Lost Letters of ADONIJAH GRISWOLD, Greene County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 2000 Gary Griswold Lost Letters of Adonijah Griswold In the summer of 1923, Miss Mamie Griswold, of White Hall, Ill., upon looking through some old books, letters, etc., that had belonged to her father Henry A. Griswold, and that previously had belonged to her grandfather Henry (called Harry) Griswold; son of Adonijah Griswold; came upon the diary of Cyrus Griswold, one letter written by Urial Downey (a son-in-law of Adonijah, he married Mary (Polly) Griswold), two letters written by Adonijah to his children in Illinois, other letters, and also a ledger or account book that had belonged to and been kept by Richard Robley (also a son-in-law of Adonijah, married to Desire Griswold), who farmed and kept blacksmith shop at Waltham, Vt., prior to his coming to Illinois. In the ledger of the said Richard Robley, are accounts with Nathan, Asaph, and David Griswold, who doubtless were brothers of Adonijah; and, as Adonijah mentions in one of his letters "Uncle Doctor", who doubtless was his brother Doctor, it seems certain that the brothers, Adonijah, Nathan, David, Asaph, and Doctor were all living in or near Waltham in the year 1814. An account against one, Seth Griswold, dated May 24, 1818, is found; this Seth was probably a son of David (the brother of Adonijah). who married Submit Evarts-- as was also David Evarts Griswold the son of David and Submit (Evarts) Griswold. The David Evarts Griswold, Evarts or Evets Griswold, and D.E. Griswold that we find early mentioned are doubtless one and the same person. From the letters mentioned, we learn that Adonijah (who by the way signs his name Adonajah), came to visit his children, Henry, Cyrus and Desire (Mrs. Richard Robley) in Illinois, probably in the fall of 1825, staying through the winter of 1825/6. It seems that he came to Illinois, accompanied by his son-in-law Urial Downey, the said Urial returning to Vermont in April of 1826 and his father-in-law returning later same year in company with Mr. Asahel North and Mr. Timothy Ladd, who, with their families were returning to Vermont for a visit with their folks. The said Mr. North and Mr. Ladd being the husbands respectively, of Prudence and Deidamia Swallow, sisters, and daughters of "Squire" and Mrs. Swallow, (Nahum and Deidamia (Woods) Swallow), of Windsor, Vermont, were early settlers in Illinois, coming from Vermont and settleing in Madison County, in 1819, and in 1821 or 1822 removing to Green County, where they were "neighbors" to the Griswolds. The letters of Adonijah and Urial, were doubtless written with quill pen and home-made ink, on what we now call "fools- cap paper", were folded and sealed with sealing-wax (they had no envelopes in that early day), the postage (to be payed by addressee on delivery) being duly noted on the letter, by postmaster, where they were mailed. They are in a good state of preservation, with the exception of one of Adonijah's, which is broken where folded, and where these breaks have interferred with the making out of the words, we will indicate the same by dash, thus ---, In the order of their date,they read as follows: Honored Father, tomorrow, I shall leave St. Louis, for home, in the steam boat Plough Boy. I get my passage to Pitsburg (Pa.) for fifteen dollars. I have company to the state of New York. I have borrowed five dollars of Mr. Rogers and I wish you would pay him for I have started sooner than expected. I have no news to write. I am in good health and good spirits, give my love to Richard (Robley) and tell him to let (rent) the sixteenth (probable description of farm or tract of land) and do the best he can with it. I should like to see you all before I start but as it is so I cannot. I must bid you all good by, may God bless you. St. Louis April 1st., 1826. (signed) Urial Downey -------The above letter was addressed to "Adonijah Griswold, Green County, Illinois". --------- The following letter, written three days after the arrival of Adonijah back to his home at Waltham, Vt. was addressed to his son "Mr. Henry Griswold, Illinois, Green County, Carrollton post office, Applecreek". The postmark was Vergennes, Vt. date Aug. 11, 1826, and marked for 25 cents postage. This letter was really a series of letters, written to several different families, and reads as follows: Waltham (Vt.) August 3th.