Family-histories and genealogies : containing a series of ...

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against the Tyranny and oppression of Cruel Masters does not Equally oblidge to
Endeavour, if Possible, to Relieve these Poor People against the Soul-Ruining
advise of some bad People, and also against the Excess of their own Misconduct. .
" I hope for wise Reasons the future Importation of Slaves into this State will be
Effectually Prevented— it seems the foundation for it is laid already. No Common
Wealth can hardly be more hurt than by bringing bad People into it, or making
them so that are in it already. Some men of Sensibility seem to hold that holding
those People in Service is one of the Crying Sins of the Land, while others Congrat-
ulate them upon their Deliverance from Heathenish Darkness ;
. .
many appear Ignorant
of the True Principles upon which natural Liberty is founded, which can consist in
Nothing Else than in a Spirit of Obedience to the Divine Law. .
. . July
ist, 1795."
To the foregoing a few sentences should be added with respect to
Governor Griswold's personal character. We quote from a funeral-sermon
preached on his death, by Rev. Lathrop Rockwell of Lyme :
" In this, and in all the offices which he sustained, he distinguished himself as a faith-
ful servant of the public ;
and the whole tenor of his conduct was happily designated
with fidelity, integrity, uprightness and a high regard for the good of his constituents.
" But, if we descend to the more private walks of life, and view his character as
a private citizen, we shall find the social sweetly blended with the Christian virtues.
He possessed a benevolent disposition, which rendered his deportment truly engaging
in all the domestic relations. Having a frank and open heart, he was sincere in all
his professions of friendship. . . . He was truly hospitable, and abounded in
acts of charity.'""
Governor Matthew Griswold survived his wife a few days more than
eleven years. In the Family Bible of Deacon John Griswold, their son,
it is recorded that she died in the night "in a very sudden and sur-
prising manner;"''" and Rev. John Devotion, minister at Saybrook, in
preaching her funeral-sermon, chose for his text :
" And at midnight there
was a cry made. Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him "
—Matth. XXV. 6.
'"' A Sermon delivered at the funeral of his Excellency Matthew Griswold Esq. ... By Lathrop
Rockwell. .
. . New
London, 1802, pp. [4-15.
"* Her mother Sarah (Drake) Wolcott had died in a similar manner (see JSitftinsfflSFoIcott).
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