The Griswolds of Kenilworth
The Griswold name likely came from 1200 Germany, originally being spelled 'Greifswald'. It is said they came to England during one of the Anglo-Saxon wars with the Normans and stayed. Apparently the first Griswold authentically noted is a one John of Kenilworth c.1250. I have yet to come across a family tree that echos this, but I can with certainty show lineage starting in the 1200s and Radulphus Greswold:
1. Radulphus Greswold b. 1279, Solihull, Warwicks, England
m. Margaret Dudley b. 1283, Solihull, Warwicks, England
2. Richard Greswold (Radulphus)
b. abt 1305, Solihull
m. abt 1326 to ? Grome
3. William Vel Thomas Greswold (Richard, Radulphus)
b. abt 1327, Solihull
m. Isabell Grange (b. 1311, Solihull)
4. John Greswold (William, Richard, Radulphus)
b. abt 1362, Solihull
m. Margaret Bromley (b. 1366, Longdon Hall, Warwicks, England)
5. John Greswold (John, William, Richard, Radulphus)
b. abt 1440?, Solihull
m. Elizabeth Verney (b. abt 1445, Compton Verney, Warwickshire, England)
6. Richard Groswold (John, John, William, Richard, Radulphus)
b. abt 1470, Solihull (Kennelworth), Warwicks, England
d. aft 1560
m. Joan Stockley in Yoxall, Staffordshire, England (b. abt 1477, Yoxall, Staffordshire)
7. Roger Griswold (Richard, John, John, William, Richard, Radulphus)
b. abt 1489, Kennelworth, Warwicks, England
d. 9 June 1545, Rowington, Warwickshire, England
m. Margaret (b 1491, Solihull)
8. William Griswold (Roger, Richard, John, John, William, Richard, Radulphus)
b. 1514, Kennelworth
d. 1607, Kenilworth
m. abt 1535 Alice Parker (b. abt 1517, Kennelworth)
i. Thomas b. 1540, Warwickshire d. 1571, Rowington
ii. Isabel b. 1543, Warwickshire
iii. Roger Francis b. 1545, Kenilworth, Warwickshire
iv. George Henry (see below)
v. Mary b. abt 1549
9. George Henry Griswold (William, Roger, Richard, John, John, William, Richard, Radulphus)
b. 23 April 1548, Solihull Christened 28 April 1548, Kenilworth
d. 28 Aug 1615, Kenilworth
m. 1594 Dousabel Leigh
i. Thomas b. 1595, Kenilworth, Warwick d. Windsor, Hartford, CT
m. Elinor
ii. Michael b. 1597 d. 26 Sep 1684, Wethersfield, Hartford, CT
m. 1645 Anne Adams (b. 1605, Wethersfield, CT to Jeremy Adams)
ii1. Thomas b. 22 Oct 1646, Hartford d. 28 Oct 1718
ii2. Hester b. 8 May 1648, Rowley, MA d. 1695, Madison, CT
ii3. Mary b. 28 Jan 1650, Wethersfield d. 8 Aug 1670
ii4. Michael b. 14 Feb 1652, Wethersfield d. 24 July 1742 Wethersfield
ii5. Abigail b. 8 June 1655, Wethersfield
ii6. Isaac b. 10 Sep 1658, Wethersfield d. 13 Jun 1727, Killingworth, CT
ii7. Asa b. 30 Sep 1658, Wethersfield
ii8. Jacob b. 15 Apr 1660, Wethersfield d. 22 July 1737, Wethersfield
ii9. Sarah b. 30 Sep 1662, Wethersfield d. 8 Oct 1707, Wethersfield
iii. Rep. Edward (see below)
iv. Francis b. 1610, Kenilworth d. 2 Aug 1652, Cambridge, MA
m. Mary
iv1. Mary b. 28 Oct 1639
iv2. Hannah b. 3 Feb 1643 d. May 1643
iv3. Hannah b. 4 March 1645
v. Rep. Matthew b. 1620, Kenilworth d. 21 Sept 1698, Windsor CT
m. 16 Oct 1646 Anna Wolcott (b. 1620, Tolland, Somerset, England to Henry Wolcott and Elizabeth Saunders d. 1700, Windsor, CT)
v1. Elizebeth b 1652, Lyme, CT d. 27 July 1727
v2. Matthew b. 1653, Lyme d. 15 Jan 1716, Lyme
v3. John b. 1655, Lyme d. young
v4. Sarah b. 25 Sep 1657, Lyme d. 12 Sept 1690
v5. Hannah b. 1659 d. 13 Apr 1721 Lyme.