-? , 1826 Harry & Cyrus & Abbie (Cyrus' wife) Griswold. Dear children, After a long journey I arrived home and found your dear Mother, Brothers and sisters all well and all the rest of our relation enjoying the same blessings, the last day of july. I have no news to rite. After we left Apple Creek, we traveled to Wiker's Grove the first day, from thence to Edwardsville, under the command of Capt. North and Lieutenant Ladd, brave officers who ---------------- the twelve mile ferry in the morning, and stopt to get some breckfast, we turned the horses out to eat and watcht them, Johnson and I walked out to see them and found the had started to stray off. Johnson run and headed them, they being single he could not command them. The Lieutenant (Mr. Ladd) ran to a stable and chartered a horse and set after them thinking to hed them, they run about half mile in the road and then left, and never came in till twelve nite, Ladd got in just time to stop them. Johnson went through broad bareback. Mr Ladd met a man on the road and changed horses with him and he being fresh got there just in time to stop them else he would had to go clean through to Silver Creek. They got back after noon. I wanted that they should buy a sickle so that I could cut grass, neglect was the cause of all this. This man came and told what was done, then we started on, the Capt. (Mr. North) led the van and the Lieut. (Mr. Ladd) followed on, I waited on the Capt. and Johnson (waited on or helped) the Lieutenant, then we kept the horses tied to the waggon. We passed the Wabash (Wabash River). I -------------- to march on before the waggon one day, I heard the Capt. cry out in distress, I turned round and see the Capt. stand by the side of the waggon, scratching his head and abawlin out. I started back and see the cause, I told to lift the fore wheel, he being in a fright started back to Ladds waggon for the ax to cut ahand spick, fel to work; I stept back and took one hand hold of the exeltree (Axel-?) and lifted, and it run rite over the stump. The Capt. soon came two, as soon as it wood do. We had a harty laf all round the board, this concludes that spree. We traveled in good friendship and a merry glee, apassin a bad causway and a muddy swamp. I had occation to step aside, Lieut. faward, I heard a terable cry just as I had got harnest. I took my cane and ran as fast as I was able (found) the Capt. standin by the side of the waggon with both hands hangin down by his side, ------------ what is the matter dear Capt.? I turned my eye to the waggon and found the bed on the fore exeltree, left, and Johnson came back after we had got him come to alittle, there came up a man and brought the king-bolt that was broke, and I found that he had lostd (lost-?) the bolster. about ---------------- had brot it along and left it half mile back. I told them for to take care of him, I shed my coat and ran as fast as I could back and found it (the bolster) and in half anour (an hour) we was reddy to start again. I called at the old Yankes for the rench and he said he had not seen it. Uncle Doctor is married a few days before that I got (Back) to -------------. Uncle Rufus has moved to Pennsylvania. When on my way to Clevelen in a stage I was so lame with a bile (boil) I could not ride any farther the driver put me out at the (place) where Uncle Strong was (living) and tuk me the next day ------------ (some friend or relative) had got there three days before, (we) took water (got on a boat) at Buffalow. I called at Uncle Antonys and he had gone to Uncle Johns and I called at his place he was gone to Vermont. Urial (Downey) lives at Vergennes with Johnson. I desire to be remembered to all inquieren friends. My old friend ----------- and his family & Carl John. Urial will not come this fall if ever. Uncle Strong has moved to Pennsylvania, got there three days before I got there. I cald on (and found them) all well, I am all confution (confused), this it (told) once before. Your Mother a I close this letter with our love to you all. I shall send aleter (a letter) to Richard (Robley) soon. (signed) Adonajah Griswold Mary Griswold -------------------------------------------- When one recalls that Adonijah, at the time the above letter was written, was 68 years old, one must realize that he surely was a well-preserved, vigorous old gentelman; he had just returned to Waltham, Vermont, having made the round-trip overland, to Illinois and return, truly a remarkable journey for one so aged. He was very greatly impressed with the "new country" and its possibilities in the future, as evidenced by the letter written later. He wrote a splendid hand. letters well formed, and showing no sign of a trembleing of the hand as one might expect. In the same communication was letters to two of the Post families, who doubtless were relatives of his daughters-in-law, Abbie who married Cyrus Dec. 24, 1823, and Maria who married Henry Oct. 5, 1826. These letters were as follows: Good friend Mr. Smith Post & Melinda Post. I delivered your letter to your father and requested him to send