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. 497:

"...During my travels in Delaware I Saw Edward Oconer. (Heretofore Spoken of as one of the Antirent prisoners from Delaware   he is the one condemd to Death + now freely pardond)  Returning from SingSing prison to his friends the Antirenters made quite a fuss upon his Return.  They were pardoned by Gov. [] Young a Whig Govener.  Tis Ev[] difficult to tell the Effects which will Result whether beneficial or Otherwise... "

"...Irish are Dying daily from Starvation..."

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