vi. Thomas b. 1622 Kenilworth, Warwick d. 11 Aug 1681, Windsor, CT
10. Edward (George, William, Roger, Richard, John, John, William, Richard, Radolphus)
b. 26 July 1607 Kenilworth, Warwicks, England d. 30 Aug 1691, Kenilworth, CT
m. 1629 Margaret b. abt 1610 d. 23 Aug 1670, Kenilworth, CT. Buried in Congregational Cemetery, Clinton, CT
i. Sarah b. 29 Jan 1631, Kenilworth, Warwick d. before 1638
ii. Francis b. 1635, Kenilworth, Warwick d. Oct 1671, Norwich, CT
m. Mary Tracy in CT (b. abt 1630 d. 1655)
ii1. Sara b. 28 March 1653
ii2. Joseph b. 4 June 1655 d. July 1655
ii3. Mary b. 26 Aug 1656 d. 1711 m. Jonathan Tracy
ii4. Anna b. 11 Dec 1658 m. 7 March 1768 William Clark
ii5. Deborah b. May 1661 m. Jonathan Crane
ii6. Lydia b. 1663 d. 1664
ii7. Samuel b. 1665
ii8. Margaret b. 1668
ii9. Lydia b. Oct 1671
iii. George b. before 1633, Kenilworth, Warwick d. 3 Sep 1704, Windsor, CT
m. 3 Oct 1655 Mary Holcombe in Windsor, CT.
iii1. Daniel b. 1 Oct 1656
iii2. Thomas b. 29 Sept 1658 m. 11 Aug 1681 Hester Drake
iii3. Edward b. 19 Mar 1661
iii4. Mary b. 28 Sep 1663
iii5. George b. 3 Dec 1665
iii6. John b. 17 Sep 1668
iii7. Benjamin b. 16 Aug 1671
iii8. Deborah b. 30 May 1674
iii9. Abigail b. 31 Oct 1676 d. 7 May 1682
iii10. Samuel b. and d. 1704
iv. Lydia b. 1635 Kenilworth d. about 1637
v. Sarah b. 1638, Kenilworth, Warwick d. 6 Nov 1715, Windsor, CT
m. 10 Jan 1650 Samuel Phelps in Windsor
v1. Sarah b. 1653 m. Andrew Moore
v2. Mary b. 26 Oct 1658 d. 15 Mar 1715 m 20 Dec 1677 Daniel Adams
v3. Abigail b. 16 May 1666 d. aft 1711 m. 9 Dec 1686 David Marshall
m. 21 July 1670 Nathaniel Pinney
vi. John b. 1639 d. 1642
vii. Hannah (Ann) b. 19 Jun 1642, Windsor, CT d. 21 May 1714, Windsor, CT
m. Jonas Westover
viii. Mary b. 5 Oct 1644, Simsbury, CT d. 1690
m. Lt. Timothy Phelps
ix. Deborah b. 28 Jun 1646, Windsor, CT d. 1690
m. 13 Nov 1662 Samuel Buell in Windsor
x. Joseph b. 2 Mar 1648, Windsor, CT d. 14 Nov 1716, Windsor, CT
m. 10 Jul 1670 Mary Gaylord
x1. Mary b. 16 Mar 1671
x2. Joseph b. 24 Jan 1678
x3. Francis
x4. Matthew b. 1687
xi. Samuel b. 18 Nov 1649, Windsor, CT d. 6 Jul 1672, Windsor, CT
xii. John b. 1 Aug 1652, Windsor, CT d. 7 Aug 1717
m. 18 Nov 1672 Mary Bevins
m. 16 Feb 1680 Bathsheba North
xii1. Samuel
xii2. Joseph
xii3. Benjamin
xii4. Daniel
xii5. Walter
m. Sarah Diamond Bemis (a widow) abt 1672.