you 1 or 2 hundred dollers, he said the request good, but he is not able, he had nothing that he can sell for the money. I am a little to fast, I might first have told you that they are well and glad to hear from you all. I cald at Docter Jaesons and delivered the letter and found them all well and was very glad to hear from you and that you were adoing well. A bad chance before tomorrow, and then I will go and carry your ------------- he found that I was determined to go, no boddy that ---------- at home --------- old --------- and I will ----------- and he chartered on of Provoters boys and carried me to the reef, and then I soon I arived at the ----------- cassel and found them all well. I must leve you in God and parte as friends. (signed) Adonajah Griswold --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Good friend Mr. Wicklif Post & Mary Post. I cald at your fathers and found them all well and in good sperits. I left the letters with Johnson to deliver to Mr. Wolmoth. Ahard job to git away from your father that night, (he said) if that I wod stay that night he wod go and carry me home the next day. Uncle Caleb came there in afew minits after we got there, Whoraw, Whoraw, all alive. I was very anxitious to git home. It is the most molincoly time that I ever see, the drouth is so hard that their is not carse (scarce) a green thing to be seen in the pastures or meddows, the grasshoppers are so thick they eate everything before them, the drouth and hoppers has destroid all the oats and corn from West Haven on North as far as I have ben. Spring wheat hardley worth harvesting, poor -------------- no money. Dear friend I want that you wood ---------wood order --------------- and take some good --------------and write them so that they -----------. ----------- run by Charley ------------. Charley I put confidens in you in this bisness,and be quiet, This is all nonsence, I conclude that you may see all (or all see) this letter of M.O. Dodbuygs. I calculate to see your brother and lett hin no what you told me. Agreat many words left out and some put in, have patience and do the best you can. In god I leave you. (signed) Adonajah Griswold ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The second of the two letters written by Adonijah, was addressed to Mr. Cyrus Griswold, Illinois, Green County, to be left at Carrolton, Applecrick, bearing the Vergennes, Vt., post-mark of date June 22, and marked for postage .25 cents. This letter like the former, was written to more than one family, there being one communication to Cyrus and one to Desire, the wife of Richard Robley, a daugther of Adonijah. (Anthony Barton is probable a brother to Adonijah's wife Mary). Adonijah refers in this letter to a dog that was lost but returned to Green County safe. The dog got lost at Buffalo N.Y. This story was also mentioned in the foward of The Swallow Book - genealogy of the Swallow family whom Mr. North and Ladd married into. They read as follows: the first being for Cyrus and wife Abbie, and Henry, on Apple Creek prairie. Waltham,(Vt.), June 17, 1827 Dear children. After a long paus I attempt to address you with afew lines to let you no we are all well injoying good health at present and hope through the blessing of god these lines will find you injoying the same blessing. Ant (Anthony) Barton health is not very good the rest of our relation are all well att present. We have not much news at present. The seasons past has been very remittable this winter past. It began to snow the first day of January and continued snow until the snow was 3 foot deep but not so exception cold as I have seen it, the snow on aneverige through the winter has ben 2 feet and ahalf deep, not any frost in the ground, a great many sheep and cattle have died this winter. We have had along spring very unfavorable for bisness, the ground has been very wet. We have but just got through with our spring work. Our winter crops looks better than it has in twenty years before. Corn has ben from 75 to 83 cents pr bushel, wheat five shillings and five and sixpence a bushel. It is brake down, nock down and push down and tumble down head over heels. The sherif and debit sherif all but ware the road out acarin to Middlebury. Vergenes Bank is started but money not plenty. Caled Post has sold his farm and it is said he is bound for Illinois this fall. I went over to see Johnson the other day and found him well akeepin bachelere hall, he put on the kittle and run into the milk house and got flower and greas and made flitters and started to the barn and got some eggs and bild (boiled) them and we feasted like possums, he wants that farm to be kep until fall he calcolates in being their in the fall. Zadock Robbins desired