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 465:

"Tis Not Safe for a Man to Express an Opinion unless he is in favor of their Hellish + Diabolacol plot. I am therefore De[] from Speaking Out what I think    I had a Suit here this After noon before Esq Kelly and an unpleasant Task tis to My Client t[] [] and the witness are all Indians + Down Renters.  Nothing to bee heard only Down Rent + Down Tory[?] + e. when or where this matter will End tis quite impossible to predict.  But as We have an Overruling providance let us put Our trust in him and hope for better things.

|"Augs 10  ...I understand the remains of Poor Steel is to bee buried this Day in Delhi..."

"Augs 11 ...I understand the Authority of Delhi arrived in Roxbury Yesterday Sunday. + Succeeded in Capturing Three of the Murderers...

"...The Antirenters are Loitering[?] about  and holding Councile in Various directions  They appear much []aimed. I propose[?} starting for Kingston tomorrow   So good Night  all in good health -"

"August 12th  I arose this morning found the family in good health   at 6 oclock started for Rondout..."

"...I succeeded in Hiring a Store of Edmund Surdane at a rent of $200 a year. During My Stay at that place which was two Days I heard almost at all times people in Publick Houses and Elsewhere Talking about the Death of Undersheriff Steel and I heard that the Greatest Excitement prevailed throughout the State..."

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