Edward Griswold, along with his brothers Michael, Francis and Matthew, immigrated to Connecticut from Kenilworth, England. Following is a compilation of what I have found about him:
Edward, his family and his brother Matthew are noted as landing in the Colonies through Massachusetts Bay (the era's 'Ellis Island', if you will) following after Rev. Ephriam Hewett about August 1639, settling in Windsor. Hewett was one of the pastors of the Kenilworth Parish, and he was censured for following the Puritan faith. He served as the Colonial agent (or attourney) of Mr. John St. Nicholas of Knowle, Warwickshire, England, dealing with bills of exchange, purchase money, sight bills, etc.
From 18 Aug 1658 - 14 Mar 1660 and 15 May 1662 - 11 Mar 1663 he served as Deputy to the General Court from Windsor (a representative of sorts) and was also Justice of the Peace of Windsor prior to 1663. He was granted land from the King in Poquonoc (now Groton), about 4 miles west of Windsor, in 1642, but he didn't move there until after the Indians were gone (they were rather volatile, making the land not quite conducive to raising a family. They also held title to the land until 1642). When it was safe, they settled the area with the families of John Bartlett and Thomas Holcomb in 1649. His brothers Francis and George came to settle there soon after. His homestead consisted of 29.5 acres, bounded at the east by the Poquonoc River, the south and west-northwest by Stony Brook. The house stood on the hill just to the north of the main road. Because of the potential dangers of the wilderness, the families were relieved of military duty so long as there was always a man available to stand as sentinel.
On 10 March 1663, the General Court appointed a committee to lay out land near Saybrook. Edward sat on this committee, and after deeding most of his Windsor property to sons George and Joseph, he soon left for this new plantation called Hammonasset with Margaret, Samuel and John and newly married daughter Deborah and Samuel Buell, Samuel also being on the committee. Two years later, on 28 Dec 1665, the land was secured. As one of the leaders in the committee, he offered up the name Kenilworth for the new township, though the name was corrupted to Killingworth over time. He also helped charter the Church and was elected as Deacon. Longfellow (a decendent of his) wrote of him in his piece "The Birds of Killingworth": And next the Deacon issued from his door, In his volumious neck-cloth, white as snow; A suit of sable bombazine he wore; His form was ponderous, and his step was slow; There never was so wise a man before; He seemed the incarnate 'Well, I told you so!' And to perpetuate his great renown There was a street named after him in town. On 9 May 1667 he became a deputy of Kenilworth until 13 Oct 1670, then again from 12 Oct 1671 - 11 Oct 1677, and again from 9 May 1678 - 12 June 1689. His sons Francis (now a Lieutenant) from Norwich and Matthew from Lyme were also deputies of the court at this time, making the Griswold family the most prominently seated at the time. This being an elected office reflects on the family as being wise and well-mannered.
He continued working as a surveyor on numerous committees commissioned by the General Court-assessing the value of several plantations, laying out the highway between Saybrook and Kenilworth, establishing a Latin school in New London. 200 acres were granted to him at the north end of Lyme in 1674.
