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. 485:

"...I and My family has been in good Health Excepting My Youngest boy   he has been [] for Three Months   has  a Torbid Effection of the liver + is Much Troubled with Worms. He is however Gaining I think -  The Antirent Excite[] is Something Subsided    there is however a Strong feeling amongst that Class of People Towards those in favor of Law and Order and I am Sorry to Say I have Discovered Even in our Courts of Justice Much action in Ref[]  So I Must Say our Courts are much Corrupted by the Same   I have as much buisness in My profession as I can possibly Attend   I am now about going to Kingston to Rent a house for my family..."."

"Jany 31  1846  ...The Small Pox is about.  Whilst I had gone to Kingston I passd one town[?] which had 6 cases in + there was 3 Cases in Rondout.  I understand Yesterday there was Several Cases Now in Delaware Near Delhi  -- The Cases in Delaware as far as I have learnd are confined to the ..."  (continued on p 486)

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