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.

Note: For serious researchers only: may be hard to read, as is the original diary

Excerpts from p. 463:

"...Now again there has been a Great Fire in the South East part of the Citty which [] in July.  Distroying about 15 acres in the [] buisness part of the Citty  I discover that about four thousand laborers are Daily imployed in Clearing away the burnt Re[] [] Estimated at about Six Million of Dollars..."

"The disease with which I am Troubled is a general complaint in consequence No doubt of the Dry warm wether - I tryde various kinds of Medicines - and at the Solicitation procured a quantity of Evens Root and Steeped it in water + found almost imediate Relief"

"August 8th...  I have heretofore spoken of the antirent difficultly whilst setting in My office  I have just heard of the murder of Undersheriff Steel.  Sheriff More Undersheriff Steel Constable E S Edgerton proceeded to the town of Andes where they had a Sale of personal property for rent due on the Allen Tract.  More went in the [lat] to Drive up the Cattle and After Meeting with considerable resistance from the Indians Edgerton and Steel rode through the bars and halted   At this Moment the Indian Cheif Order them to fire upon the Horses, Edgertons Horse was shot... (continued on p. 464)

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