| Notes |
- RESEARCH_NOTES:
1. FHL book 929.242 G868f "The Greswold Family, 12 Generations in England," researched and edited by Robert L. and Esther G. French, comp. by Coralee Griswold [Wethersfeld, CT; 1999]. The authors standardize spelling as Greswold for England and Griswold for America. As of 2012, it appears that this book is the most current evolution of the Griswold ancestry and includes all previous research up to 1999 when it was published. (It also supersedes the author's own work in 1990 for the later English generations). See notes in this database of the original Griswold for a more detailed explanation of the various sources and a bibliography of previously published books that the authors include in this genealogical compilation.
"Edward12 Griswold (George11, Roger10, John9, John8, John7, John6, John5, William4, Richard3, Ralph2, John1) was christened 26 Jul 1607 in Wooton Wawen, Warwickshire, England. In lieu of a will, Edward on Christmas Day, 1672, signed a conditional inheritance deed of his property to his son John, who was to pay certain legacies; but Edward did not die until 30 Aug 1691, in Killingworth, Middlesex, Connecticut, at the age of 84, and was buried in the Indian River Cemetery in Killingworth, Middlesex, Connecticut. He married (1) Margaret (___) about 1628 in England. ["New England Genealogy," Vol. 1, p.250, cites her surname as HICKS, but the Robert Hicks family was already in Plymouth as of 1621. Records indicate Margaret and Edward were married in England after this date.] She was born about 1609. Margaret died 23 Aug 1670 in Killingworth, Middlesex, Connecticut, and was buried in the cemetery behind the Congregational Church, in Killingworth (now Clinton), Middlesex, Connecticut. Her stone being the oldest marked, "M.G., 1670."
When the Rev. Ephraim Huit arrived in Windsor, Connecticut with his congregation about 17 Aug 1639 to assist the Rev. John Warham, Edward and Margaret Griswold, their four children: Francis, George, John and Sarah; and Edward's brother Matthew, were with the company. ["Savage's Genealogical Dictionary," Vol. 2, p. 316.] In his own deposition, dated 15 May 1684, Edward stated that he was then aged about seventy-seven years and that, "about the year 1639 Mr. William Whiting, Dec'd, was Undertaker [financial sponsor] for a shipp in England, in which Shipp I came to New England." [Ferris, "Dawes-Gates Ancestral Lines"; Gates & Allied Families; Vol. II; p. 399.] Mr. Huit had been pastor at Knowle and Wroxall, Warwickshire, England. A writer of note upon religious subjects and a powerful preacher of the Puritan faith, he was censured for his non-conformity and silenced by the Bishop of Worcester. This no doubt was the cause of his moving to New England with the company he organized, of which both Edward and Matthew were members.
Edward speedily became prominent in the affairs of the new community and was frequently mentioned in colonial records. He served as deputy to the General Court from 18 Aug 1658 to 14 Mar 1660 and again from 15 May 1662 to 11 Mar 1663. Edward served repeatedly on juries, at least two of which, in 1651 and 1662, deliberated on witchcraft cases and brought in verdicts of guilty. In 1659 he was one of the men from Windsor to build the fort at Springfield for Mr. Pynchon. He also served as Justice of the Peace.
Although he was granted land at Poquonoc he did not move there until after the title of the Indians had been fully extinguished in 1642. He was resident there in 1649 with two other families, John Bartlett and Thomas Holcomb. His home stood near the highway at the top of the hill, and contained 29-1/2 acres bounded mostly south and west by Stony Brook and east by the river. His sons George and Joseph received the homestead when he moved to Hammonassett in 1663 with his son John and two daughters, Hannah Westover and Deborah Buell, with their families.
The present Clinton, Connecticut is the original Killingworth; Main Street is the identical ground where the first settlers took their home lots. These were surveyed in 1663 by Byron Rossiter of Guiliford. Edward was one of the first settlers and doubtless suggested the name from Kenilworth Parish in England. He was the most prominent man in the new settlement and must be given full credit for first organizing this community. He was its first deputy to the General Court. He, with his two sons-in-law, were recorded as freeman in 1669.
Edward was instrumental in organizing the first church and was its first deacon. He frequently served on important civil matters; his services, counsel and guidance evidently much sought. He also served on the committee to establish a Latin school at New London.
Ancient land records on file at the office of the Secretary of State, Hartford, show land grants in favor of Edward: one of 200 acres; another of 100 acres given by the town of Killingworth. He showed the spirit of those early English settlers to accumulate large land holdings. They had 11 children:
i. Francis Griswold [male], born about 1629, died 1 Oct 1671.
ii. Sarah Griswold, christened 29 Jan 1631, died 6 Nov 1715.
iii. George Griswold, christened 19 May 1633, died 3 Sep 1704.
iv. John Griswold, christened 10 Jan 1635 in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, died 1642 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut.
v. Lydia/Liddia Griswold, christened 17 Nov 1637 in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England, died about 1637 in England, and was buried 1637 in England.
vi. Ann (Hannah) Griswold, christened 19 Jun 1642, died 3 May 1714.
vii. Mary Griswold, born 5 Oct 1644, died 1690.
viii. Deborah Griswold, christened 28 Jun 1646, died 7 Feb 1717.
ix. Joseph Griswold, born 12 Mar 1647, died 14 Nov 1716.
x. Samuel Griswold, christened 18 Nov 1649 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, died 6 Jul 1672 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut.
xi. John Griswold, christened 1 Aug 1652, died 7 Aug 1717.
Edward had 1 stepchild:
xii. Mary Bemis, born 18 Nov 1654, died 27 Oct 1679.
Edward married (2) Sarah Diamond before 25 Dec 1672. She was born about 1632 in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England. She was the daughter of John Diamond and Rebecca (___). No children. Sarah also married (1) John Bemis."
2. The book "The Griswold Family, the First Five Generations in America," comp. and ed. by Esther Griswold French and Robert Lewis French, May 1990, printed by The Griswold Family Association, 116 Garden St., Wethersfield, CT, 06109, pages 6-24. The authors note that their book updates Vol. II, "The Griswold Family England - America," which was published 50 years ago:
"Francis (son of Edward). According to the records of Salisbury, depositions by two sons of George [Francis's brother] state that the oldest son of their grandfather Edward was always reputed to be Francis. Further evidence is given in the deed of gift by Edward when he named his grandchildren by Frrancis, then his other sons in order of their birth. Since Francis was married about 1652, he would have been born about 1629. The History of New London by Caulkins indentifies him erroneously as Francis of Cambridge, Mass.
No record has been found to identify his wife. The claim that she was a daughter of Thomas Tracy is disproved in 'Griswold Family of America' II:20 (1935 ed.). She may possibly have been the daughter of Stephen and Tryphosa (Lee) Tracy of Plymouth b. ca. 1631 (Boston Transcript 7219).
Francis was a man of capacity and enterprise. He first settled in Windsor and Poquonoc, then in Saybrook, and finally in Norwich. He is listed as one of the first proprietors of Norwich although few records exist before 1660. One of these is a notice of a town meeting 7 Jan 1655/6 at which Francis was present. He served as deputy 1660-1671; was appointed on the Court of Commission in 1661; and was Lieutenant of the trainband. He is listed as Lieutenant just before King Philip's War.
He died in October 1671 and was buried with his wife in the old Post-Gager Cemetery, over which there was a controversy between the town authorities and the friends of history who desired this cemetery to be left undisturbed.
An interesting letter written by Benjamin Brewster of Norwich, grandson of Elder William Brewster of Plymouth, to his brother-in-law Daniel Wetherill, concerning Francis shows that people in early times were as keen on business as those of later date. This letter is quoted in full in GFA II:21.
Children, first four recorded in Saybrook, the latter in Norwich:
Sarah, b. 28 Mar 1653.
Joseph, b. 4 Jun 1655; d. July 1655.
Mary, b. 26 Aug 1656.
Hannah, b. 11 Dec 1658.
Deborah, b. 6 May 1661.
Lydia, b. June 1663; d. Apr 1664.
