laid when the building was first erected.
The property has remained in unbroken
possession of the descendants of the
Michael Griswold who, in 1730, or before,
caused its erection).
Jacob Griswold, son of Michael and
Ann (Adams?) Griswold, was born April
15, 1660, and died July 22, 1737. On December
10, 1685, he married Mary, born
October 11, 1656, daughter of Robert
Francis, freeman of Wethersfield since
1645. She died April 25, 1735, in her
seventy-first year. Jacob Griswold was
probably the pioneer settler of the locality
now designated Griswoldville. Record
states that he inherited land there from
his father, but presumably his father had
not developed that portion of his landed
interests. Jacob Griswold also acquired
land by purchase. He was a member of
the First Congregational Church of
Wethersfield.
Major Josiah Griswold, son of Jacob
and Mary (Francis) Griswold, was born
January 4, 1700-01. He attained "consid-