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. 488:

"16   ...My wife was Taken quite ill on the 11th is Now however Much better So She Sits Up the Most of the Time.   My Youngest boy is quite unwell and in Short is Not Healthy Child at Best altho he looks Rugged..."

"17  ...It has all the Appearance of Spring   the Robbins + Bluebirds are Seen Now + then   []  I understand the Hudson is free of ice and the boats are Running[?]..."

"21st  ....I Started for N York to lay in My Stock of Goods for My Rondout trade.  I had a pleasant time in New York + found goods Rather Higher than they was in the fall of 1845    I returned and opend My Store on March the 31st....  Returned back to Delaware after my family..."

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