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 473:

"Sept 13  ...I have Sat in My office during the day   to day I have had a number of Suits of My own - + usually get the Justice to Make them returnable to My Store in Such Cases..."

"Sept 15  ...Attended a Suit in the After Noon and then went down to J. A. Persons where the Sheriffs Possee makes their head quarters. I then foolishly got a Scufling + Jumping - which is not very common for Me   I however came off Victorious Running and Springing off 18 feet which No Other one present could do.  I then calld upon the possee to know if they would go with me in Search of Prisoners   they immediately 7 of them volunteered and we made quite a cearch but without any success   Could not find any men at holm   I however Succeeded in g[]ing information in what direction they were   they have a Den in the woods about 1/2 mile from my house....

"17 + 18   Nothing of Moment accured only in Consequence of the Antirent  [] The Supervisor[?] of Our Town Resignd + it was thout advisable to call a Special Town Meeting to fill the Vacancy[?] the Evening the 18   I attended the Law + Order Caucus.

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