Samuel, b. 16 Sep 1665.
Margaret, b. Oct 1668.
Lydia, b. Oct 1671.
References: Records of Windsor, Saybrook, Norwich, Conn.; Stiles" Ancient Windsor II:351; History of Franklin, Conn.; Joseph Parsons Family History p. 119; Conn. Colonial Dames Register; Conn. Colonty Records I, II; Nash: Fifty Puritan Ancestors p. 102; TAG; Caulkins: History of New London pp. 276-7; Bodge: Soldiers in King Philip's War; Stratton: Plymouth Colony (1986); Griswold Family Papers of Jessie F. Wheeler, NYS Archives GV 11911 Box 7 Folder 6."
3. Henry R. Stiles, "The History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut," 1892, v. 2, pp. 346-353:
"Edward, born in Eng. about 1607; m. (1) 1630, in Eng., Margaret ___, who died 23 Aug 1670; her gravestone, inscribed "M.G., 1670,' is known as the oldest monument in Cong. Graveyard, Clinton (formerly Killingworth), Conn.; he m. (2) 1732 or '3, Sara (wid. of James) Bemis of New London.
Mr. Edward Griswold came to America at the time of the second visit of Mr. George Fenwick, at which date, also, came a large number of new settlers to the Conn. settlement. It was a time when many of the gentry of England and wealthy persons connected with the Warwick patent were intending removel hither; but the breaking out of the Scotch Rebellion compelled King Charles to call a Parliament, and they stayed at home to carry on their struggle with the King and Archbishop Laud. Mr. Griswold undoubtedly came in the interest of some of these patentees. He was attorney for Mr. St. Nicholas of Warwickshire, who had a house built in Windsor, and also a tract of land 'impaled' (fenced), as had Sir Richard Saltonstall. The Rev. Ephraim Huit, who came, also, in 1639, was from the same parish, as, also, the Wyllys family, who settled at Hartford.
His first location in Windsor is not known; but he had (see p. 157, Vol. I) a grant of land in Poquonok, to which he removed, in 1649, accompanied by a few families, who there found an 'outpost' settlement. His residence at P. was on the site of the present dwelling of the heirs of the late Eliphalet S. Ladd, and who, on the female side, are Griswold descendants. The spot is a beautiful knoll which overlooks the brook on the west, the Tunxis River on the south and east. As soon as he had fairly established his home, he began to take that active part in public matters which was natural to a man of his character. In 1650 he was a deputy from W. to the General Court, and continued, with the exception of one session, to represent the town until the reception of the charter from King Charles. At this time he was the principal promoter of a new settlement authorized by the court, called Hommonoscett, which lay immediatly west of Saybrook, and to which, about 1663, he removed with his younger children, deeding to his sons, George and Joseph, who remained behind, his W. lands, reserving a small life annuity therefrom. The settlement was organized as a town in 1667 and received, probably from him the name of his old English home Kenilworth, afterwards corrupted to Killingworth, and now known as Clinton. He was the first deputy from K., and continued to be its magistrate and representative for more than 20 years, 1662 to 1678-89, and was succeeded by his son John.
The 'Col. Rec.' show him to have been a very active, influential menmber of the legislature - pre-eminently one of those men who, in the first half-century, did so much to make the small colony of Connecticut so important a factor in American affairs. As a member of Sessions, he had the pleasure of meeting with his brother Matthew and his one son Francis; and there has, since that time, rarely been an Assembly of Conn. in which some of their lineal descendants have not been members. He was frequently a commisisioner; and, in 1678, was on a committee for establishing a Latin school in New London, and was first deacon of the K. church. He died at K., it is said, in 1691, in 84th year. Children (all by 1st wife; *Kenilworth Engl. Rec.):
A. Sarah, * b. 1631.
B. George, * born in Eng., 1633. Rec'd (with his bro. Joseph) his father's W. lands, when the latter rem. to Killingworth; was also a large purchaser of lands from the Indians and an eminently respected citizen; freeman in 1654; he d. 3 Sep 1704; m. Mary (dau. Thos. Holcomb), 3 Oct 1665, who d. 4 Apr 1708.
C. Francis, b. in Eng., 1635. Was made a freeman 1657, and, before his father left W., he had rem. to Saybrook, and thence to Norwich, Conn., of which he was a first proprietor and an active citizen, and which town he rep. in Gen Court from 1661 inclusive to 1671; he died Oct 1671. wife's name unknown.
D. Liddia, * born Eng., 1637.
E. Sarah, * b. in Eng., 1638; m. (1) Samuel (s. William, Sen) Phelps, 10 Nov 1650; (2) 21 July 1670, Nathaniel (s. Humphrey) Pinney.
F. Ann, b. Windsor; bp. 19 Jun 1642 - O.C.R. and 'Col. Rec.'
G. Mary, b. W.; bp. 13 Oct 1644; m. Timothy (s. William, Sen) Phelps, 19 Mar 1661.
H. Deborah, b. and bp. W., 28 Jun 1646 (O.C.R.); m. Samuel (s. William) Buell, 1662; removed to Killingworth.
I. Joseph, b. and bp. 12 Mar 1647. - O.C.R. - m. Mary (dau. of Samuel) Gaylord, 14 Jul 1670 (O.C.R.); res. W.; d 14 Nov 1716; will dated 6 Sep 1716 (Htfd. co. Prob.); his wife contrib. (the only G. that did so) to Conn. Fund for Relief of Poor of other Colonies, 1676, the sum of 2s. 6d. - O.R.
J. Samuel, b. and bp. 18 Nov 1649 (O.C.R.); d. 6 Jul 1672.
H. John, b. and bp. 1 Aug 1652. - O.C.R. - m. (1) Mary ___, who d. 27 Oct 1679; m. (2) Bathsheba ___, who d. 19 Mar 1736; rem. from W. to Kill., prob with his father, and there d. 7 Aug 1717; was a man of property, intelligence, and influence; deacon in ch.; invent. presented 7 Oct 1717, gave lands to sons Samuel, Joseph, Benjamin, and Walter."
4. Henry R. Stiles, "The History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut," 1892, v. 2, p 351: "Children:
A. Sarah, b. 28 Mar 1653; m. Rob't Chapman of Saybrook, 1670; d. 7 Apr 1692; had 9 ch.
B. Joseph, b. 4 Jun 1655; 'd. the last of July, 1655.'
C. Mary, b. 26 Aug 1656; m. (1) Jonath. Tracy, 11 Jul 1672; (2) Eleazer Jewett, 3 Sep 1717; d. 18 Sep 1723.
D. Hannah, b. 11 Dec 1660 (?), m. Wm. Clark, of S., 7 Mar 1677/8.
E. Deborah, b. May 1661; m. Jonath. Crane, 19 Dec 1678.
F. Lydia, b. Jun 1663; d. 1664.
G. Samuel, b. 16 Sep 1665, m. (1) Susannah Huntington, 10 Dec 1685, who d. 6 Mar 1727; (2) Hannah ___, who d. 25 Feb 1752; he d. at Norwich, Conn., 2 Dec 1740.
H. Margaret, b. Oct 1668; m. Thos Buckingham (s. of Rev. Thos.) of S., 16 Dec 1691; had s. Thomas, b. 24 Jan 1693/4.
I. Lydia, b. Oct 1671."
5. From the book "The Griswold Family: England-America," by Glenn E. Griswold, 1935, vols. 2 and 3, pps. 13-34:
"Francis, b. in England, 1635 (Edward); m. about 1652. His wife seems to be unknown. Several authorities have stated she was Mary Tracy, daughter of Lieutenant Thomas Tracy and this has been carried from time to time by different writers and compilers as a fact. There seems to be no daughter Mary listed in the record of Thomas Tracy's children, and continued research has not solved this important point (See Fam. No. 26).
