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 479:

"...Nov 3 to 9   During this time My family have all enjoyed good health except Mrs. Griffin    She found nothing but temporary releif untill She was Obligid to have Blood let and Take and Emetic..."

"...During this time we have had our Election which came off  Novr 4th the old (Locofoco) Democratic party  After the death of Steel Refused to unite with the Whigs and make a union law + order ticket.  They therefore made a Nomination of the Old School party -- the Antirenters therefore usd[?] considerable economy   they adopted the Whig Senator Wm H. Vanschoonhorn -- and made a county nomination for Assemby + Coroner   They nominated one Whig + one Locofoco. -- The Whig party    Therefore Many of them Voted for the Ticket and many of them did Not Vote at all + a few Voted the Old Loco Ticket   I myself Voted the Loco Ticket which I never have Done before    However in the County of Delaware which is usualy 1000 strong now goes[?] about Antirent or Whig..."

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