The Forty Thieves — likely named after Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves — were formed in 1825 and alleged to be the first known and oldest New York City criminal street gang. The Thieves consisted prima
George Catlin painting of the Five Points, Manhattan, New York City in 1827 the slum territory of the "Forty Thieves" and the other Irish criminal gangs
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves were the namesakes of this notorious 19th century New York City criminal gang
Edward Coleman the founding gang leader of the Forty Thieves was the first criminal to be executed at the newly constructed 1838 Tombs Prison in New York City
Edward Coleman (gangster)
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Edward Coleman 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
Forty Thieves (New York gang)
…the second oldest organized criminal gang in New York City. Originally based in New York's Lower East Side, the Forty Thieves were formed in 1825 by Edward Coleman. Initially it was formed to rebel against their low social status but the members soon turned to crime to relieve their frustration. This gang emerged…
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.