Francis was a man of capacity and enterprise. First settled in Windsor and Poquonoc, Conn.; thence to Saybrook, and later to Norwich where he made his permanent home. He is listed as one of the first proprietors of Norwich. Very few records of NorÂwich are in existence previous to 1660. One of these is a notice of a town meeting Jan. 7, 1655/6, at which Francis was present. An exceedingly active citizen; deputy eleven years, 1660-1671. Appointed on the Court of Commission 1662. Lieutenant of trainÂband. Died 1671. He and his wife were buried in the old Post-ÂGager cemetery, over which there seems to have been a continued controversy between the town authorities and the friends of the historic who desire this cemetery be left undisturbed.
The birth of his children were recorded, first four in Saybrook, others in Norwich.
An interesting letter written by Benjamin Brewster to his brother-in-law concerning Francis which shows that the folk in early times were as keen on business as those of a later date:
Loveing Brother Wetherill
My love comended to you with my sister if Gorge and you dele for his cow then yo must make a very puntuall barginn with him for he is trading with severall for hur goodman Grissill expects the cow and therefore if you dele make aright with him and when he comes up let him make delevere of the cow to me for you and dele thus for prise that what the buccher will gife that you will give; and if you dele then send me word what your mind is whether I shall hur or not and you take butter) you may have som Now rest. Your assured Loveing Brother.
Benjamin Brewster.
Their children:
Sarah, b. Mar. 28, 1653.
Joseph, b. June 4, 1655; d. July 1655.
Mary, b. Aug, 26, 1656.
Hannah, b. Dec. 11, 1658.
DEBORAH, b. May 6, 1661.
Lydia, b. June 1663; d. Apr. 1664.
Samuel, b. Sept. 16, 1665.
Margaret, b. Oct. 1668.
Lydia, b. Oct 1671
Windsor, Saybrook, and Norwich, Conn. records; Stiles Ancient Windsor, II, 351; Hist. of Franklin Conn.; Joseph Parsons Faro. Hist., 119; Conn. Col. Dames Register; Conn. Colony rec., Vol. I, 196, 297; Vol. II, 14, 79, 91, 113, 523; Nash Fifty Puritan Ancestors, 102.
6. The book "The Griswold Family, the First Five Generations in America," comp. and ed. by Esther Griswold French and Robert Lewis French, May 1990, printed by The Griswold Family Association, 116 Garden St., Wethersfield, CT, 06109, pages 6-24. The authors note that their book updates Vol. II, "The Griswold Family England - America," which was published 50 years ago. The following is a partial transcription regarding the children of Edward and Margaret of which the whole transcription can be seen in the notes of Edward Griswold:
"...When the Rev. Ephraim Huit arrived in Windsor, Conn. with his congregation about Aug. 17, 1639 to assist the Rev. John Warham, Edward and Margaret Griswold, their four children: Francis, George, John and Sarah; and Edward's brother Matthew, were with the company (Savage's Genealogical Dictionary 2:316)...
...Although he was granted land at Poquonoc he did not move there until after the title of the Indians had been fully extinguished in 1642. He was resident there in 1649 with two other families, John Bartlett and Thomas Holcomb. His home stood near the highway at the top of the hill, and contained 29-1/2 acres bounded mostly south and west by Stony Brook and east by the river. His sons George and Joseph received the homestead when he moved to Hammonassett in 1663 with his son John and two daughters, Hannah Westover and Deborah Buell, with their families...
Edward married (2) Sarah Dimond Bemis, daughter of John and Rebecca (Bemis) Dimond and widow of James Bemis, constable of New London, who died in 1665. Her daughter married as his first wife, John, youngest son of Edward and Margaret. The date of Edward's second marriage was before Dec 25, 1672 when a deed of gift to his son John was executed 'of and for natural affection and also for divers other good causes' giving John 'my housing and land lying and being in the the Township of Killingworth' for which John was to pay to:
'Samuel son of ffrancis Griswold deceased ₤60 when he attains the age of 21 and if he dye before he be twenty-one years of age then John is to pay ₤5 a year to his six sisters the daughters of ffrancis. In case John dye childless and have no issue then the ₤60 or the ₤30 is to be returned by those that inherit the land to the widdow and relict of John Griswold or whom he shall bequeath it to. And all the above sayde land and housing so returne to the eldest sons of George, Joseph and Samuel Griswold the imediat sons of Edward Griswold Snr and if they have no sons then to their eldest daughters. Also the sayde John Griswold is to kepe all the housing in good repayre and to allow to my wife after my decease the use and benefit of the parlors and meadow to kepe two cowes during the time of her widdowhood. Also if John Griswold dye and have no issue his widdow is to enjoy the one halfe of the housing and lands during the time of her widdowhood. Witnesses: Tobias Hull, Jonas Westover. December 25, 1672.'
Edward died in 1690 in his 84th year, his burial place being unknown, except it may be in the vacant space next to that of Margaret.
Based on additional research, the order of birth and number of children of Edward and Margaret have been revised from that given in the earlier Griswold family genealogy. Kenilworth Parish Register entries show four children baptized there of which Lydia is the only one who did not come to this country, indicating she died as an infant in England. The first John died in 1642 in Windsor, Conn. The Kenilworth Parish Register begins with the year 1630 so no baptismal record has been found for Francis who was undoubtedly the oldest child, born about 1629 to have been married about 1652 at approximately 23 year of age. Sarah bp. Jan. 29, 1631/2 in Kenilworth is the logical one to have married in 1650. Savage's Genealogical Dictionary and the Kenilworth Parish Records refer to only one Sarah, born in England who came to Windsor with her parents in 1639. She would have been 18 years of age at the time of her marriage in 1650, not 15 nor 12 as has previously been asserted.
Children, first five born in Kenilworth, England, the rest in Windsor, Conn.:
Francis b. ca. 1629.
Sarah, bp. 29 Jan 1631/2.
George, bp. 19 May 1633.
John, bp. 10 Jan 1635/6; d. 1642 Windsor, Conn.
Lydia, bp. 17 Nov 1637; d. England before 1639.
Ann (Hannah), bp. 19 Jun 1642.
Mary, b. 5 Oct 1644.
Deborah, bp. 28 June 1646.
Joseph, bp. 12 Mar 1647/8.
Samuel, bp. 18 Nov 1649; d. 6 Jul 1672. Inventory of his estate is dated 26 Feb 1672/3, probated 6 Mar 1672/3. His brother George was appointed administrator.
John, bp. 1 Aug 1652.
References: Parish Register, Kenilworth, England; Killingworth and Clinton, Conn. Records; Historic Families of America, p. 297; Conn. Society of Colonial Dames Register; Savage: Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England II:316; Dimond Family pp. 13-14; Bemis Family p. 211; NEHGR Vol. V; Magazine of American History I:120-129; Wyllys Papers XXXI; Trumbull: Hartford County II:521, 548, 552; Hartford Probate Records; Stiles: Ancient Windsor I:71, 148, 157, 158; II:351; Anniversary of the First Church, Clinton, Conn. p. 25; Conn. Magazine VIII;489, 504; Booth and Allied Families; Caulkins: History of New London p. 283; History of Norwich, Conn. pp. 92, 176; Conn. Historical Society Collections XXII; Conn. Colony Records I, II, III; TAG 41:214."
7. "The Connecticut Magazine," Third Quarter, 1908, No. 3, Vol. XII, pp. 323-329, Article: "Recent Investigations in Connecticut Genealogy - Griswolds of Windsor," by Mrs. Julia Welles Griswold Smith, deals mainly with later Griswolds, but does have the following interesting comment in speaking of the children of Edward and Margaret: "Francis settled at Norwich; Sarah and Mary married brothers Samuel and Lieutenant Timothy, sons of Mr. William Phelps, and the Phelps and Griswold families have intermarried ever since. Deborah married Samuel Buell of Killingworth and is recorded as of fine presence and strong character, sometimes written of as 'the mother of all the Buells' in Connecticut. About 1663, after years of public service, Edward, the emigrant, deeded his Windsor lands and house to his sons, George and Joseph, and with some younger children removed to the south shore of the colony and was one of the founders of Killingworth, now Clinton. Here English Margaret died and here her tombstone stands today marked 'M.G. 1670.'
