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Tag Archives: New York

Early American Criminals: Isaac Frasier’s Strike Out

Isaac Frasier was colonial America’s most prolific burglar. In his Brief Account of the Life, and Abominable Thefts, of the Notorious Isaac Frasier, he recorded over 50 acts of burglary and theft and stated that he committed many more that he could not specifically remember. He toured all over New England and into New York, […]

In the Media: Anthony Lamb and William Linsey Follow-up

Read my article on Anthony Lamb, who was perhaps America’s most successful transported convict, in February’s issue of The Readex Report: “‘Human Serpents sent us by our Mother Country’: The Transformation of Anthony Lamb, Transported Convict.” * * * J. L. Bell posted a follow-up to my recent article about the burglar William Linsey on […]

In the Media: The Last Hanging in New York State

John Warren has just posted an article on his New York History blog about a new online exhibit by the New York Correction History Society. The exhibit chronicles the last execution to be carried out by hanging in the state of New York. The hanging of John Greenwall for murder and burglary took place on […]

The American Malefactor’s Dictionary: air and exercise

air and exercise – 1. a short term of imprisonment, hence “two stretches of air and exercise” means two years in prison; 2. working in the stone quarry at Blackwell’s Island or at Sing Sing. In England, air and exercise originally referred to someone being whipped at the cart’s tail or, as it was more […]

Cant: The Language of the Criminal Underworld

Cant, or flash as it is sometimes called, is a specialized language used by criminals to keep communication about their intentions and actions from being understood by their victims or the authorities. Because any language requires a distinct group of users who can speak and understand it, cant indicates the presence of at least a […]