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 466:

"...learnt the Authoritys had in Delaware County Calld out the forces and had Succeeded in Arresting 16 persons for Participating in the Murder of Steel.  The Various Deputy Sheriffs Calld to their Aid from 70 to 100 men and traveld through various parts of the County Aprehending and taking [][] Such persons as they had [] Reason to Suspect  in Taking One Man a E.W. Squires they found in his Chest 10 indian dresses  and a pistol which had been took from this Same Officer Nearly one Year ago when the indians took him and robd him of his papers + pistol + Tard + fethered him - The Sheriffs Possys are still in Search of prisoners.

"Aug 14   Still Great Excitement prevails  the County is in Great Commotion  Prisoners are Daily Aprehended. + I Say God bee on the Side of Justice  The Weather continues warm and extremely dry. I took a rancher[?] this Afternoon and found in tracing up the brook that the stream had become quite dry  the water only standing in Puddles the fishes were confined there in puddles  the Boys were Taking them with their hands + with baskets.  I understand the deputy Sheriff this day altho Sunday with his possee Apprehended 11[?] prisoners and took them out of Church During Cervice"

"18.   ...heard the Sheriff + his posses took 15 prisoners this day"

"19.   ...the weather Continues Dry and Warm as Ever.  A[] Crops Must fall Short of a 1/2 crop...'

"...this day the Sheriff + his Deputy arrived in Middletown with his possee of 40 men all on Horseback Except one 2 Horse Waggon..." (continued on p. 467)

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