Griswold family papers

The Griswold family papers consist of daybooks, ledgers, accounts, receipts, and correspondence of Stanley Griswold and his son Henry W. Griswold, dated 1782-1842. Included are notebooks kept by Stanley Griswold while was a student at Yale College from 1782 to 1796; records of expenses and goods he traded in New Milford, Connecticut; and letters and documents related to his position as minister of the First Congregational Church in New Milford. There are also receipts and letters concerning Griswold's investment in the Connecticut Land Company and papers pertaining to his position as acting governor of Michigan Territory and later a federal judgeship. The collection contains letters from Griswold to his wife while he was traveling through various towns in the Illinois Territory, Missouri, and Kentucky, which reference Native Americans, his impression of Shakers, and a visit to the plantation of Illinois Territorial Governor Ninian Edwards (1775-1833), where he estimated between thirty and forty enslaved people living there. Griswold also mentions buying an indentured African American in Shawneetown, Illinois, although he was opposed to slavery.

There are letters to and from Elizabeth (Flagg) Griswold, Stanley Griswold's wife. Letters he wrote to her while she was with her family in Connecticut describe his work and the inhabitants of the area, including women. One letter is from Elizabeth asking him to return to Connecticut. She also complains about the cold winter and the high price of food and wood. Letters received by Elizabeth Griswold from her brother, brother-in-law, and sister, Martha Flagg, Jr., relate to the death of Stanley Griswold and Elizabeth's resulting financial situation. Letters to and from Elizabeth's son Henry W. Griswold and his family concern family news, her health, and their family property in the West. Later letters written to Henry by other family members tell of his mother's illness and death from breast cancer.

The collection also contains letters to and from Henry Griswold and his wife, Ann Heard Griswold, including correspondence between them, letters from Martha Flagg, and letters from Ann's mother, Susan Heard. The latter relate mainly family news, but also describe information related to housekeeping: problems with domestic servants, buying a piano, sewing projects, and cooking.