In 1672 Edward issued a "Conditional Inheritance Deed" to his sons. Text follows, sic: "To all Christian people to whome theise prsent writing shall come I Edward Griswold of Kenelworth in the County of New London and in the Collony of Conecticot in New England send Greeting: Now Know ye that I sayde Edward Griswold as well for and in consideration of the naturall affection which I have & beare unto my well beloved son John Griswold of kenellworth aforesayd as also for divers other causes and considerations moving me there unto have given graunted and by these prsents do give graunte and comfirme unto John Griswold my son all and singular my housing and lands lying and being within the bounds of the towne ship of kenellworth aforesaid all which lands that ar now devided and stand recorded to me in the booke of records for lands in the towne of Kenellworth to have and to hold all the aforesayde housing and lands with all the apputenances there unto belonging unto the sayde John Griswold his airs excekutors administrators and assignes in manner and forme following: viz: - To take present posession of the one halfe of the housing and lands aforesayd and the other halfe of the housing and lands to take possession of mediately after my decease: only it is provided that the sayde John Griswold shall pay or cause to be payde to my grand childe Samuell Griswold son of ffrancis Griswold deceased sixty pounds when he hath attayned to the age of twenty one yeares. And if Samuell Griswold dye before he be twenty one yeares of age then the above sayde John Griswold is to pay five pounds apeice to his six sd daughters of ffrancis Griswold deceased. And in case John Griswold dye childless and leave ne issue then the sixty pound or the thirty pound to be returned by those that inherit the land to the widdow and relict of John Griswold or whome he shall bequeathe it to. And all the above sayde lands and housing to returne to the eldest sons of George, Joseph and Samuell Griswold the imediate sons of Edward Griswold Senr and if they have no sons then to their eldest daughters. Also the abovesayd 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 parlour and meadow to kepe two cowes during the time of her widdow hoode. Also in John Griswold dy and leave no issue his widdow is to enjoy the one half of the housing and lands during the time of her widdow hoode. And I Edward Griswold al and singular the premises unto the sayde John Griswold in manner and forme afore sayde agaynst all people will warrant and for ever defend by these prsents in witnes where of I have sett my hand this prsent Decembr, the twenty fift, 1672. Edward Griswold." "there is a liberty reserved to exchange two acres of meadow. Witnes heare unto: Josias Hull Jonas Westover" "This may signifie to whom it may Consarin that I Samuel griswold have received to full satisfaction the sixty pounds willed to me by my grandfather in this deed of guift and to be payd by my unkle John Griswold the which I say I received of my sd unkell and do hear by fully and freely aquit him and his heirs for ever as witness my hand this 25 October: 1687. Wintess hearunto: William Barber Samuel Griswold"
The last records Edward left was a testimony regarding his employer when he came to New England as well as a court-awarded recompence for damages. May 15, 1684: "The testimony of Edward Griswold, aged about 77 years, in that about the year 1639 Mr. William Whiting, Dec'd, was Undertaker for a shipp in England, in which Shipp I came to New Englad. The sd Mr. Whiting borrowed of one Mr. John Saint Nicholas about two hundred pounds, wch I had the Bill to receive here, wch money reced. against Mr. Whiting by Mr. Nicholas order here. And at the time many passengers came over, severall of which settled in Windsot and a gennerall expectation there was at that time, as appeared by discourse of many more passengers to come, and some of note, as the said Mr. St. Nicholas for one, by which means Land at Windsor near the towne and ready for improvement was at a high price; and about that time the said Mr. Whiting bought, as was Commonly reported, Mr. Ludlows Land at Windsor, that is, when Land was dear, and I know Mr. Ludlow went away then in a short time after. But afterwards people that were Expected out of England, not Comeing in Such numbers as was looked for, Mr. Ludlow going to England and others removing to the Sea Side, the Lands at Windsor fell very much in price for what they were at when Mr. Ludlow sold to Mr. Whiting, So that Generally, to my Observance, Lands were not sold but at half the price as before or about half the price. Futher, I testifie that the above said Mr. St. Nicholas, living near Mr. Hewett in England, did manifest his desire to settle by Mr. Hewett in New England, and by my observance of Mr. St. Nicholas words and actions and also Mr. Whiting, did apprehend that Mr. Whiting bought Mr. Ludlow's Lands to accomodate the said Mr. St. Nicholas." And September 2, 1686: "Edward Griswold is platf: contre Edward foster is defendant in an action of the case respecting a parcell of pease delivered aboard the vessel of sayd Foster of whichthe sayd Griswold hath reced: no return of the effects of sayd pease to the damage of five pownds upon attachment. In this action the Jury find for the plntf: fowerteen Bushells & Three pecks of white pease to be delivered at Hartford & Twenty Three shillings & six pence for charges & getting writeings for Testimonys & cost of this Court attachment & serving is 6s3d & Court & July 18s."
Edward Griswold died 30 Aug 1691 in Killingworth, Connecticut at the age of about 84, having made an impact on the peoples of New England and earning his place in the records to this day with streets and parks named for him. It isn't known where exactly he is buried, but there now stands a memorial to him next to his wife, Margaret's, resting place in the Indian River Cemetery, Clinton (formely Killingworth).