Edward immediately entered public life in Killingworth as in Windsor, as shown in Stiles and Salisbury Histories, but returning to Windsor for his last years, died in 1691. His sons, George and Joseph, who had remained there, are the ancestors of Windsor Griswolds...
Windsor had its real estate boom in 1640-50, when land was held at high prices and then dropped, for the obvious reason that if they could not pay Windsor prices there was plenty more land all about.
The Griswolds for many generations were large land-holders. Edward, first settler, had large acreage. George also bought of the Indians and was man of wealth and importance in Poquonoc. Windsor is an elastic term and includes much of what is since Poquonoc, Simsbury, Tarriffville, East Granby, and so forth. Samuel's property was some of the most beautiful in the state, nearly 500 acres, with views of Farmington River where it breaks through the Talcott Mountains and most romantic scenes of valley and mountain. Tarriffville used to be called Griswold Mills..."
8. The book "Families of Early Guilford, Connecticut," comp. by Alvan Talcott, 1984, has the following [Note: the book appears to be more of a compilation then a documented resource; consequently, there may be some errors.]:
"Francis Griswold, son of Edward and Margaret, was born 1629 and died October 1671. He married Mary Tracy. Lived in Norwich, Conn. Children:
Sarah, b. 28 Mar 1653; d. 7 Apr 1692; m. Robert Chapman.
Joseph, b. 4 Jun 1655; d. 30 Jul 1655.
Mary, b. 26 Aug 1656; m. Jonathan Tracy.
Hannah, b. 11 Dec 1658; m. William Clark.
Deborah, b. May 1661; m. Jonathan Crane.
Lydia, b. Jun 1663; d. 1664.
Samuel, b. 16 Sep 1665; d. 21 Dec 1740; m. Susanna Huntington.
Margaret, b. Oct 1668; m.Thomas Buckingham.
Lydia, b. Oct 1671."
9. From the book "The Griswold Family," by Edward Elbridge Salisbury, privately published 1884, copy in Windsor, Conn. Historical Society Library. The book contains many prime sources not found in other Griswold publications. In the previous part of the book, Mr. Salisbury documents that Edward, Matthew, and Thomas are brothers (see these individuals' notes for a transcription). Pp. 3-5:
"With regard to the ancestry of the three brothers whom we thus distinctly trace, we have no certain information reaching beyond their father. A deposition lately found among the papers of Rev. F.W. Chapman, 'a full and true copy' of an original now lost, enables me to begin the Griswold pedigree one generation further back than it has been hitherto traced. This valuable document is in these words:
'The testimony of Captain George Griswold, aged about 72 years, and the testimony of Mr. John Griswold, aged about 69 years, they both being sons of George Griswold, The Deponents being both of Windsor in the county of Hartford and colony of Connecticut in New England, is as follows;
'Viz., that our Grandfather's name was Edward Griswold, and it was formerly and has ever since been always accepted and reputed that our said Grandfathers's father's name was George Griswold, and the said George Griswold our Great Grandfather had three sons, the eldest named Edward, the second named Matthew, and third or youngest son named Thomas, and the said Edward the eldest son, and the said Matthew the second son, came into new England from Killingsworth in Warwickshire in England; and in all our discourses amongst the families of said Griswolds in New England, together with other elderly observing gentlemen, they are and have ever been so accepted and reputed to be, without contradiciton or gainsaying, according to the best of our rememberance.
'And the Deponents fruther add and say that the above named Edward Griswold's eldest son has always been called and reputed to be Francis Griswold, without any contradiction or gainsaying as aforesaid that we know of.
'Windsor in Hartford county in Connecticut, New England personally appeared on the 19th day of January Anno Dom. 1737-8, Captain George Griswold and John Griswold the above named Deponents, and made solemn oath, in due form of law, to the truth of the above written testimony, before me. Henry Allyn, Justice Peace.'
(Author notes: This copy was given to Mr. Chapman by Mr. J.S. Griswold of Benson, Vt., whose brother Mr. W.D. Griswold, now of St. Louis, Mo., writes to me respecting the original paper as follows: 'As regards the original paper, I remember to have seen it on occasion of a visit I made to my native home in 1841. My Father, then alive, showed it to me, and I read it over and over with great interest, and I then took a copy of it, which I think I have sent to some inquirer, without retaining a copy of the copy. The affidavit was evidently taken in aid of some pending legal proceeding, and in anticipation of some legal use. It was inherited by my Father with the old papers and muniments of his Father, and that is all that can be said of its history.' In anothre letter Mr. Griswold says: 'I read it over repeatedly, and critically observed the paper, old and faded, and the writing of style verifying its age.' These two Griswolds brothers are descendants of Edward Griswold, through his son Francis.)"
10. From the book "The Griswold Family," by Edward Elbridge Salisbury, privately published 1884, copy in Windsor, Conn. Historical Society Library, pp. 8-10:
"[Edward] was twice married; first, in England, to Margaret ___, who died 23 Aug 1670. ('Her gravestone stands in the Clinton Congregational Burying Ground, with the letters M.G., and is called the oldest monument.') and secondly, in 1672 or 1673, to the widow of James Bemis of New London. 'Before coming to Windsor he had Francis, George, John, and Sarah, probably all born in England, and he had at Windsor; three sons and three daughters - all, as appears by their days of birth or baptism recorded at Windsor, by his first marriage."
His son Francis is found to have been at Saybrook in 1655-56 (Caulkins' Hist. of Norwich, by Francis Manwaring Caulkins, 1866, p. 53) but was one of the first proprietors of Norwich, settled in 1660, taking 'an active part in the affairs of the plantation;' (Caulkins' Hist. of Norwich, by Francis Manwaring Caulkins, 1866, p. 177) and from 1661, inclusive, to 1671, was a Deputy to the General Court. (Caulkins' Hist. of Norwich, by Francis Manwaring Caulkins, 1866, p. 84) He died in 1671 (Caulkins' Hist. of Norwich, by Francis Manwaring Caulkins, 1866, p. 132), leaving several children, of whom a daughter, Margaret (b. 1668), married Thomas Buckingham, son of Rev. Thomas, of Saybrook, in 1691. (Stiles' Hist. of Anc. Windsor, p. 640; and Savage's Geneal. Dict., i. 285.)."
11. "New England Genealogical and Historical Register," 155(2001):245-250, "Major William2 Bradford's Second Wife: Was She the Widow of Francis2 Griswold?," by David Jay Webber :
"Major William2 Bradford (1624-1704), of Plymouth and Kingston, Massachusetts, was the son of Plymouth Colony Governor William1 Bradford (1590-1657) and his second wife Alice (Carpenter) (Southworth) Bradford (1590-1670). Major Bradford was married three times. According to a long-standing tradition his second wife was "a widow Wiswall." This has been repeated in many places. The earliest appearance of this tradition in writing, as far as I can tell, is in an 1830 manuscript by Lewis Bradford of Plympton, Massachusetts, entitled "A Genealogical Account of part of the family of Bradford, which descended from Gov. William Bradford." A very legible photocopy is in the General Society of Mayflower Descendants Library in Plymouth. Lewis Bradford writes on page 11 of his genealogy that "The second wife of Maj. William Bradford was a widow Wiswall, by whom he had one son, viz. Joseph, who, it is said, moved to Connecticut, and also his half brother Thomas is said to [have] move[d] thither."
Major Bradford's first wife, Alice (Richards) Bradford, died at Plymouth on 12 December 1671. Joseph3, the only child of the second marriage, was born in 1675. The first child of Major Bradford's third marriage, to Mary (Wood) Holmes, was born about 1677.[1] We can conclude, therefore, that Major William Bradford married the "widow Wiswall" sometime around 1673, and that she died
at the time of Joseph's birth in 1675 or very soon thereafter.
