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

Excerpts from p 471:

"Sept 3d  This morning I calld upon a constable of Ulster County and acompanyed him through a Settlement Calld Dry Brook  During our ride which took all day I Saw but 3 Men Excepting the Possy: Men Either Keep themselves concealed or they have left the Country  Trewly a Sad time..."

"7   ...The Sheriff has come around this morning [] Yesterday Evening Distress warrants.  This morning calls upon Me to take Charge of a Small force and go in Cearch of Some prisoners  I therefore Take My Horse + 3 Men unarmed Excepting 2 pistols 1 Revolver + proceed in Green County  We make cearch about a Mr Brooks buildings + Succeed in finding one indian Mask but no prisoners...

"One one Ocasion I found 30 or 40 Ladys + but one Old Man  Thus you See the fear of the people of the Law... "

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