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

Excerpts from p. 502:

"...In NYork Pork is $15 flour $7 to 7 7/8 dollars Corn 8/ to 8/3.  [] 87 to 91 c per bushell the famine in Ireland is one principal cause..."

"...The war with America and Mexico continues   We have had Two important battels of Late.  One at Beuna Vista General Z Taylor commanding and [] at Verra Crus the well known [] Scott commanding..."

"...The Antirent difficultys which I have before had Ocasion to speak of have again brok out in Columbia Co   A Body of Men to the Number of 20 to 30 apeared at the dead of night at the house of one Peter Sheldon  put his family + effects in the highway and Tard and fethered    Said Sheldon thretened his life If he Enterd the premises again  (They was disguisd as Indians)...

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