Over the years various writers have tried to "nail down" the identity of this "widow Wiswall." John A. Goodwin identified her as the widow of "Parson Wiswall" of Duxbury, Massachusetts.[2] This is impossible, since the Rev. Ichabod2 Wiswall, pastor of the church at Duxbury, lived until 23 July 1700, and his second wife, Priscilla (Pabodie) Wiswall, survived as his widow until her death on 3 June 1724.[3] William T. Davis suggested that she was "perhaps d[aughter], of Thomas Fitch of Norwalk, Conn."[4] This also is impossible, since Thomas1 Fitch's three daughters are already maritally accounted for, and none of them was married to a Wiswall or a Brad1ord.[5] Ruth Gardiner Hall went so far as to specify, without qualification, that the "widow Wiswall" was Mary Fitch, born in 1643.[6] But Thomas Fitch's daughter Mary, born in 1643, was married to Matthew Sherwood, and she died as his widow on 25 December 1730.[7] I suspect that this Fitch family mix-up can be attributed in part to a careless misapplication of data that really pertain to the next generation, since Major Bradford's son Joseph3 did marry into the Fitch family - twice. His first wife was Anne2 Fitch, the daughter of the Rev. James' Fitch of Saybrook, Norwich, and Lebanon, Connecticut, and the niece of Thomas1 Fitch of Norwalk, Connecticut. His second wife was Mary (Sherwood) Fitch, the daughter of Matthew and Mary (Fitch) Sherwood (!) and the widow of Daniel2 Fitch. (Daniel was the son of the Rev. James Fitch and the brother of Joseph Bradford's first wife.)[8]
The chief reason why a satisfactory identification of the "widow Wiswall" has eluded Bradford family researchers is that there simply was no widow Wiswall who could have married Major William Bradford about 1673. The Wiswall or Wiswell family of Massachusetts was fairly small, and an examination of the genealogical data on the early generations of this family rules out such a possibility.[9] Where, then, did this story originate?
Since the tradition as it is currently formulated has never been a real possibility, we can conclude that a trace of genuineness may be hidden somewhere within it. If someone on the basis of superficial research and/or guesswork had invented this story, we could expect that the story would at least be comprehensible and perhaps even plausible. But since the identification of Bradford's second wife as "a widow Wiswall" is, and always would have been, completely incomprehensible, we can conclude that it is probably not an invented story. Perhaps it is a garbled version of something old and genuine.
As we attempt to dig beneath the surface of the tradition to seek out this kernel of truth, we can begin by looking carefully at the wording of Major William Bradford's will, dated 29 June 1703. Among other things, he mentions that he had "given a portion in Lands in Norwich (which were the Lands of my brother John Bradford)" to his son Thomas.[10] Major Bradford's older half-brother John2 had indeed lived in Norwich, Connecticut, and he had died without issue many years earlier.[11] What is most interesting in the will, however, is how Joseph3 Bradford's legacy is then described: "To my son Joseph Bradford a portion of Lands near Norwich aforesaid (which was his Mothers & part I Purchased) as may appear under hand & seal also I give to him the history of the Netherlands, & a Rapier."[12]
Because Major Bradford's older half-brother, John Bradford, lived in Norwich, we can easily see how he might have chosen a second wife from among the eligible women of that town. John2 Bradford may very well have served as a "match-maker" for a recently-widowed neighbor and his own recently-widowed half-brother.
We see from Major Bradford's will that his second wife owned land near Norwich at the time of their marriage. This would have been land that she either inherited from her own family or that she bought as a widow. She would have had use of a portion of her deceased husband's land during her lifetime; however, that land would have reverted to his heirs upon her death.
Unfortunately, land records for the earlier years of Norwich's existence are almost non-existent, and there are some significant gaps in our knowledge of who owned what land.[13] The Norwich land records have not yet revealed any genealogically useful information about the Bradford holdings there, other than the deed cited in note 10.
Norwich had been settled in 1660, and between then and 1673 (the approximate time of William2 Bradford's second marriage) only a small number of the male proprietors in Norwich had died. According to Frances Manwaring Caulkins there were probably only three: William' Backus, Francis2 Griswold, and Major John' Mason. Mason's wife died before he did, and Backus's widow died in Norwich not long after her husband.[14] With Francis Griswold, however, we have a different story.
Francis2 Griswold (born about 1629) was the son of Edward1 Griswold and his first wife Margaret (___) Griswold. He was one of the founders of Norwich who had moved there from Saybrook, Connecticut, with the other original settlers. He died in October 1671.[15] The given name of his wife, who came with him from Saybrook, was Sarah.[16] Her surname has not been ascertained. In spite of persistent claims to the contrary we do at least know that she was not the daughter of Thomas Tracy.[17] Francis and Sarah Griswold were the parents of nine children, the eldest of which was born in Saybrook in 1653.[18] The youngest, Lydia, was born in Norwich in October 1671, the same month in which Francis died.
Francis Griswold had held several public offices. He was Deputy for Norwich to the Connecticut General Court for eleven sessions, between 1664 and 1671, and was Lieutenant of the Norwich Train Band.[19] His social standing was therefore comparable to that of Major William Bradford, who likewise served in several offices of public trust.
At a session of the New London County Court held on 4 June 1672, "The Inventorie of Liut. ffrancis Griswould Deseased was Exhibitted In Court & ordered to bee Recorded, this Court Grants ye Relict Administra[tion] & ordereth the Estate as ffolloweth, to the widdow the one third of all houseing & Lands Dureing her naturall Life..."[20]
In Connecticut records Francis Griswold's surname sometimes appears as "Griswell."[21] This more phonetic spelling of the name probably reflected the common pronunciation of the time, which minimized the final "d." The name Wiswall or Wiswell, and the name Griswold or Griswell, would have sounded similar when spoken.
For all of these reasons I would like to propose the hypothesis that Major William2 Bradford's second wife, identified by Bradford family tradition as "a widow Wiswall," was actually the widow of Francis2 Griswold. According to this hypothesis the pronunciation and spelling of the name became garbled after a few generations of oral transmission, or perhaps through the smearing of an early written record that is no longer extant.
The tradition that Major Bradford's second wife was "a widow Wiswall" was passed down through the Massachusetts branch of the Bradford family rather than through the Connecticut branch. This is noteworthy. In 1830 Lewis Bradford was very much aware of this tradition, but he did not at that time know very much about those members of the family (Joseph and Thomas) who had moved to Connecticut. In fact, he was not completely certain that they had actually gone there. He noted that they were "said" to have moved to Connecticut. Lewis Bradford obviously had not been in contact with the descendants of Joseph and Thomas Bradford.[22] Now, the Connecticut Bradfords would have been familiar with the Griswold name, since bearers of that surname remained prominent there, and they consequently would have been less likely to confuse that name with the name of a Massachusetts family (Wiswall) that was similarly pronounced. By comparison, the Griswold name is very uncommon in early Plymouth records. It is not a name that the Massachusetts Bradfords would have heard very often, and
after a time they might very easily have forgotten the correct pronunciation and spelling.
The Griswold name was not, however, completely unheard of in Plymouth, and that leads to a consideration of the next category of evidence for my hypothesis. According to the hypothesis, Francis2 Griswold's widow Sarah married William2 Bradford about 1673 and moved to Plymouth Colony to live with her new husband. Griswold's older children were married in Connecticut either before his death or soon thereafter, but we would expect that his younger children, or at least some of them, would have stayed with their mother and moved to Plymouth with her. Since William Bradford's second wife died just a couple years after her arrival in the colony, it does not surprise us that she is not mentioned in surviving Plymouth records. But do any of the Griswold children appear in Plymouth records? The answer is a resounding yes!
Francis Griswold's daughter Hannah3 was born in Saybrook on 11 December 1658.[23] In the Plymouth vital records we read that "Mr. William Clark married Hannah Griswell 7 March 1677[/8].[24] Hannah (Griswold) Clark died on 20 February 1687/8, and is buried in Plymouth.[25] Francis Griswold's youngest daughter Lydia3, mentioned earlier, also appears in the Plymouth vital records: "Joseph Bartlet Jr. married Lidia Grizwel 6 June 1692.[26] Joseph Bartlett died on 9 April 1703, and on 24 June 1704, Lydia married (second) Joseph Holmes, Jr. Lydia (Griswold) (Bartlett) Holmes died in January 1752, and is also buried in Plymouth.[27] We are compelled to ask: How did two daughters of a Norwich proprietor, who died in 1671, end up living in Plymouth and marrying into Plymouth families? The hypothesis here presented offers a very plausible answer.
