Background
Jeremiah Gridley, sometimes called Jeremy, was born on March 10, 1702 in Boston, the son of Richard and Rebecca Gridley and brother of Richard Gridley, and brother of Richard Gridley.
editor lawyer colonial legislator
Jeremiah Gridley, sometimes called Jeremy, was born on March 10, 1702 in Boston, the son of Richard and Rebecca Gridley and brother of Richard Gridley, and brother of Richard Gridley.
Jeremiah graduated from Harvard in 1725, taught school, and studied law.
Sometime prior to May 19, 1755, Gridley moved to Brookline where he continued to reside until his death. He was active in the affairs of that town, was often chosen moderator at the town meetings, and represented the town in the General Court in 1755 - 1756, and 1757. He was also prominent in the colony’s militia and became colonel of the 16t Regiment. He always had strong literary tastes and at one time edited the Weekly Rehearsal, which lasted only about a year, the first copy appearing September 27, 1731.
Outside of his main career, that of the law, he also had many other concerns. He became interested in maritime affairs and assisted in the formation, June 1742, of the charitable organization then known as the Fellowship Club, composed of ship-masters, incorporated Feburary 2, 1754, as the Marine Society. He was always held in high esteem by its membership and was of great service to them but was never president of the society, as has often been stated. He also became a Free Mason, May 11, 1748, in St. John’s Lodge, Boston, of which he became Master in 1754. On October 1 of the following year he was installed as Grand Master of the Masons for all North America and served in that office until his death.
Early admitted to the bar he soon became prominent and later befriended many young members, such as James Otis and John Adams. It has been stated that he was attorney-general in 1742 but that appears to be an error. He was appointed, however, March 25, 1767, serving until he died.
The most famous case with which he was connected was that involving the legality of the Writs of Assistance in 1761, when he was appointed government counsel. His argument for the government side was dignified and conservative. He admitted that some of the rights of Englishmen were denied if the validity of the Writs were admitted but based his argument on the need of a taxing power vested in the government even though it might over-ride individual rights. He was opposed by the fiery eloquence of James Otis. His appearance on the English side in this case does not seem to have interfered, as has sometimes been said, with his popularity.
Four years later he was named with Otis and Adams as counsel for the committee of the town of Boston which was to wait on Governor Bernard and secure a reopening of the Courts.
His executors had planned a simple funeral but we are told that all classes united to do him honor and that the judges, bar, militia, Masons and others marched to his grave. The cause of his death was given as “a rising of the lights. ”
Gridley was evidently a man of ability who enjoyed the high esteem of his community throughout his life. He was a broad-minded, cultivated man, an able lawyer averse to technicalities, and cared little for wealth.
He had married Abigail Lewis, by whom he had three daughters.