Sources: The Barber Genealogy. The Wyllys Papers. The Conn. Col. Rec. Vols. I-III. Booth and Allied Families. Various histories of Connecticut found on their GenWeb site. Genealogical Guide to the Early Settlers of America. A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, Vol. II. One Bassett Family in America. History of Norwich, Connecticut
1. Radulphus Greswold b. 1279, Solihull, Warwicks, England
m. Margaret Dudley b. 1283, Solihull, Warwicks, England
2. Richard Greswold (Radulphus)
b. abt 1305, Solihull
m. abt 1326 to ? Grome
3. William Vel Thomas Greswold (Richard, Radulphus)
b. abt 1327, Solihull
m. Isabell Grange (b. 1311, Solihull)
4. John Greswold (William, Richard, Radulphus)
b. abt 1362, Solihull
m. Margaret Bromley (b. 1366, Longdon Hall, Warwicks, England)
5. John Greswold (John, William, Richard, Radulphus)
b. abt 1440?, Solihull
m. Elizabeth Verney (b. abt 1445, Compton Verney, Warwickshire, England)
6. Richard Groswold (John, John, William, Richard, Radulphus)
b. abt 1470, Solihull (Kennelworth), Warwicks, England
d. aft 1560
m. Joan Stockley in Yoxall, Staffordshire, England (b. abt 1477, Yoxall, Staffordshire)
7. Roger Griswold (Richard, John, John, William, Richard, Radulphus)
b. abt 1489, Kennelworth, Warwicks, England
d. 9 June 1545, Rowington, Warwickshire, England
m. Margaret (b 1491, Solihull)
8. William Griswold (Roger, Richard, John, John, William, Richard, Radulphus)
b. 1514, Kennelworth
d. 1607, Kenilworth
m. abt 1535 Alice Parker (b. abt 1517, Kennelworth)
i. Thomas b. 1540, Warwickshire d. 1571, Rowington
ii. Isabel b. 1543, Warwickshire
iii. Roger Francis b. 1545, Kenilworth, Warwickshire
iv. George Henry (see below)
v. Mary b. abt 1549
9. George Henry Griswold (William, Roger, Richard, John, John, William, Richard, Radulphus)
b. 23 April 1548, Solihull Christened 28 April 1548, Kenilworth
d. 28 Aug 1615, Kenilworth
m. 1594 Dousabel Leigh
i. Thomas b. 1595, Kenilworth, Warwick d. Windsor, Hartford, CT
m. Elinor
ii. Michael b. 1597 d. 26 Sep 1684, Wethersfield, Hartford, CT
m. 1645 Anne Adams (b. 1605, Wethersfield, CT to Jeremy Adams)
ii1. Thomas b. 22 Oct 1646, Hartford d. 28 Oct 1718
ii2. Hester b. 8 May 1648, Rowley, MA d. 1695, Madison, CT
ii3. Mary b. 28 Jan 1650, Wethersfield d. 8 Aug 1670
ii4. Michael b. 14 Feb 1652, Wethersfield d. 24 July 1742 Wethersfield
ii5. Abigail b. 8 June 1655, Wethersfield
ii6. Isaac b. 10 Sep 1658, Wethersfield d. 13 Jun 1727, Killingworth, CT
ii7. Asa b. 30 Sep 1658, Wethersfield
ii8. Jacob b. 15 Apr 1660, Wethersfield d. 22 July 1737, Wethersfield
ii9. Sarah b. 30 Sep 1662, Wethersfield d. 8 Oct 1707, Wethersfield
iii. Rep. Edward (see below)
iv. Francis b. 1610, Kenilworth d. 2 Aug 1652, Cambridge, MA
m. Mary
iv1. Mary b. 28 Oct 1639
iv2. Hannah b. 3 Feb 1643 d. May 1643
iv3. Hannah b. 4 March 1645
v. Rep. Matthew b. 1620, Kenilworth d. 21 Sept 1698, Windsor CT
m. 16 Oct 1646 Anna Wolcott (b. 1620, Tolland, Somerset, England to Henry Wolcott and Elizabeth Saunders d. 1700, Windsor, CT)
v1. Elizebeth b 1652, Lyme, CT d. 27 July 1727
v2. Matthew b. 1653, Lyme d. 15 Jan 1716, Lyme
v3. John b. 1655, Lyme d. young
v4. Sarah b. 25 Sep 1657, Lyme d. 12 Sept 1690
v5. Hannah b. 1659 d. 13 Apr 1721 Lyme.