In summary, I believe it to be highly likely that Major William2 Bradford's second wife, heretofore identified as "a widow Wiswall," was actually Sarah (___) Griswold, the widow of Francis2 Griswold of Norwich. The evidence is admittedly indirect, and no definitive proof for this identification can be produced at this time. But in my opinion the evidence strongly points in this direction.
Footnotes:
1. Robert S. Wakefield, compiler, "William Bradford of the "Mayflower" and His Descendants for Four Generations" (Plymouth, Mass.: General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 2001), 3-5.
2. James Shepherd, "Governor William Bradford, and His Son, Major William Bradford" (New Britain, Conn.: by the author, 1900), 79.
3. Esther Littleford Woodworth-Barnes, compiler, "Mayflower Families Through Five Generations, Volume 16, Part 1: Family of John Alden" (Plymouth, Mass.: General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1999), 66-68.
4. William T. Davis, "Ancient Landmarks of Plymouth, Part II: Genealogical Register of Plymouth Families" (Boston: A. Williams and Company, 1883), 38.
5. Roscoe Conkling Fitch, "History of the Fitch Family," 2 vols. (Haverhill, Mass.: Fitch Family, 1930), 1:116.
6. Ruth Gardiner Hall, "Descendants of Governor William Bradford" (New York: Bradford Family Compact, 1951), 4.
7. Roscoe Conkling Fitch [note 5], 1:116.
8. Wakefield, "Bradford" [note 1], 17-18; John T. Fitch, "Puritan in the Wilderness," 2nd ed. (Camden, Me.: Picton Press, 1995), 292, 296.
9. Anson Titus, "The Wiswall Family of America," Register 40 (1886), 58-60.
10 .George Ernest Bowman, "The Mayflower Reader" (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co.,
1978), 287; recorded in Norwich Deeds 2A:202.
11. Wakefield, "Bradford" [note 1], 3.
12. Bowman "Mayflower Reader" [note 10], 287.
13. Frances Manwaring Caulkins, "History of Norwich, Connecticut" (Hartford: by the author,
1866), 60-70. Norwich, Windham and Lebanon deeds were reviewed at the Connecticut State Library, but no sales of property by Joseph Bradford mentioned parents or grandparents.
14. Caulkins, "Norwich" [note 13], 132, 146, 158.
15. Esther Griswold French and Robert Lewis French, "The Griswold Family" (Wethersfield,
Conn.: The Griswold Family Association, 1990), 15; Donald Lines Jacobus, "The Granberry
Family and Allied Families" (Hartford, Conn.: E.F. Waterman, 1945), 233-34; Donald Lines
Jacobus, "The Waterman Family," 3 vols. (New Haven, Conn.: E.F. Waterman, 1939-54), 1:665-67.
16. At a session of the New London County Court held on 17 September 1672 Thomas Adgatt and John Post were appointed overseers of the "Widdow Sarah Griswell her Estate" (New London County court records 3:51, at the Connecticut State Archives). Dr. Norman W. Ingham, CG, has verified the existence of this record and provided a photocopy and transcription; cf. Jacobus, Granberry [note 15], 235 n.
17. French, "Griswold" [note 151, 15; Jacobus, Waterman [note 15], 1:667.
18. French, "Griswold" [note 15], 15-16; Jacobus, Waterman [note 15], 1:667-68.
19. Jacobus, "Granberry" [note 15], 234.
20. London County Court records, 3:47, at the Connecticut State Archives (photocopy and transcription from Dr. Norman W. Ingham); quoted in Jacobus, Granberry [note 15], 234-35.
21. For example, in Caulkins, Norwich [note 13], 85, and in the court record cited in note 16.
22. Four of Major William Bradford's daughters also lived in Connecticut (see Wakefield, Bradford [note 1], 10-14).
23. French, Griswold [note 15], 15; Jacobus, Waterman [note 15], 1:668.
24. Vital Records of Plymouth, Massachusetts (Camden, Me.: Picton Press, 1993), 85. It is interesting to note that his marriage to Hannah Griswold is recorded both in the Plymouth records and in the Saybrook Colony records (Vital Records of Saybrook Colony [Old Saybrook, Conn.:
Saybrook Press, 1985], 21).
25. French, Griswold [note 15], 27; Jacobus, Waterman [note 15], 1:668; Donald Lines Jacobus, "Thomas Clark(e) of Plymouth and Boston in the Line of Nathaniel3 of Lyme, Connecticut," "The American Genealogist" 47 (1971):3-16 at 5.
26. Vital Records of Plymouth" [note 24], 86; Eugene A. Stratton, "Descendants of Mr. John Holmes, Messenger of the Plymouth Court," "National Genealogical Society Quarterly" 74(1986):83-103 at 96-97, 203-23; 77 (1989):143-44.
27. French, "Griswold" [note 15], 30-3 1; Jacobus, Waterman [note 15], 1:668."
12. FHL book 929.273 H441e "Newell Ancestry – The Story of the Antecedents of William Stark Newell," by William M. Emery, 1944, p. 89:
"Francis Griswold, son of Edward and Margaret Griswold, was born in England in 1635. He lived in several places in Connecticut, finally making Norwich his permanent home.
He was one of the first proprietors there. He was Lieutenant of the trainband, and served as Deputy to the General Court for eleven years, 1660-1671. The name of his wife is unknown.
Authority: "The Griswold Family," by Glenn E. Griswold."
13. The book "The Ancestry of Allen Grinnell Cleaver and Martha Irene Jessup," by William Jessup Cleaver (Baltimore, MD: Gateway Press, Inc., 1989), pp. 490-91, 494-95:
"FRANCIS GRISWOLD was born in England about 1629. Some references give his wife's name as Mary Tracy, but apparently this is incorrect. He died in Norwich, Connecticut in October 1671.
He left his home in Windsor to settle in Saybrook, Connecticut. Four of his children were born there, the first in 1653. He moved again to Norwich in 1660 where he was an original proprietor. He served as Deputy to the General Court from Norwich from October 1664 through 1669 with one session in 1671. He served on a committee for the Stonington Indians in October 1666 and was called Lieutenant. In May of 1668 he received a grant from the Colony of one hundred acres presumably for his service to the Colony. He was a Lieutenant from Norwich in King Philip's War. (5)(6)(16)
Francis and his wife are buried in the Post-Gager Cemetery. (8)
Children of Francis Griswold:
i. SARAH, b. 28 Mar. 1653 in Saybrook.
ii. Joseph, b. 4 June 1655; d. July 1655.
iii. Mary, b. 26 Aug. 1656 at Saybrook, d. at Preston, Conn. 24 Apr. 1711, aged 55; m. at Norwich 11 July 1672 Jonathan Tracy, son of Lt. Wm. Tracy.
iv. Anna, b. 11 Dec. 1658 at Saybrook; d. at Plymouth, Mass. 20 Feb. 1687 in her 29th year; m. (as Hannah) 7 Mar. 1677/8 William Clark, son of Thomas and Susannah (Ring) Clark. William had m. first Sarah Wolcott of Plymouth where they resided in a garrison house by Eel River. An Indian raid on Sunday 12 Mar. 1676 killed his wife, several of his children and some others totaling eleven people while William was at church. A son, Thomas, left for dead, subsequently had a silver plate put over his exposed brain by the celebrated Dr. John Clark of Boston. After Hannah's death William m. (3rd) Abiah Wilder of Marshfield. William was active in land operations, as a tar maker and in fishing. Hannah is buried in Burial Hill above Plymouth Harbor.
v. Deborah, b. 6 May 1661; d. 1704; m. 19 Dec. 1678, Jonathan Crane, son of Benjamin and Mary (Backus) Crane. They lived in Windham, Conn. where Jonathan had a 1000 acre right, ran a mill, was selectman and Patentee.
vi. Lydia, b. June 1663, d. Apr. 1664.
vii. Samuel, b. at Norwich, Conn. Sept. 1664; d. there 2 Dec. 1740; m. (1st) 10 Dec. 1685 Susannah, daughter of Christopher and Ruth (Rockwell). Huntington; m. (2nd) Hannah (Backus) Bingham Tracy, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Pratt) Backus and widow of Thomas Bingham and Daniel Tracy. Samuel was Deputy of Norwich in 1707 and Captain of the Train Band.
viii. Margaret, b. at Norwich Oct. 1668; m. at Saybrook 16 Dec. 1691, Thomas, son of Rev. Thomas and Hester (Hosmer) Buckingham of Saybrook. They lived in Lebanon, Conn. where both were active in the church, Thomas in town affairs. Thomas is buried at Saybrook.
ix. Lydia, b. at Norwich Oct. 1671; d. at Plymouth, Mass. Jan 1752 at age 80; m. (1st) 6 June 1692 Joseph Bartlett; m. (2nd) 24 June 1704 Joseph Holmes, Jr. (6)(8)(11)(12)(13)
References:
(1) TAG, vol. 39, 1963. Mrs. Genevive Tvlee Kiepura.
