Edward Coleman (gangster)

Edward Coleman (died January 12, 1839) was the founder of the Forty Thieves, alleged to be the oldest criminal gang in New York City and the first Irish gang with an established leader. He became one of New York City's most notorious villains, for the murder of his wife and popular Five Points character known as "The Pretty Hot Corn Girl".

Edward Coleman
Edward Coleman the founding gang leader of the Forty Thieves was the first criminal to be executed by hanging on January 12, 1839 at the newly constructed 1838 Tombs Prison in New York City
BornUnknown
Died(1839-01-12)January 12, 1839
New York City, New York
Criminal statusDeceased
Conviction(s)Murder
Criminal penaltyDeath by hanging
Ann the "Pretty Hot Corn Girl", the wife of New York City gangster Edward Coleman, was beaten to death by her husband who was later executed in the Tombs Prison and a book illustration of a typical 19th century "Hot Corn Girl" in the Five Points of Manhattan by John McLenan, engraved by Nathaniel Orr
Edward Coleman the New York City gangster and leader of the criminal gang the "Forty Thieves" murdered his wife who was known as "The Pretty Hot Corn Girl" in which a song was written about her after her death in 1854.

An early New York gangster, Coleman was the original leader of the Forty Thieves, helping form the gang in 1826.[1] Coleman continued to control the Five Points with the gang for over fifteen years before courting and eventually marrying a "Hot Corn Girl" named Ann in 1838. As her husband, Coleman was entitled to her earnings; however, when she did not earn as much as expected, Coleman beat her so severely she later died from her wounds. Coleman was quickly arrested and convicted of murder in early January 1839, and on January 12, 1839, Coleman became the first man to be hanged at the newly constructed 1838 built Tombs Prison.

See also

References
  1. Ellis, Edward Robb. The Epic of New York City: A Narrative History. Carroll & Graf Publishers, 2005. ISBN 0-7867-1436-0.
  • Asbury, Herbert. The Gangs of New York. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1928. ISBN 1-56025-275-8
  • Sifakis, Carl. Encyclopedia of American Crime, Facts On File, Inc.: New York, 1982.

Edward Coleman and his wife, "Hot Corn Girl", "Landmarks of Crime Paradise Square" Mike Shayne Private Eye #1 (1962) (Comic Book)

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