vi. Thomas b. 1622 Kenilworth, Warwick d. 11 Aug 1681, Windsor, CT
10. Edward (George, William, Roger, Richard, John, John, William, Richard, Radolphus)
b. 26 July 1607 Kenilworth, Warwicks, England d. 30 Aug 1691, Kenilworth, CT
m. 1629 Margaret b. abt 1610 d. 23 Aug 1670, Kenilworth, CT. Buried in Congregational Cemetery, Clinton, CT
i. Sarah b. 29 Jan 1631, Kenilworth, Warwick d. before 1638
ii. Francis b. 1635, Kenilworth, Warwick d. Oct 1671, Norwich, CT
m. Mary Tracy in CT (b. abt 1630 d. 1655)
ii1. Sara b. 28 March 1653
ii2. Joseph b. 4 June 1655 d. July 1655
ii3. Mary b. 26 Aug 1656 d. 1711 m. Jonathan Tracy
ii4. Anna b. 11 Dec 1658 m. 7 March 1768 William Clark
ii5. Deborah b. May 1661 m. Jonathan Crane
ii6. Lydia b. 1663 d. 1664
ii7. Samuel b. 1665
ii8. Margaret b. 1668
ii9. Lydia b. Oct 1671
iii. George b. before 1633, Kenilworth, Warwick d. 3 Sep 1704, Windsor, CT
m. 3 Oct 1655 Mary Holcombe in Windsor, CT.
iii1. Daniel b. 1 Oct 1656
iii2. Thomas b. 29 Sept 1658 m. 11 Aug 1681 Hester Drake
iii3. Edward b. 19 Mar 1661
iii4. Mary b. 28 Sep 1663
iii5. George b. 3 Dec 1665
iii6. John b. 17 Sep 1668
iii7. Benjamin b. 16 Aug 1671
iii8. Deborah b. 30 May 1674
iii9. Abigail b. 31 Oct 1676 d. 7 May 1682
iii10. Samuel b. and d. 1704
iv. Lydia b. 1635 Kenilworth d. about 1637
v. Sarah b. 1638, Kenilworth, Warwick d. 6 Nov 1715, Windsor, CT
m. 10 Jan 1650 Samuel Phelps in Windsor
v1. Sarah b. 1653 m. Andrew Moore
v2. Mary b. 26 Oct 1658 d. 15 Mar 1715 m 20 Dec 1677 Daniel Adams
v3. Abigail b. 16 May 1666 d. aft 1711 m. 9 Dec 1686 David Marshall
m. 21 July 1670 Nathaniel Pinney
vi. John b. 1639 d. 1642
vii. Hannah (Ann) b. 19 Jun 1642, Windsor, CT d. 21 May 1714, Windsor, CT
m. Jonas Westover
viii. Mary b. 5 Oct 1644, Simsbury, CT d. 1690
m. Lt. Timothy Phelps
ix. Deborah b. 28 Jun 1646, Windsor, CT d. 1690
m. 13 Nov 1662 Samuel Buell in Windsor
x. Joseph b. 2 Mar 1648, Windsor, CT d. 14 Nov 1716, Windsor, CT
m. 10 Jul 1670 Mary Gaylord
x1. Mary b. 16 Mar 1671
x2. Joseph b. 24 Jan 1678
x3. Francis
x4. Matthew b. 1687
xi. Samuel b. 18 Nov 1649, Windsor, CT d. 6 Jul 1672, Windsor, CT
xii. John b. 1 Aug 1652, Windsor, CT d. 7 Aug 1717
m. 18 Nov 1672 Mary Bevins
m. 16 Feb 1680 Bathsheba North
xii1. Samuel
xii2. Joseph
xii3. Benjamin
xii4. Daniel
xii5. Walter
m. Sarah Diamond Bemis (a widow) abt 1672.
