Background: The diary of Matthew Griffin was discovered under some hay in the corner of a carriage barn in Fleishmanns, New York in the summer of 1916.

Matthew Griffin was born in Fishkill, New York in 1808 and moved with his family to Middletown, Delaware County, New York in 1823. He was an "Up-Renter": he disapproved of the "Down-Renters" (Anti-Renters). His diary provides vivid accounts of both the Anti-Rent conflict and daily life in Antebellum rural New York.

Excerpts from p. 459:

"...The hay Crop from the Extreme Dry weather is likely to be a little over a half Crop,- No grain Cut this place Yet.."

"...So now I Retern to Rest hoping for Rain-..."

"...July 22   During the Night we had a fine Shower of Rain..."

"...After Taking Care of My Horse (Jack) I took Breckfast and Took My 2 Barrel gun and Started for the woods I found in the [] land Where the briers Grew amongst the [] a number of Pidgeons  I fired away untill I succeeded in Taking 10 fine Pidgeons then Returned holm + had a fine Dinner   This afterNoon I Shall go Pidgioning again..."

"...A Defendent for Passing off Squires money Got him convicted + fined $6.00..."

Matthew Griffin's diary courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association Archives, 46549 State Hwy 10, Delhi, NY, 13753.