New Acquisition in Special Collections: On the Criminal Side of Things…

Wednesday, August 10th 1864 10:00am: “James Smith 43 Ireland Laborer married can’t read or write. Fined $5 and held in $300 bail to Keep the Peace by Justice Kelly”
Saturday, August 20th 1864 10:00am: “Charles Furgerson 30 M US Crot?? Polies R W yes, charge attempting extort money from C E Gray No 447 W 42 Street arrested by order of Justice Kennedy and take to Central Office by Sergeant Murphy”
Sunday, August 21st 1864 5 ½ am: “William McI??tee 13 US borne R-W no….. of larceny”
Monday, August 22nd 1864 3:20pm: “Joseph D. Lierney 30 years Irel’d Boatman married can R & Write take before Justice Kelly and discharged…larceny”
Friday, August 26th 1864 11:00am: “Peter Gilsmore 49 Ireland laborer was found by Officer J. Maher at 54th Street and 7th Ave in a sick and destitute condition taken to Bellevue Hospital by the officer and died in a few moments after taken in.”

Special Collections recently acquired Metropolitan Police Blotter 27, of the 22nd Precinct New York City that spans the dates July 29, 1864 to October 8, 1864. Precinct 22 is situated on the west side of Manhattan in the area that later became Hell’s Kitchen. Johannes C. Stott was the Captain of Precinct 22 at the time of the blotter. On occasion as many as 23 men patrolled the area of Precinct 22. The blotter details not only the operations of Precinct 22, but the myriad of crimes and activities around the neighborhood, from lost children (all safely returned to their parents) to unknown bodies. It provides a unique account of daily life in one of New York City’s well known tough neighborhoods through the eyes of those charged with keeping it safe. Detailed in the blotter are many crimes that were brought before a local judge and the sentences that were handed down. It provides a great way to look at crime and punishment on the local level of this era over time. Each person booked includes their ethnicity, age, and whether they could read or write. Given these details, this blotter has potential research appeal in a wide range of areas.

For more information you can contact Special Collections by email at lawspecl@georgetown.edu or by phone at 202-662-9133.