Stanley Griswold (November 14, 1763 – August 21, 1815) was a Democratic-Republican politician from Ohio. He served in the U.S. Senate.

Stanley Griswold
United States Senator
from Ohio
In office
May 18, 1809 – December 11, 1809
Appointed bySamuel Huntington
Preceded byEdward Tiffin
Succeeded byAlexander Campbell
Personal details
Born(1763-11-14)November 14, 1763
Torrington, Connecticut
DiedAugust 21, 1815(1815-08-21) (aged 51)
Shawneetown, Illinois
Political partyDemocratic-Republican

Born in Torrington, Connecticut, Griswold served in the militia during the Revolutionary War. After graduating from Yale College in 1786, he taught for a time in Norwich, and began studying Theology in 1787.[1] In 1789 he was called to the First Congregational Church in New Milford, Connecticut, where he preached until 1802.[1] In 1803 he went to Walpole, New Hampshire, as editor of the new Democratic newspaper The Political Observatory.[2] Griswold continued with the paper until the spring of 1805 when he received the appointment of Secretary to the new Territory of Michigan from President Thomas Jefferson.[2] He served as the first territorial secretary of Michigan Territory from 1805-1808.[3] In 1806, while serving as acting governor in the absence of Governor William Hull, Griswold ordered the erection of Fort Croghan, also known as Fort Nonsense, to protect livestock from raids by Native Americans.[4][5][6] Griswold Street in Detroit is named in his honor.[7] His tenure ended largely due to disagreements with the Governor, who accused Griswold of causing dissension between the Governor and the militia.[8] In January 1808, Griswold lost a trial, which has been characterized as a farce, and was obliged to pay a penalty of $1,000.[9] He left office on March 18, 1808, and moved to Ohio. He was appointed to the Senate to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Edward Tiffin, serving from May 18, 1809 until a special election was held to choose a successor on December 11, 1809. Griswold then moved to the Illinois Territory, where he was appointed as a federal judge, serving on the bench and as a lawyer until his death.

Notes

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  1. ^ a b Jenks, p. 5
  2. ^ a b Jenks, p. 6
  3. ^ Farmer, p. 88
  4. ^ Farmer, p. 226
  5. ^ Burton, City, p. 862
  6. ^ Catlin pp. 150-151
  7. ^ Burton, City, p. 1450
  8. ^ Burton, Compendium, pp. 51-52
  9. ^ Farmer, p. 316

References

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  • Burton, Clarence Monroe (2005) [1909]. Compendium of history and biography of the city of Detroit and Wayne County, Michigan. Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan Library. Retrieved July 27, 2007.
  • Burton, Clarence Monroe (2005) [1922]. The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922. Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan Library. Retrieved July 27, 2007.
  • Catlin, George Byron (2005) [1923]. The story of Detroit. Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan Library. Retrieved July 27, 2007.
  • Farmer, Silas (2005) [1884]. The history of Detroit and Michigan. Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan Library. Retrieved July 27, 2007.
  • Jenks, William L. (1931). Stanley Griswold. Lansing, Mich.: Michigan History Magazine, VOL XV, Winter Number.
  • The Political Graveyard

Archives and records

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Political offices
New title Secretary of Michigan Territory
March 1, 1805 – March 18, 1808
Succeeded by
U.S. Senate
Preceded by U.S. senator (Class 3) from Ohio
May 18, 1809 – December 11, 1809
Served alongside: Return J. Meigs, Jr.
Succeeded by