The Will of Edward Griffin

The Will of Edward Griffin dated July 28, 1802

Edwards’ Will is several pages long written in the language and phrases of the day. It is one of the most descriptive and specific wills I have ever read. It is written by a fairly young man apparently faced with his own mortality. It is an admission that he will not live to see his children grow to maturity. The will is a blueprint for their future. The writing indicates that it came from the hand of a man with an above average education. Edwards’ legacy is still alive in the modern day history of Madison Connecticut. As it is now told he was a wealthy, stern and demanding sea captain even to the point of being more than a little mean spirited. His will reveals a man used to being in charge with strong ideas. His actions speak to a man who hoped for the best for his family.
In the opening lines he writes” I recommend my soul unto the hands of God who gave it……and my body to the earth….nothing doubting but that I shall receive the same again at the general resurrection by the power of God”. The sentiment is one of a man brought up within the Congregational circle. Although the sentiments are very common in wills of his day his personal flourishes indicate a man of some religious conviction. The first order of business concerns his wife he writes, “I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Submit Griffin the sum of six hundred and twenty dollars”. That represented a tidy sum in 1800’s Connecticut. He goes on to make a number of provisions for the support of his wife and children. He leaves instructions that the income from his farm, even though it is on the small side, be used to pay for his families expenses. He indicates that he has issued a number of loans. His instruction is that the interest payments be used to also support his family. From his other assets he directs that the executors of his will are to purchase a farm and home in what every location his wife directs for her support and comfort. It is to remain in her control as long as she remains married to him or until her death when it is to be divided among his children.
Edward then turns his attention to his individual children. His oldest child was Harry. Part of the history of Madison is the description of an episode, which happened during a sea voyage in which Edward throws Harry overboard. The crew was forced to scramble to affect a rescue. From the will it is evident that father and son had a strained relationship. He writes “Paying a legacy hereafter to be mentioned to my son Harry Allen Griffin of twenty dollars”. He also writes “immediately after my decease ….set himself to learn a mechanical trade…except ships carpentry…in such a manner as to make any tolerable proficiency therein” if successful Harry was to receive an addition one hundred dollars. “These two sums constitutes all that I direct to be paid to my son Harry at any time”, harsh words from a father apparently at the end of his patience’s with a wayward son.
In contrast concerning his other two sons he writes” My desire that my two sons Charles and Edward Hargrave be suitably educated for common business” A 19th Century MBA. The income from his assets is to be used for this purpose. To Charles be bequeaths his fowling piece and shot pouch, silver knee buckles, silver coffee pot, the book Ship Masters Assistant among other items and two shares of his estate. Shares to be paid at age 21, “what is left from the part which shall be expended in bringing him up”. To Edward a similar list of items one thing in particular a Masonic Medal valued at ten pounds. He also leaves instruction that the small items from his desk are to be saved and given to the boys at age twenty-one. I seems his intent was a little something to remember him by.
To the two oldest girls Polly and Fanny he leaves one share each of his estate and directs that they are to inherit most of the household goods, mahogany cases and chairs, marble top tables, silver spoons, china, beds and bedding. The inheritance from the estate is to be provided “At her marriage provided she not marry until she is eighteen” Executors were to monitor that the girls did not sell off the most valuable items. He recommends that the two oldest daughters learn either of the trades of milliner or manteau makers or tailors. And that the two younger sisters “have as good as opportunities”.
Edward was a father who wanted what he thought was best for his children. Of them he wrote that it was of the “greatest importance” that they be brought up in “good moral families persons of sobriety and strict integrity” He is less specific concerning his two younger daughters Submit and Julia. I think he assumed that his wife would remarry and what happened to those girls would be dictated by that circumstance. He does leave them each a share in the estate along with a few small items including a necklace of gold beads. As a small aside he refers to his daughter Submit as “my Mitte”. Mitte was named after her mother. The name Submit came out of the Congregational world, a world of strict religious obedience and female subservience. It’s obvious that to Edward it had lost its strict Congregational overtones and he had tried to soften its hard edge.
Edwards’ Will is the will of a Sea Captain. Men that were strictly in charge. Men that charted the course. Strong willed tough-minded men. But as you read the sentiments you see a father very much concerned for the well being of his family. Several things are note worthy. Even at age forty he died a man of considerable means. Clinton records indicate that he was more than a captain that he had also owned his own ship. We see an educated man his estate included a large number of books, uncommon for the day. I find it interesting in the men he chose to execute his will. They were among the leading men in Killingworth were he had lived most of his life. To them he left some of his books to one he left his masonic apron, of them he wrote “These bequeaths are not made as being of value, but as marks of respect”. They faithful followed Edwards’ wishes. Edward's family tree: Edward/ James/ Samuel Griffin.