(2) TAG, vol. 40, 1946, John G. Hunt and Donald Lines Jacobus.
(3) TAG, vol. 41, 1965, John G. Hunt.
(4) Dawes-Gates Ancestral Lines, Mary Walton Ferris 1931-43, vol. II.
(5) Colonial Records of Connecticut, vols. I, II, III.
(6) Waterman Family, D. L. Jacobus, 1939.
(7) A List of Civil, Military and Ecclesiastical Officers, Donald Lines Jacobus.
(8) The Griswold Family, England and America, Glenn E. Griswold, 1935, 1942.
(9) Family Histories and Genealogies, E. E. and E. M. Salisbury, 1892, vol. II.
(10) History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Henry R. Stiles, 1892.
(11) Saybrook Vital Records
(12) Norwich Vital Records.
(13) Lebanon Vital Records.
(14) Killingsworth Vital Records, TAG, vol. 12.
(15) Griswold Family of Connecticut, Edward Elbridge Salisbury, 1884.
(16) Soldiers in King Philip's War, George M. Bodge, 1896.
(17) One Branch of the Booth Family, Chas. E. Booth, 1910."
14. The book "The Ancestry of Allen Grinnell Cleaver and Martha Irene Jessup," by William Jessup Cleaver (Baltimore, MD: Gateway Press, Inc., 1989), pp. 486-90, 494-95:
"1. EDWARD GRISWOLD, son of George and Dousabell--, was baptized 26 July 1607 in Wooten Wawen, a chapelry of Henley in Warwickshire, England. He married in England Margaret-- and they emigrated to New England in 1639 with perhaps six children and his younger brother Matthew. Margaret died in Killingsworth, Connecticut 23 August 1670. Her gravestone marked "M. G. 1670" is the oldest in the cemetery. Edward married, second, in 1672/3 Sarah (--) Bemis, widow of James Bemis of New London. Edward may be buried in the empty space beside Margaret's stone in Clinton. He died in 1691 in his 84th year. (1)(4)(15)
In a deposition dated 5 May 1684, Edward Griswold stated that he was about sixty-seven years old and that "about the year 1639 Mr. William Whiting, Dec'd, was Undertaker [financial sponser] for a shipp in England, in which Shipp I came to New England." He was to act as agent for Whiting in collecting £200 from a Mr. John St. Nicholas who was expected to soon be in Windsor. The Rev. Ephraim Huet of Wroxall near Kenilworth, though an eminent preacher and writer of the Puritan faith; had b6en persecuted as a non-conformist by Archbishop Laud. He emigrated with a party which undoubtedly included the Griswolds, arriving in Windsor, Connecticut 17 August 1639. Huet became the first teacher in the church there. Edward received his first share of lands at Windsor in January 1640/41. In 1642 title to Poquonack-about four miles away -- had been cleared with the Indians and a few families including the Griswolds moved there and Edward had a corner lot of twenty-nine acres bounded by Stony Creek on both the south and the west. This settlement seemed so remote to the General Court that in September of 1649 in consideration of the exposure of so many dangers it freed one "souldger" from each family from attendance on each training-day requiring that he who "tarryes at home, stands about the aforesaid howses uppon his sentinel posture." (4)(5)(15)
Edward was deputy from Windsor to the General Court (legislature) from 1656 until the charter was received from King Charles II in 1662/3 -- except for one session. He later represented Killingsworth almost continuously from 1667 to 1689 and he was Judge at Killingsworth from 1667 through 1677. (7)
In 1659 William Pyncheon contracted Edward Griswold to build "Old Fort," a mansion for the Pyncheon family on Main Street in Springfield in the Bay Colony. The building stood sixty or seventy-five feet back from the street, was forty-two feet long, twenty-one feet wide and was twenty-two feet from the ground to the eaves and the same distance perpendicular from the eaves to the ridge beams -- a very steep roof. The walls were red Long Meadow stone and bricks made in Northampton. The brick walls were over two feet thick on the first floor and half that on the second story. Eight by ten oak timbers supported the roof. Edward Griswold was paid €40 for the construction including both the stonework and the brickwork. A future son-in-law, Samuel Buel, prepared the hewn logs. On 5 October 1675 when Springfield was attacked and burned by the Indians, the house was one of three fortified houses. The building stood until 1831 and until 1800 was the only brick building in Springfield. Major Pyncheon held Court in one of the lower rooms and records were stored in a space above the porch. (4)(17)
In March-1663 the General Court appointed a committee to view Hamonoscett to ascertain if it would be a fit location for a new settlement or plantation. The second report of the committee which had decided in favor of the location and that it would support thirty families included Edward Griswold's name as one of the first settlers. He was then age sixty-four. The settlement was called Kenilworth (later corrupted to Killingsworth) as a courtesy to Edward's memory of his home in England. It was specified that each settler was to stay four years -- and to build within two years. Edward deeded his lands in Windsor to his older sons, reserving a small annuity for himself, and moved in 1663. The new town was first represented on the General Court in May of 1667 and Edward Griswold was its first Deputy. He was Deacon of the First Church, as well, and Commissioner (Justice) for more than sixteen years. At this same time his son Francis sat on the General Court representing Norwich and his younger brother, Matthew, was Deputy from Lyme. Only two men, including Edward, were accorded the prefix "Mr." on the 1669 list of Freeman. He was involved with laying out land for other plantations, arranging roads and bridges and their upkeep and establishing a Latin School at New London. The General Court in appreciation granted him two hundred acres of land in 1674, laid out at the north end of the "Lyme bounds," and the town of Killings-worth followed suit with a one hundred acre grant. (4)(6)(7)
Rather than a will he signed a conditional inheritance deed on Christmas day 1672 -- nineteen years before his death. John Griswold was to receive all the property out of which he paid certain legacies. He had, in the spirit of most .colonists, accumulated considerable land. (4)(8)
Children of Edward Griswold and Margaret:
i. FRANCIS, b. about 1629 in England.
ii. Sarah, bapt. at Kenilworth, England 1631, died young.
iii. George, bapt. at Kenilworth, England 1633; d. at Windsor, Conn. 3 Sept. 1674; m. 3 Oct. 1655 Mary Holcomb, daughter of Thomas.
iv. Sarah, bapt. at Kenilworth, England 1635, d. at Windsor 6 Nov. 1715, m. (1st) at Windsor 10 Nov. 1650 Samuel Phelps, son of William, who d. 15 May 1669. They settled at Windsor, had nine children. She m. (2nd) at Windsor 21 July 1670 Nathan Pinney.
v. Lydia, bapt. 1637. Kenilworth, England.
vi. John, d. at Windsor, 1642.
vii. Ann, bapt. at Windsor, 19 June 1642; known as Hannah; d. at Simsbury, 3 May 1714; m. at Windsor 19 Nov. 1663 Jonas Westover of Killingsworth and Simsbury.
viii. Mary, bapt. at Windsor, 13 Oct. 1644; m. at Windsor 19 Mar. 1661 Timothy Phelps, son of William.
ix. Deborah, bapt. at Windsor 28 June 1646; d. at Killingsworth 7 Feb. 1717; m. at Windsor 13 Nov. 1662, Samuel Buell, son of William.
x. Joseph, bapt. at Windsor 12 Mar. 1647/8; d. at Windsor 14 Nov. 1716; m. 10 or 14 June or July 1670, Mary Gaylord.
xi. Samuel, bapt. at Windsor 18 Nov. 1649; d. 6 July 1672. Inventory taken 26 Feb. 1672/3. Administered by George Griswold.
xii. JOHN, bapt. at Windsor 1 Aug 1652. (4)(6)(8)
References:
(1) TAG, vol. 39, 1963. Mrs. Genevive Tvlee Kiepura.
