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 472:

"8th  This morning I took one Man and Started for Green County a distance of 15 miles  we arrived in the dawn of Evening + it was astonishing to See the people was alarmed to See 2 Men riding[?] armed.  the Cry of Possee went Out + No Doubt Many Men flew to the woods + took Lodgings. We however Succeeded in cerving Our Sub[]ny!"

"11  ...People are nicely[?] Engaged in Cutting their buckwheat.  the Potatoe Crop will not Average over half a Crop   Oats also comes in light"

"12  I saddled up my horse this day and Rode a distance of 14 miles and it was lonesome to See the condition of the Countary: the posses are early picking up prisoners and the court of inquiry is Still in session Making important discoveries quite Singular   I can Sit in My Office all the day long and there will Not be perhaps 10 men in the Store during the day whereas heretofore there would ordinarily bee from 30 to 40 different persons in ..."

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