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. 484:

"I hardly Ever Saw as much carting done at this Season of the Year by Sleding as is Now Done.  This however is accounted for by the fine Sleighing   I had Some 30 cords of bark to get away and have the [] of it done with one Yoke of Oxen   This day in Newyears and the Cutters + Sleighs are almost constantly running   there is 3 balls within a few miles of Me.  I held my Hollow Day by Taking My [] and ax and Getting out of the woods 2 Loads of Bark + getting it to the Tanery which Brings me $7.00..."

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