The Riley-Gridley House was probably built around 1780 by Julius Riley, in Cromwell, at a time when it was a part of Middletown known as “Upper Houses.” Riley sold his house in 1784 to Isaac Gridley, with the stipulation that his two unmarried sisters could live in the house until they married; they never did and remained in the house, both living to be over 100 years old. Isaac Gridley was a graduate of the Yale Class of 1773 and had been a roommate there of Nathan Hale. He bought the house in Cromwell the same year he married Elizabeth, the daughter of Capt. John Smith. From 1855 to 1880, the house was owned by Elizabeth Crocker, the widow of Zebulon Crocker, the former minister at the First Congregational Church of Cromwell.
Riley-Gridley House (1780)
The Riley family has a pretty colorful history. Julius’s son was involved in the activities chronicled in Dean King’s book Skeletons on the Zahara. http://www.amazon.com/Skeletons-Zahara-True-Story-Survival/dp/B000JBY0NI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1248789377&sr=1-1
I actually bought this house a few years ago. I’ve found quite a few interesting stories about it’s previous owners. If anyone has any additional info it would be much appreciated.
Also, the book mentioned in a previous comment actually details the accounts of Julius’ nephew Captain James Riley, not his son.