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.

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

Excerpt from p 466:

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

Excerpts from p 467:

(continued from p 466) "...which was loaded with Muskets and Bayonets   the appearance was Splendid to Me as I was happy to see a force - (alth it look[] near like) to Sustain and promote the Civil laws of Our Country and bring Criminals to Justice   they Stoped at My place + arested only one this day.

"Aug 20   The weather continues dry   the Posses Started Out this morning and Succeeded in Aresting Three [] Doctr J C Allaben My Next door Neighbor  John Beadle Postmaster of Our Place + Wm Morrison a Methodist Cluss[?] leader. P.S. They have arrested 2 others a Sniffin Kelly + his Son. the Old Man is a very Respectable man and a Member of the Babtist Church is about 65 or 70 years old  his son is 20 or 21.  They refused to answer the Posses and also blew a horn to Raise the Indians [] and are[?] Charged with being Indians +e..."

"21st   This morning I arose + heard the Sheriffs posse had arested Several of My Neighbors and I proceed About one Mile where they had quartered and Seen Enough  I found Six of My Neighbors Duly arested   when they came to Start off with them they put them in a 2 horse waggon Provided good Seats for them and placed 2 Men on Horseback armed with Muskets + Bayonets and 4 Men on horseback Behind the waggon Armed in the Same way -- trewly It lookd quite hard to See as I observed Yesterday the Old Man Wm Kelly who Appeard to feel quite bad -- "

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