Edward Griswold, along with his brothers Michael, Francis and Matthew, immigrated to Connecticut from Kenilworth, England. Following is a compilation of what I have found about him:
Edward, his family and his brother Matthew are noted as landing in the Colonies through Massachusetts Bay (the era's 'Ellis Island', if you will) following after Rev. Ephriam Hewett about August 1639, settling in Windsor. Hewett was one of the pastors of the Kenilworth Parish, and he was censured for following the Puritan faith. He served as the Colonial agent (or attourney) of Mr. John St. Nicholas of Knowle, Warwickshire, England, dealing with bills of exchange, purchase money, sight bills, etc.
From 18 Aug 1658 - 14 Mar 1660 and 15 May 1662 - 11 Mar 1663 he served as Deputy to the General Court from Windsor (a representative of sorts) and was also Justice of the Peace of Windsor prior to 1663. He was granted land from the King in Poquonoc (now Groton), about 4 miles west of Windsor, in 1642, but he didn't move there until after the Indians were gone (they were rather volatile, making the land not quite conducive to raising a family. They also held title to the land until 1642). When it was safe, they settled the area with the families of John Bartlett and Thomas Holcomb in 1649. His brothers Francis and George came to settle there soon after. His homestead consisted of 29.5 acres, bounded at the east by the Poquonoc River, the south and west-northwest by Stony Brook. The house stood on the hill just to the north of the main road. Because of the potential dangers of the wilderness, the families were relieved of military duty so long as there was always a man available to stand as sentinel.
On 10 March 1663, the General Court appointed a committee to lay out land near Saybrook. Edward sat on this committee, and after deeding most of his Windsor property to sons George and Joseph, he soon left for this new plantation called Hammonasset with Margaret, Samuel and John and newly married daughter Deborah and Samuel Buell, Samuel also being on the committee. Two years later, on 28 Dec 1665, the land was secured. As one of the leaders in the committee, he offered up the name Kenilworth for the new township, though the name was corrupted to Killingworth over time. He also helped charter the Church and was elected as Deacon. Longfellow (a decendent of his) wrote of him in his piece "The Birds of Killingworth": And next the Deacon issued from his door, In his volumious neck-cloth, white as snow; A suit of sable bombazine he wore; His form was ponderous, and his step was slow; There never was so wise a man before; He seemed the incarnate 'Well, I told you so!' And to perpetuate his great renown There was a street named after him in town. On 9 May 1667 he became a deputy of Kenilworth until 13 Oct 1670, then again from 12 Oct 1671 - 11 Oct 1677, and again from 9 May 1678 - 12 June 1689. His sons Francis (now a Lieutenant) from Norwich and Matthew from Lyme were also deputies of the court at this time, making the Griswold family the most prominently seated at the time. This being an elected office reflects on the family as being wise and well-mannered.
He continued working as a surveyor on numerous committees commissioned by the General Court-assessing the value of several plantations, laying out the highway between Saybrook and Kenilworth, establishing a Latin school in New London. 200 acres were granted to him at the north end of Lyme in 1674.
In 1672 Edward issued a "Conditional Inheritance Deed" to his sons. Text follows, sic: "To all Christian people to whome theise prsent writing shall come I Edward Griswold of Kenelworth in the County of New London and in the Collony of Conecticot in New England send Greeting: Now Know ye that I sayde Edward Griswold as well for and in consideration of the naturall affection which I have & beare unto my well beloved son John Griswold of kenellworth aforesayd as also for divers other causes and considerations moving me there unto have given graunted and by these prsents do give graunte and comfirme unto John Griswold my son all and singular my housing and lands lying and being within the bounds of the towne ship of kenellworth aforesaid all which lands that ar now devided and stand recorded to me in the booke of records for lands in the towne of Kenellworth to have and to hold all the aforesayde housing and lands with all the apputenances there unto belonging unto the sayde John Griswold his airs excekutors administrators and assignes in manner and forme following: viz: - To take present posession of the one halfe of the housing and lands aforesayd and the other halfe of the housing and lands to take possession of mediately after my decease: only it is provided that the sayde John Griswold shall pay or cause to be payde to my grand childe Samuell Griswold son of ffrancis Griswold deceased sixty pounds