(2) TAG, vol. 40, 1946, John G. Hunt and Donald Lines Jacobus.
(3) TAG, vol. 41, 1965, John G. Hunt.
(4) Dawes-Gates Ancestral Lines, Mary Walton Ferris 1931-43, vol. II.
(5) Colonial Records of Connecticut, vols. I, II, III.
(6) Waterman Family, D. L. Jacobus, 1939.
(7) A List of Civil, Military and Ecclesiastical Officers, Donald Lines Jacobus.
(8) The Griswold Family, England and America, Glenn E. Griswold, 1935, 1942.
(9) Family Histories and Genealogies, E. E. and E. M. Salisbury, 1892, vol. II.
(10) History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Henry R. Stiles, 1892.
(11) Saybrook Vital Records
(12) Norwich Vital Records.
(13) Lebanon Vital Records.
(14) Killingsworth Vital Records, TAG, vol. 12.
(15) Griswold Family of Connecticut, Edward Elbridge Salisbury, 1884.
(16) Soldiers in King Philip's War, George M. Bodge, 1896.
(17) One Branch of the Booth Family, Chas. E. Booth, 1910."
15. The book "Emerson-Benson Saga …," by Edmund K. Swigart (Baltimore: Gateway Press, Inc., 1994), pp. 248-49:
"EDWARD GRISWOLD (GEORGEA, HENRYB) was born circa 1607 in Kenilworth, county Warwick, England, and died in 1691 in Killingworth, CT. He was the oldest of three (five?) sons of GEORGEA GRISWOLD of Kenilworth and the grandson of HENRYB and DOROTHYA (JAMES) GRISWOLD of Greet, County Warwick. His family dates back to the late 13th century, when JOHN GRISWOLD of Kenilworth married (___) HUGGERFORD, circa 1290. EDWARD1 GRISWOLD marred as his first wife by 1629-20, probably in Kenilworth, MARGARET HICKS?. MARGARET1 was born circa 1610 in England and died in August of 1670 in Kenilworth, CT. "Her gravestone marked as ‘M.G. 1670' is known as the oldest monument in the Congregational graveyard at Clinton, CT (formerly part of Killingworth)" (ref. 1). EDWARD1 married circa 1672 as his second wife, probably in New London, CT, Sarah? (___) Bemus, widow of James, who died in New London in 1665. Sarah? had two daughters by her first marriage, Rebecca2 and Mary2. Mary2 married John2, EDWARD1's son, creating the interesting situation of John2 having a mother-in-law who was also his step-mother. EDWARD1's second wife Sarah? probably died in Killingworth.
In 1639 EDWARD immigrated from Kenilworth, England, to Windsor, CT, perhaps by boat from Dorchester, MA, with Rev. Ephraim Huit (as part of his congregation), or directly from England with George Fenwick on his second visit to the Colonies. Accompanying him, whenever he came, was his wife MARGARET1. MARGARET1, "mother of eleven children, was a real pioneer pilgrim. After nine years of married life in England, with five baby children, she braved the wilderness of the New World at Windsor. Here she lived a full quarter of a century, and then lived for seven years in the new virgin town of Kenilworth," [later Killingworth] "Conn., which was named for her home town in England" (ref. 1).
In the new world EDWARD1 was always addressed as "Mr.", a title rarely granted and indicating he had a strong financial and social background in England -- and that he had earned great respect among his peers in the New World. Between 1640 and 1642 EDWARD1 was granted 150 acres of land by the town of Windsor and was one of the first settlers of Poquonock, four miles west of Windsor. By 1649 the danger of Indian raids was still so real that 'The Gen'l Court, in view of the ‘many dangers the familyes of Edward Griswold, Thomas Holcombe," [etc.] "are in, by reason of remote living from neighbors and nearness to the Indians', frees one of them from training on each training day, provided he stand about as a sentinel" (ref. 1). EDWARD1 was a deputy to the General Court for Windsor from 1658 to 1661. In 1662 he was the foreman of a jury of 12 men who condemned Nathaniel Greensmith as "worthy of death for witchcraft. They found Rebecca, his wife, also guilty and she confessed same in open court. ...The witchcraft delusion was very light in America compared to Europe" (ref. 1).
EDWARD1 deeded his Windsor property to sons George2 and Joseph2 shortly before he became one of the 21 subscribers in 1663, along with ancestor JOSIAH2 HULL (see JOSIAH2 HULL for details) to help found Kenilworth, CT. Most of his children were married and settled in Windsor at this point, but apparently he wanted to move once more. Thus, at the age of 56, he went with his wife and two children, plus newly married daughter DEBORAH2 and son-in-law SAMUEL2 BUELL, to help settle Kenilworth. EDWARD1 served as the first deputy from that town to the General Court in 1667 and the General Court appointed he and JOSIAH2 HULL as commissioners for Kenilworth. This post he held for 14 years. In 1672 he drew up a Conditional Inheritance Deed, which served as his will when he died. In it he made son John2 his principal beneficiary, but named his other children and their children as well. In 1678 EDWARD1 served on a committee to help set up a Latin School in New London.
EDWARD1 and MARGARET (HICKS?) GRISWOLD had the following children, the oldest five? (six?) born at Kenilworth, county Warwick, England, and the rest in Windsor, CT:
I Sarah2, b. 1631: d. soon, prob. at Kenilworth, Eng.
II Sarah2, b. 1632; d. 1715: m. 1/hs 10 Nov 1650, prob. at Windsor, CT. Samuel Phelps who d. in 1669, prob. at Windsor, m. 2/hs 21 Jul 1670, prob. at Windsor, Nathaniel Pinney.
III Lieut. Francis2, b. 1633; d. Oct 1671 at Norwich, CT; m. by 1653, Mary?/Sarah? Post?.
IV George2, b. 1635; d. 3 Sep 1704, prob. at Windsor, CT: m. 3 Oct 1655, Mary2 Holcomb (Thomas1)
V Liddia2, b. 1637.
VI Ann2, bapt. 19 Jun 1642 at Windsor, CT.
VII Mary2, b. 5 Oct, bapt. 13 Oct 1644; m. 19 Mar 1661, prob. at Windsor, CT, Capt. Timothy Phelps, prob. bro. of Samuel.
VIII DEBORAH2, b. and bapt. 28 Jun 1646: d. 1717-8 at Killingworth, CT; m. 13 Nov 1662 at Windsor, CT, SAMUEL2 BUELL (see BUELL).
IX Joseph2, bapt. 12 Mar 1647-8; d. 14 Nov 1714: m. ca. 14 Jul 1670, prob. at Windsor, CT, Mary2 Gaylord (John1).
X Samuel2, b. and bapt. 18 Nov 1649; d. 6 Jul 1672, perh. at Killingworth, CT; unm.
XI John2, bapt. 1 Aug 1652; d. 1717, prob. at Killingworth, CT; m. as 1/wf 28 Nov 1672. perh. at Killingworth, Mary Bemis, his step-sis., who d. 27 Oct 1679, prob. at Killingworth, m. 2/wf aft. Oct 1679. bef. 4 May 1681, Bathsheba Smith?/North?.
REFE
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Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy
Abt 1629 - 1671 (~ 42 years)