me to complemt to (you) he sends his love and says that he has agal about 8 months old he lives at Mr. Ingrams and wants you to favour him with afew lines. Dear children my health is better than my dispsion to work at present, I have had the Rheumetism this winter past, but wel as to health. I want to see you all. I want you to remember me to Dear Captn North and Lieutenant Ladd and their wives and let them no that I have not forgot them and their favours that they shewd me on our journey, I was glad to hear that the old dog got home safe. (The family dog got lost on the trip East). You may tell Smith and Linda (Post) that I often call on Docter Jaeson and his wife also remember me (to them). Wicklif and Mary (Post) tel them that I have not seen Capt. Sam Day since I got home. There is my good old friend Mr. Duval and his family, it gave me some satisfaction, his son compliments to me. I want to see you all. Give my compliments to all my friends and neighbours that I became aquainted with in them parts. You may tell Richard (Robley) that I have got 9 yards of cloth for agreat coat, of Uncle Scott, which I shal try to send out this fall if possibele. I put up two hogsits of cider for you to treat your friends with. You did not call for them and I carried them to the still. Uncle Anthony Barton has tarried with us this winter, O that you had him in that part of the country, the wolves wood abandon that part of the country or run into the Elinois (Illinois River) to git rid of him. Uncle Strongs fox (folks) has all bin very sick last fall, they all recovered. Rial (Urial Downey) lives in Vergens and butchers and keeps huksters shop. I think that he will hardley git out there (to Illinois) this fall. Edmond lives at Middlebury and butchers and keeps huksters shop. I fear there is little to be made (at it). Evits (David Everts Griswold) and Chipman (a Mr. Chapman) undertook to git out that (lot) of timber for the arsnel, to the amount of 11 or 12 hundred dollars. Evits was unfortnate and got his leg cut very bad, the bacpart of his leg, and had nearly cost him his life. Damon (Griswold) sends his love and respects to you and wants to see you all and wants to be akillin the porary (prairie) hens. They all join and send their love to you all. Desire Robbley. Dear Daughter. We all send our love to you all. I want to hear from you and your dear children. I want no whether you have got your school agoin or not and what proggress they (the children) make in larning, and to no whether Charles can spell Baker, and what afine scoller he is. I have a few apples I want to hand out to them. Remember me to Mrs. Brush and all her famely, and all the neighbours under the bluf, and tell Mrs Hawley her mother died last fall her father is well at present. Dear Daughters-in-Law (Maria and Abbie, wives of Henry and Cyrus). I want that you wod make out aletter. I want to hear from you all, tel the boys (Henry and Cyrus) not to fret and git in apassion (not to worry over their affairs). William Palmer is destined for that country (Illinois) one year from this fall if life is spard. Elias (Griswold) has ben unfortenate in his famely in sickness, he has lost one of his children, A child about one year old, he has hard fortin (fortune), his wife is sick about all the time, he has got about discouraged, he works hard and fairs hard, he will not be able to git through with paying for his farm without help, he wants to come to that country (Illinois) but he wont be able. The rest of the boys wants to see that country, perhaps Edmon may if that Rial should go, they think their is abetter chance there than here. I tel people that they can make more (in Illinois) in raisin corn at twelve cents (per bushel) than they can here at 75 cents. Dear Daughters, I thought to rite alittle for your mother but she thought their was not room anof and she calcolates to have a full letter rote shortly. I have so much confusion about me that I no not what to rite. I recivd your letter datted the 3 of December the 10 of January. I have red it over and over and wore it all out and had it copped of (poss. copied off) and have worne that all to strings. Now I must come to aclose. Oh I want that you wod rite me about your busness & whether you have got your barn done. I want to call and see alittle more of that country. Silvester has kild about 300 hundred (3 hundred) of squirels gray & red & chipmuck this spring. Adew. (signed) Adonajah Griswold --------------------------------------------------------------------- The following is a letter written by a friend of Henry Griswold, giving him the news back home. It is addressed to: Henry Griswold, Green County, Illinois, to Carrolton Post Office. Was sealed , but does not