Griswold family

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Griswold Family

The Griswolds are an American family with English roots. They come from Solihull, England, where they were greyhound breeders favored by King Edward I. The first Griswolds to come to America were Puritan brothers Edward and Matthew Griswold, who arrived in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1639 and moved on to Windsor, Connecticut. In 1646 Matthew married Anna Wolcott and settled in Old Saybrook, CT. He became Deputy and Commissioner of Lyme and gathered thousands of acres of land, becoming one of Connecticut’s wealthiest men. Edward stayed in Windsor and helped shape early colonial politics.

Many descendants moved to New York after the American Revolution, starting the New York branch of the family. From this line comes Congressman John Augustus Griswold. The Griswolds were influential in state and national politics in Connecticut and New York.

Business and ships: John Augustus Griswold of the New York branch made a fortune in iron and steel, founding the Albany and Rensselaer Iron and Steel Works in Troy, NY. During the Civil War he funded the USS Monitor and later led several railroads. Matthew Griswold VII, grandson of Governor Roger Griswold, started the Griswold Manufacturing Company in Erie, PA, known for Griswold cast-iron cookware. Samuel Griswold, a descendant of Edward Griswold, produced weapons for the Confederate Army in Georgia.

Connecticut traders and ships: Brothers Nathaniel Lynde Griswold and George Griswold founded the N.L. & G. Griswold Co., importing Caribbean sugar and rum and later expanding into tea. George Griswold Jr. ran clipper ships to China and grew very wealthy, living on Fifth Avenue. John Griswold, brother of George Jr., built the John N. A. Griswold House in Newport, RI. Another John Griswold founded the Black X Line, shipping between the United States and Great Britain. Robert Harper Griswold built wealth in shipping and inspired praise from Herman Melville; his fortune helped fund the Florence Griswold Museum, named after his daughter.

Estates and legacy: The Griswolds owned Malvern Hall, Griswold Point, and the John N. A. Griswold House. The family has long been involved in politics and business, and today members are mainly associated with the Republican Party, with some supporting Democrats.