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

Excerpt from p 475:

"...The trials were in Progress [] The antirenter John Vansteelburgh had been tryd for murder + found Guilty  Earl Brisbane and E. W. Squires plead Guilty to Manslaughter in the 1st Degree.   The Court was using a good Deal..." 

Excerpts from p. 476:

"of mercy in Suspending Centance in Many Cases giving them good advice and Recognising[?] them to Keep the peace and discharging them..."

"Oct 6 to Oct 25   During this time I have been very busily engaged in getting ready to Moove or rather commence buisness as I have hired[?] a Store at Rondout   am preparing to go there Soon.  I will however Endeavor to give a brief history of the Ocurances cince - as I was last Speaking of the Trials at Delhi I will give an out line of the result.  In adition ot Vansteelburgh beeing tryd for Murder one Edward Oconer a  Young Man from Bovina in this County has also been tryd for Murder and Convicted   he is an Entelagable[?] Young Man about 27 Years of Age and of Respectable parentage..."

"...Making four weeks that the Grand Jury Kept in Session  During its Sitting about 120 Bills was found for murder + some 300 bills of indictment for Riot Kidnaping  Robery being armd + Disguisd + all of which grew out of Antirentism ---  After the Court Cleard the prisons Either by Bailing Discharging or Condeming  its next buisness was to pass the Just Centances of the law upon those who were Either Convicted by a Jury of their country or what[?] guilt pricked So Sharp they were compelled to plead guilty     1st in Order was [] in Vansteelburgh + Oconor"

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