Thomas P. Grosvenor
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Thomas Peabody Grosvenor (September 20, 1744 – July 11, 1825) was a soldier in the American Revolutionary War from Pomfret, Connecticut. He attended Yale University and opened a law business in Pomfret. When the Revolutionary War broke out, Grosvenor became a minuteman – a soldier that could be ready in a minute. He became a lieutenant under Colonel Israel Putnam and fought in the battle on Bunker Hill in 1775. At the close of the war in 1783, Grosvenor returned to Pomfret to practice law once more. He married Ann Mumford and had 5 children (one died young). Grovenor built a mansion in Pomfret, (now Rectory School) and it is said Mohegan Indians celebrated with him. George Washington actually came to Pomfret and dined with him. Living in his mansion until his death on July 11,1825, he is an unknown hero from history. He and his wife are buried in a cemetery in Pomfret.
A sample of George Washington's diary tells of his experience while traveling through Pomfret:
Saturday 7th. Left Tafts before Sunrise, and passing through Douglas wood breakfasted at one Jacobs in Thompson 12 Miles' distant--not a good House.1 Bated the Horses in Pomfret at Colo. Grosveners,2 distant 11 Miles from Jacobs and Lodged at Squire Perkins in Ashford (called 10 Miles, but must be 12). The first Stage with a small exception is intolerable bad Road, & a poor and uncultivated Country covered chiefly with woods--the largest of Which is called Douglass, at the foot of which on the East side is a large Pond. Jacobs's, is in the State of Connecticut, and here the Lands are better, and more highly improved. From hence to Pomfret there is some woods & indifferent Land, but in General it is tolerably good and the Farms look well. In and abt. Pomfret they are fine, and from thence to Ashford not bad; but very hilly and much mixed with Rock Stone. Knowing that General Putnam lived in the Township of Pomfret, I had hopes of seeing him and it was one of my inducements for coming this Road; but on enquiry in the Town I found that he lived 5 Miles out of my road, and that without deranging my plan & delaying my journey, I could not do it.
