Roger Griswold, 22nd Governor of Connecticut and
Member, United States House of Representatives
4th Half-Cousin, eight times removed
Roger Griswold (May 21, 1762 – October 25, 1812) was the 22nd Governor of Connecticut and a member of the US House of Representatives. The second Governor Griswold was descended from two governors of Connecticut, the son of Matthew Griswold and grandson of Roger Wolcott. He inherited many of the distinguished traits of his able ancestors.
Roger Griswold was born in Lyme and entered Yale College at the age of fourteen. He was graduated in 1780 and immediately began the study of law with his father, admitted to the bar in 1783. He began his practice in Norwich and great success was his from the first, and few men in this state have ever acquired a greater reputation at the bar than Roger Griswold.
He returned to Lyme in 1794 and was elected to Congress as a Federalist, re-elected five consecutive times and serving from 1795 to 1805. During the time he served as a Congressman his ability and profound judgment placed him in the front ranks. The period covered a portion of Washington’s administration, the whole of John Adams’ and a part of Jefferson’s. He ranked with the first of his party, was distinguished “for his powerful talents in debate and the independence and decision of his conduct.”
One of the worst cases of bad behavior in political life happened in 1798 and involved an Irishman Republican Representative Matthew Lyon against a Griswold, after Lyons spat in the Griswold’s face. All this had been preceded by a round of insults with the entire ugly episode having started over Griswold’s assault on Lyons voting record from the house floor. Griswold responded to the spitting and insults by striking Lyons about twenty times with a hickory cane, which prompted Lyon to respond with a pair of fire tongs. All this happened while other members of the house gathered round in a circle in watched the two men beat each other up. Lyon appeared to be the aggressor, although an attempt to expel him from the House was unsuccessful. Griswold was the first congressman to engage in a physical altercation with another congressman.
In 1801 President Adams offered Griswold the position of secretary of war in his cabinet, but he declined the office. In 1803 along with several other New England Federalist politicians he proposed secession from the union due to the growing influence of Jeffersonian Democrats and the Louisiana Purchase which they felt would dilute Northern influence. Returning to Connecticut, Griswold was in 1807 chosen a judge of the Supreme Court, and remained on the bench two years, when the Legislature elected him lieutenant governor. Harvard College honored him in 1811 by conferring the degree of Doctor of Laws and Yale followed in 1812 with the same degree.
Old Harvard College
Yale University
Griswold served as lieutenant governor two years, when in 1811 he was elected governor of Connecticut. During his administration the President made a requisition on Connecticut for four companies of troops for garrison duty at the start of the War of 1812, but Governor Griswold refused to furnish them on the ground that they were not needed to “repel invasion.” He died in October 1812 and is buried in the Griswold Cemetery, Old Lyme, Connecticut.
The following is on the family monument near Black Hall:
“He was respected in the university as an elegant classical scholar. Quick discernment, sound reasoning, legal science, manly eloquence, raised him to the first eminence at the bar. Distinguished in the national council among the illustrious statesmen of his age — revered for his inflexible integrity and pre-eminent talents, his political course was highly honorable. . . His fame and honor were the first rewards of noble action, and of a life devoted to his country. . . His memory is embalmed in the hearts of surviving relatives and of a grateful people. When this monument shall have decayed his name will be enrolled with honor among the great, the wise, and the good.”
Joyce, Meredith, George, Gwen, Roger, Arthur, Eleanor, Chip, Carolyn, Betsy, Clyde
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Adelaide Lyon Boutelle --- Richard Meredith Bissell
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Mertie Ella Bisbee --- Herbert Hunt Bissell
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Julie Ann Richardson --- John Hatch Bissell
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Mercy Ann Searle --- Benoni Bliss Bissell
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Matthew Griswold, Iron Cookware Mogul Tirzah Pierce --- Solomon Bissell
b. 1833 d. 1919 ]
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Matthew Griswold --- Phebe Hubbard Ely Eunice Olcott --- Noah Bissell
b. 1792 b. 1804 ]
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Gov. Roger Griswold --- Fannie Rogers Benoni Olcott --- Deborah Cooley
b. 1762 b. 1767 ]
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Gov. Matthew Griswold --- Ursula Wolcott Joseph Cooley --- Mary Dorchester
b. 1714 b. 1724 ]
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John Griswold --- Hannah Lee Joseph Cooley --- Mary Griswold
b. 1690 d. 1695 ]
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Matthew Griswold --- Phoebe Hyde George Griswold --- Mary Holcomb
b. 1653 b. 1663 b. 1633 b. 1636
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Matthew Griswold --- Anna Wolcott Edward Griswold --- Margaret
b. 1620 b. 1620 Chr. 26 Jul 1607 d. 1670
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[ George Griswold -------------------- 1st wife Dousabel Leigh: one child, Edward
[ Chr. 6 Nov 1574 d. 1615
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[ George's 2nd wife ------------------ Honora