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. 489:

"...I got back to Delaware on the 17 of April + Brot My family down in the Stage on the 23 day of April   When I got Holm in Delaware I found my family all well Excepting M.B. My Youngest Son   he was complaining as he has been for 6 months.

1st April to 25 May ...  We all arrived Safe in Rondout.  The little boy was not quite as well for a Day or Two.  On Sunday the 26th he grew Worse  I calld in Doctor Wales  Who administered some light medicines..."

"...He continued to grow worse untill the 4th of May when Death came to his Releif.  Cince that time we have Enjoyed good health.  The Boy was Buried in the Presbyterian burying Ground at Rondout.  His Disease was a derangement of the Bowels and an information [?] of the Head causd Much No Doubt from his Teething    he was One Year 9 Months 24 days old   and trewly an extraordinary promising Child --  Thus Man May Appoint But God in his Allwise providence Can Disap[]..."

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