Matthew Griswold

Matthew Griswold (March 25, 1714 – April 28, 1799) was the 17th governor of Connecticut from 1784 to 1786. He also served as the 21st lieutenant governor (and the first since statehood). He was also chief justice of the Superior Court, during the American Revolution (1769–1784). Early life Matthew Griswold was born in Lyme, Connecticut, the eldest son of John Griswold, politician and landowner, and Hannah (Lee) Griswold. He was the fourth generation of his family to live in Connecticut; the Griswold family had emigrated there from England in 1639. Through his mother, he is connected to the DeWolf family. The Griswolds were one of the wealthiest and most respected families in Lyme; several Griswolds served in public office in Connecticut over the generations. In his mid-20s, he decided to study law. He was admitted to the New London Bar in 1742 and opened a practice in Lyme. Many of his legal cases involved settling estates and collecting debts. He became a well-liked and respected teacher of the law as well and over the years developed one of the first and finest collections of law books in Connecticut.