when he hath attayned to the age of twenty one yeares. And if Samuell Griswold dye before he be twenty one yeares of age then the above sayde John Griswold is to pay five pounds apeice to his six sd daughters of ffrancis Griswold deceased. And in case John Griswold dye childless and leave ne issue then the sixty pound or the thirty pound to be returned by those that inherit the land to the widdow and relict of John Griswold or whome he shall bequeathe it to. And all the above sayde lands and housing to returne to the eldest sons of George, Joseph and Samuell Griswold the imediate sons of Edward Griswold Senr and if they have no sons then to their eldest daughters. Also the abovesayd 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 parlour and meadow to kepe two cowes during the time of her widdow hoode. Also in John Griswold dy and leave no issue his widdow is to enjoy the one half of the housing and lands during the time of her widdow hoode. And I Edward Griswold al and singular the premises unto the sayde John Griswold in manner and forme afore sayde agaynst all people will warrant and for ever defend by these prsents in witnes where of I have sett my hand this prsent Decembr, the twenty fift, 1672. Edward Griswold." "there is a liberty reserved to exchange two acres of meadow. Witnes heare unto: Josias Hull Jonas Westover" "This may signifie to whom it may Consarin that I Samuel griswold have received to full satisfaction the sixty pounds willed to me by my grandfather in this deed of guift and to be payd by my unkle John Griswold the which I say I received of my sd unkell and do hear by fully and freely aquit him and his heirs for ever as witness my hand this 25 October: 1687. Wintess hearunto: William Barber Samuel Griswold"
The last records Edward left was a testimony regarding his employer when he came to New England as well as a court-awarded recompence for damages. May 15, 1684: "The testimony of Edward Griswold, aged about 77 years, in that about the year 1639 Mr. William Whiting, Dec'd, was Undertaker for a shipp in England, in which Shipp I came to New Englad. The sd Mr. Whiting borrowed of one Mr. John Saint Nicholas about two hundred pounds, wch I had the Bill to receive here, wch money reced. against Mr. Whiting by Mr. Nicholas order here. And at the time many passengers came over, severall of which settled in Windsot and a gennerall expectation there was at that time, as appeared by discourse of many more passengers to come, and some of note, as the said Mr. St. Nicholas for one, by which means Land at Windsor near the towne and ready for improvement was at a high price; and about that time the said Mr. Whiting bought, as was Commonly reported, Mr. Ludlows Land at Windsor, that is, when Land was dear, and I know Mr. Ludlow went away then in a short time after. But afterwards people that were Expected out of England, not Comeing in Such numbers as was looked for, Mr. Ludlow going to England and others removing to the Sea Side, the Lands at Windsor fell very much in price for what they were at when Mr. Ludlow sold to Mr. Whiting, So that Generally, to my Observance, Lands were not sold but at half the price as before or about half the price. Futher, I testifie that the above said Mr. St. Nicholas, living near Mr. Hewett in England, did manifest his desire to settle by Mr. Hewett in New England, and by my observance of Mr. St. Nicholas words and actions and also Mr. Whiting, did apprehend that Mr. Whiting bought Mr. Ludlow's Lands to accomodate the said Mr. St. Nicholas." And September 2, 1686: "Edward Griswold is platf: contre Edward foster is defendant in an action of the case respecting a parcell of pease delivered aboard the vessel of sayd Foster of whichthe sayd Griswold hath reced: no return of the effects of sayd pease to the damage of five pownds upon attachment. In this action the Jury find for the plntf: fowerteen Bushells & Three pecks of white pease to be delivered at Hartford & Twenty Three shillings & six pence for charges & getting writeings for Testimonys & cost of this Court attachment & serving is 6s3d & Court & July 18s."
Edward Griswold died 30 Aug 1691 in Killingworth, Connecticut at the age of about 84, having made an impact on the peoples of New England and earning his place in the records to this day with streets and parks named for him. It isn't known where exactly he is buried, but there now stands a memorial to him next to his wife, Margaret's, resting place in the Indian River Cemetery, Clinton (formely Killingworth).
Sources: The Barber Genealogy. The Wyllys Papers. The Conn. Col. Rec. Vols. I-III. Booth and Allied Families. Various histories of Connecticut found on their GenWeb site. Genealogical Guide to the Early Settlers of America. A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, Vol. II. One Bassett Family in America. History of Norwich, Connecticut