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. 496:

"...The Antirent prisoners heretofore Spoken of has been one and all pardond from Prison by Govener [] Young a Whig Govener... I did in January Give public Notice by Printed handbills that I wish to sell out My Stock of Goods at Cost and in Consequence have been selling off daily from $7 to $60 a day..."

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