bear post-mark nor amount indicating the postage. It reads as Follows; Weybridge Vt., May the 4th, 1823 Dear Sir, I reicivd your letter by Doctor Wood whitch I red with great sattisfaction. I was glad to hear from you and the perticular privelages of your cuntry. I remain unsetteled, I yet lead a single life. I am well and my three children. I am looking with a wishful eye toards your cuntry. They have chose me defendant in seven or eight law suits and stript me of all the property I had, as soon as my bisness is setteledd I am thinking of giving you a call. I believe my bisness would be good their. I have had a short intervew with Doctor Wood and he speaks well of your cuntry. Your fathers helth is not verry good, for two months past he is about his work. Your brothers broken ancle is getting better, the rest of your connections are well fot what I now. I saw your mother yesterday in good health. Bejamine Britton is ded and as Asa Laurence and Benjamine Hager are ded, in Weybridge. Corams wife is ded she that was Josef Spencers daughter, Liger Elmore wife is ded, both of of Addison. Orrille Hunt is marred to Ebenezer Child, and Polly Barton is marred to William Palmer. Orlin Chipman (Chapman) is verry sick, his life is not much expected. Stephen Rider junior is dangerously ill. Evits Griswoul (Griswold) wife has gota pare of twin boys three or four months old and Rufus Smeed has got an are (heir) to his estate. I have nothing to right worth your notis no more. Your friend and well wisher til death (signed) Samuel D. Braynard Henry Griswould. give my love to Sims and Richard (Robley) and Richards wife and all old a quaintances --------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTION OF A DIARY OF CYRUS GRISWOLD Cyrus Griswold arrived in Indiana Nov. 21, 1818; sent letter (possibly back home to Vermont) 23, Nov.; one (another letter) the 31, March 1819; received one from Henry (from Vermont) the 2nd. April; sent one the 3rd. April. Left Indiana the 12th. ofApril, setteled at Chesterfield (Mo.) May 23, (1819) sent one (letter) June 13, (1819). Cyrus return trip from Missouri to Vermont - Left Chesterfield Sept. 24, 1819 for Vermont come through State of Illinois to Carlisle, 50 miles, from St. Louis, in the Illinois State; then to Vincennes, on the Wabash River; State Indiana; then 19 miles to Washington; then 26 m. to Henderson of Scholl's ferry, on the White River (Shoals, Martin County, Ind.); then Orleans town; then to Salem town; to Madison town; then to Laurenceburg. Arrived to Harrison (in Ohio, on State line) the 5th. day of Oct., 400 miles, tarred there till the 13th., started the 14th. to Hamilton, Ohio State, 20 miles on the Miami (River); to Middletown; 38 m.. to Dayton on Miami; then 25m. to Springfield; 43 m. to Columbus on the Scioto River; 9 m. to Worthington, tarred one day; 14 m. to Berkshire; 25 m. to Frederick (Fredericktown); 41m. to Worcster (Wooster); to Brandiwine Creek; to Tincass Creek; 66m. to Cleveland on Lake Erie; ten to Shagran (Chagrin) River; then Grand River; then Salem (probably now known as Conneaut) on the Coneat River (Conneaut Creek); then to Erie town 100 m. from Cleveland, in Pennsylvania, on Lake Erie, twenty-five miles from the East line of Ohio State; this State (meaning coast line of Pa.) forty miles a crost; 89 m. to the town of Buffalo (N.y.); 39 m. to Batavia; (then through) Leroy, and Calladona 25 m. to Gennesse Bridge (Gennesse River); through Lyma 11 m. to West Bloomfield; 5 m. to East Do. (E. Bloomfield); 5 m. to Cannadiagua; 22 m. to Caiuga Bridge (at head of Cayuga Lake); 8 m. to Auburn; to Cippio; to Eldrige; 17 m. to Camillus; then to Ammidauga (probably Onondaga) and to Orwick (Oran) Lake 14m.; then 10 m. to Chickabing (now probably Chittenango); 32 m. to Utica on the Mohawk River; 15 m. to Harrison; 7 m. to Little Falls on the Mohawk River; 14 m. to Glens Falls; 12 m. to Fountain; 11 m. to Whitehall; 46 m. to Vergennes; arrived here (Waltham, Vt.) the 15th. November, 1819. NOTE: Chesterfield, Mo. was located in "Bonhomme bottoms, some 35 m. west of St. Louis". Cyrus traveled about 1,178 miles, time elapsed in travel and "tarring", 52 days. These letters were transcribed to computer by Gary Griswold from copies sent to me in November 1998 from Greg Reese of Phoenix, Arizona. Gary is a decendant of Adonijah (Adonijah, Henry (Harry), Henry Adonijah (H.A.), George C., Glenn C., Gary L. Griswold). Greg Reese being a decendant of Adonijah Griswold through his daugther Lucy who married Allan Craw. They were originally transcribed by E.E.C. (Eugene Craw) from the original to his typewriter. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb Archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Gary Griswold