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

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West Saxon King, and, through the First Count of Flanders, to Charle-
magne. Governor Griswold's affectionate confidence in his wife, as evi-
denced by his letters to her, shows her character better than any words of
ours could do. She survived him, as his widow, for more than fifty years,
fitting for useful and prominent positions her large family of ten children.
She lived to the age of ninety-seven years, in her husband's house and in
the family of her son Matthew, affectionately ministered to by her children
and grandchildren. Her death occurred Dec. 26, 1863. A sketch of her
regal ancestry is here inserted (see folded sheet opposite).
In 1794 Governor Griswold was chosen to be a Representative in
Congress, which place he filled for the ten following years. In 1801 he
was appointed Secretary of War by President Adams, but declined the
honor, having previously requested that the nomination might be with-
drawn. He was a Judge of the Superior Court from 1807 to 1809; was
elected by the Legislature Lieut.-Governor of Connecticut in 1809, and
continued to hold that office till 181 1, when, by popular vote, he became
Chief Magistrate of the State. He died in the chief magistracy, October
25, 1812. In all positions he proved himself a born "master of men."
Of his early career as an advocate it is related by an eye-witness that on
one occasion, when only twenty-six years old, being called to argue before
the Supreme Court an important case "involving many intricate ques-
tions," in company with another " gentleman of the first rank in his
profession," he did his work so thoroughly well that his associate was
constrained to acknowledge " that, after the very able argument of the
very ingenious young gentleman who had just sat down, any observatioris
from him could answer no other purpose than to injure his client's
cause.""" A very handsome man, with large flashing black eyes, a com-
manding figure and majestic mien, as described by one still living who
often saw him,'* he seemed even by outward presence born to rule.
'»' An Eulogium ... of His Excellency Roger Griswold. ... By David Daggett. . . .
New Haven, 1812, pp. g-io.
'»' Hon. Charles J, M'Curdy.
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