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. 523:

"...Having been Engaged in the Practice of Law for Some 16 or 17 Years I Resolved this Spring to Make an Effort to become Admitted to Practice law + acordingly as a [] term of the Supreme Court was to be held in the Citty of Albany the 1st Tuesday in May I Started for Albany without any one to aid or introduce Me   Arrived at Albany by the Up Boat by 3 1/2 Oclock P.M.  Hastened to the Capital and found the Class Arrained and Seated and the Examination going on [] 1st amongst Strangers Supposing Myself to late that I would not make the Effort for the Admission   But knowing by perserverance a man only to could Succeed I walked forward + made the Application and His Honor Judge Amasa J. Parker one of the Judges on the bench being acquainted with me permitted Me a Seat.   Was Examined and Passed + got My Diploma to practise in the Supreme Court of the State of New York as an Attorney + Counseller at Law altho I Never graduated Nor Even had the Advantages of a Common Country School Education..."

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