Connecticut Governor. He studied law, was admitted to the New London Bar in 1742 and opened a legal practice in Lyme, Connecticut. His public service to Connecticut began in 1739, when he was appointed a Captain of the Lyme Train Band Militia and as King’s Attorney of New London, Connecticut, (1743-76). He was a elected a Deputy for Lyme in the Connecticut General Assembly, serving (1748, 51-59), a member of the Council of Assistants, (1759-69) and Connecticut Superior Court Chief Justice, (1769-84). During the Revolutionary War, he oversaw troop movements, military appointments, provisions and focused on defending American ships and the Connecticut shoreline. He also was the first Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut, (1769-84), elected as a Federalist the 17th Governor of Connecticut, serving (1784-86) and was President for the Supreme Court of Errors, (1784-86). Griswold’s last public duties were informing Congress of Connecticut’s ratification of the new government in 1788 and when he was asked to greet George Washington when he visited New Haven, Connecticut, in 1789. He died in retirement on his estate at age 85.

Connecticut Governor. He studied law, was admitted to the New London Bar in 1742 and opened a legal practice in Lyme, Connecticut. His public service to Connecticut began in 1739, when he was appointed a Captain of the Lyme Train Band Militia and as King’s Attorney of New London, Connecticut, (1743-76). He was a elected a Deputy for Lyme in the Connecticut General Assembly, serving (1748, 51-59), a member of the Council of Assistants, (1759-69) and Connecticut Superior Court Chief Justice, (1769-84). During the Revolutionary War, he oversaw troop movements, military appointments, provisions and focused on defending American ships and the Connecticut shoreline. He also was the first Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut, (1769-84), elected as a Federalist the 17th Governor of Connecticut, serving (1784-86) and was President for the Supreme Court of Errors, (1784-86). Griswold’s last public duties were informing Congress of Connecticut’s ratification of the new government in 1788 and when he was asked to greet George Washington when he visited New Haven, Connecticut, in 1789. He died in retirement on his estate at age 85.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith