Stealing from the Mint -- Bad Idea 1 1

[RWB]

Stealing from the Mint was usually ruinious -- or worse. This fellow was fortunate.

Mint, U.S.
April 4, 1823
James Monroe
President of the United States
Sir:
On the 25th of November last, one of the workingmen in the Mint (Benjamin Lenderbach), was
detected in embezzling a few pieces of silver coin he was employed in striking, and in
consequence, was committed, by the District Attorney, to prison where he yet remains, and
awaiting his trial, which is to take place about the 11th of this month.
This offence is, by an Act of Congress, passed the 2nd of April 1792, declared to be felony, and
punishable with death.

The above unhappy person is a young man, with a wife and two children, of reputable
connexions [sic] in this city, and had been employed in the Mint about five years, without any
thing being known to the officers derogatory to this character. It is believed, Sir, both by the
District Attorney and the Officers of the Mint, that none of the ends of public justice would be
impaired by a nolle prosequi, arising from this situation; but it is our earnest and humble request
that you would have the goodness to signify to the District Attorney, that this [measure] would
meet with your approbation.
I have the honor to be, Sir, in behalf of the Officers of the Mint ,
with the greatest respect and esteem,
your most obedient servant.
Robert Patterson

In consequence of the above, the District Attorney received from the Secretary of State, on the
14th of this month, after the grand jury had presented a bill, a letter signifying that the President
approved of the measure recommended; and the prisoner was set at liberty.

N.B. Benjamin Lenderbach being set at liberty, Adam Eckfeldt received from the family of the
said Lenderbach $250, and from himself, of wages due him at the time of his commitment, $20
making $270; which same B. Lenderbach had said, his friends would pay to A. Eckfeldt, towards
the losses that he had sustained by the said Lenderbach’s frequent embezzlements, out of this
sum, however A. Eckfeldt had paid upwards of $15 for contingent expenses.

[Hoghead515]

They went easy on the old boy. That would be bad to get a rope around the neck. It wouldn't be worth it to me to take that chance. Very interesting letter @RWB. I enjoy those old letters. 

[DWLange]

Most nations specified the death penalty for counterfeiting or stealing from the mint, but I don't know of any instance in recent centuries when this ultimate punishment was actually undertaken, at least not in the western world. It's pretty much a hollow threat.

[RWB]

Colorado permits use of a firing squad for counterfeiting.

[GoldFinger1969]

Now THAT's stealing....not exchanging coins based on year and/or mint mark. 

 

 

[Hoghead515]

Just the threat of it would be enough to deter me from it. Which I wouldn't steal anyways. I'm so glad I was raised better. I see several of my neighbors and people I went to school with turned into theives and no one wants them around. I'd hate for no one to want me around like that. I've also had things stolen from me and I don't have the heart to do it to any one else. Had a brand new ATV stolen from me. No insurance. Still owed $5000 on it. Had to pay it off and never did get it back. I can't stand a theif. People out working to have something and a dead beat come steal it. 

[RWB]

3 hours ago, Hoghead515 said:

Just the threat of it would be enough to deter me from it. Which I wouldn't steal anyways. I'm so glad I was raised better. I see several of my neighbors and people I went to school with turned into theives and no one wants them around. I'd hate for no one to want me around like that. I've also had things stolen from me and I don't have the heart to do it to any one else. Had a brand new ATV stolen from me. No insurance. Still owed $5000 on it. Had to pay it off and never did get it back. I can't stand a theif. People out working to have something and a dead beat come steal it. 

Yikes! That's terrible! One can hope for some sort of eventual "pay-back" for the thief...but that doesn't correct the monetary loss and the violation of your person and property.

[GoldFinger1969]

18 minutes ago, RWB said:

Yikes! That's terrible! One can hope for some sort of eventual "pay-back" for the thief...but that doesn't correct the monetary loss and the violation of your person and property.

There are bad people out there, whether big timers like Bernie Madoff or local scamsters. 

My mother wanted some designer living room cabinets to store nick-nacks and family portraits and stuff.....very expensive, about $7,000 to build a pair....my father gave half down to someone recommended by the builder and their new neighbors....guy took the money and never did anything, his business was basically Chapter 11 and he was milking/stealing from the last people he could.  Dad got a judgement against the guy FWIW but he never saw a single dollar back.

Thankfully, my father has a good investment manager  who made him some nice $$$ and he ate the $3,000 loss, Mom got her new cabinets, and she never had to wonder "what if" by going with the cheap ones the builder would have installed instead.

Edited April 26, 2021 by GoldFinger1969

[Alex in PA.]

18 hours ago, Hoghead515 said:

They went easy on the old boy.

You got that right.  The fellow in question got OFF rather than the NOOSE.

Edited April 26, 2021 by Alex in PA.
Spelling again and again and again!

[StrikeOutXXX]

David:

Poor Thomas Davis would be one example in 1822.

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024513/1823-01-06/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=1777&index=8&rows=20&words=counterfeiting+executed&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=&date2=1963&proxtext=executed+for+counterfeiting&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

and:

http://genealogytrails.com/ala/tuscaloosa/news_crime.html

There are 30 folks listed for being executed for Counterfeiting here:

https://files.deathpenaltyinfo.org/legacy/documents/ESPYname.pdf

Edited April 27, 2021 by StrikeOutXXX

[Hoghead515]

15 minutes ago, StrikeOutXXX said:

David:

Poor Thomas Davis would be one example in 1822.

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024513/1823-01-06/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=1777&index=8&rows=20&words=counterfeiting+executed&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=&date2=1963&proxtext=executed+for+counterfeiting&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

and:

http://genealogytrails.com/ala/tuscaloosa/news_crime.html

There are 30 folks listed for being executed for Counterfeiting here:

https://files.deathpenaltyinfo.org/legacy/documents/ESPYname.pdf

That's a whole lot of dollars. I'm sure several were seized and destroyed but imagine how many are still out there. They made an example out of that old boy. Wonder if he got the firing squad. 

[Hoghead515]

1 minute ago, Hoghead515 said:

That's a whole lot of dollars. I'm sure several were seized and destroyed but imagine how many are still out there. They made an example out of that old boy. Wonder if he got the firing squad. 

Nevermind. Seen in other link posted he was hung. Thank you for sharing. 

[StrikeOutXXX]

Oops - 31 on the list (29 names, 2 unknowns).  Let's see how this formats.  Would make an interesting book researching all the death penalties for counterfeiting.  Probably a side of numismatics not very often researched.

 

Executions in the U.S. 1608-2002: The ESPY File

 

Name (Last First)	Race	Age	Sex	Crime	Method	Day	Month	Year	State
Brock Nicholas	Unk		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging			1764	NY
Chamberlain Richard	White		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	25	11	1780	PA
Davis Thomas	White	60	M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	11	10	1822	AL
Greden Alexandro	White		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	15	8	1783	LA
Guillermo Jones	White		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	15	8	1783	LA
Hunt Edward	White		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	19	11	1720	PA
Jackson Lowe	White	24	M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	13	4	1753	VA
Jacobs John	White		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	21	2	1777	SC
Jaeger Heinrich	White	63	M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	16	7	1748	NJ
Jillett William	White		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging		10	1752	NC
Jubeart John	White	68	M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	6	9	1769	NY
Mcallister John	White		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	3	6	1775	PA
Nagle Philip	Unk		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	8	7	1788	PA
Nelms Noyle	White	65	M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	29	9	1816	GA
Patton Nathaniel	White		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	8	12	1779	PA
Repton Bernard	Unk		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	30	4	1774	PA
Reynolds David	White	30	M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	17	9	1773	NJ
Roberts James	White		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	17	6	1780	PA
Rosikrans Herman	White		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	5	5	1770	PA
Shocky Christopher	White		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	11	12	1779	PA
Smith John	White		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging			1773	NY
Stevens John	White		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	21	8	1744	NY
Stewart Alexander	White		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	3	6	1775	PA
Stewart John	White		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	27	10	1787	GA
Sullivan Owen	White		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	10	5	1756	NY
Trout Henery	White		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	8	12	1779	PA
Ware John	White		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	2	4	1773	NY
Westmore Charles	White		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	27	10	1787	GA
Yager Hendrick	White		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging			1772	NY
Unk	Unk		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	2	4	1773	NY
Unk	White		M	Counterfeiting	Hanging	2	4	1773	NY

[RWB]

Wow! That's quite a list. Sounds like StrkieoutXXX has the beginnings of an interesting numismatic article!

[Several defalcations are mentioned in From Mine to Mint (near the back), but no conviction resulting in execution of the guilty party. A few got away with their loot. Most were put in jail.]

[bsshog40]

I think that would make me think twice about dropping a coin in my pocket also. Lol 

[Hoghead515]

41 minutes ago, bsshog40 said:

I think that would make me think twice about dropping a coin in my pocket also. Lol 

Me to. I'd be afraid to pack my own money from home with me. Lol. Be afraid they think it was theirs. 

[Hoghead515]

They should have lined all the mint workers up and made them watch the executions and that would have probably deterred it more. That would be enough to keep an honest man honest. Would me anyways. 

[GoldFinger1969]

Today they have super-sensitive scanners at the various mints that makes it impossible to even steal a few gold shavings that fall on the floor.

[DWLange]

All of the listings were likely state convictions, which tend to be more punitive than federal ones. I suspect that all or most were for counterfeiting state notes, which were way too easy to fake or alter.

[Hoghead515]

If you notice there weren't any women hung.  Wonder how many were in on it with their husband's. 

[RWB]

1 hour ago, Hoghead515 said:

If you notice there weren't any women hung.  Wonder how many were in on it with their husband's. 

Three women in this gang. The Ingersol Gang specialized in nickels - most commonly used coin in America due to railroad (transit) fares.

Edited April 27, 2021 by RWB

[StrikeOutXXX]

 

I found most of the 31 with some Googling.  Most were currency, and given most of the dates, even the coin related ones weren't US Coinage:

 

Brock, Nicholas: 18 years old. Passed a single $1 counterfeit bill. Skeleton kept on display in Dr. Office (Article in the middle just under the flag)

https://gahistoricnewspapers-files.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn86053071/1854-08-01/ed-1/seq-1.pdf

 

Chamberlain, Richard: 100 Continental Dollars from Chamberlain’s press

http://www.executedtoday.com/2008/11/25/1780-david-dawson-ralph-morden-quakers-treason/

 

Davis, Thomas: 38 Years counterfeiting State Bank Notes between 600,000 and 1,000,000 dollars

https://algenweb.org/shelby/AlabamaCounterfeiters.pdf

 

Greden, Alexandro (Alexander) and Guillermo, Jones (William): Several 10, 2.5, 2 and 1 Peso notes

https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/217386534.pdf

 

Hunt, Edward:  Counterfeiting Spanish silver coin

http://www.executedtoday.com/2013/11/19/1720-edward-hunt-counterfeiter-colonial-pennsylvania/

 

Jackson, Lowe: Silversmith made Spanish doubloons

https://research.colonialwilliamsburg.org/Foundation/journal/Summer07/counterfeit_sidebar.cfm

 

Jacobs, John: Issuing counterfeit money

https://books.google.com/books?id=N7cmoZiEmy8C&pg=PA568&lpg=PA568&dq=john+jacobs+1777+counterfeit&source=bl&ots=HQeNQABu4M&sig=ACfU3U0UYWbXJV35cXBkIzyZM3_gTlDn0w&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjFmqbT3Z7wAhXQmOAKHQCaC9AQ6AEwEnoECBIQAw#v=onepage&q=john%20jacobs%201777%20counterfeit&f=false

 

Jaeger, Heinrich: Made 40 Shillings, passed 15 Shillings

http://numismatics.org/digitallibrary/ark:/53695/nnan49620

 

Jillett, William: Blacksmith, made making Doubloons, Pistoles, Pieces of Eight and half Pistereens

https://www.executedtoday.com/tag/william-jillet/

 

Jubeart, John: Blacksmith, Die struck, milled edges pillar dollars (1763 1761)

http://numismatics.org/digitallibrary/ark:/53695/nnan85824

 

Mcallister, John: Counterfeiting the Bills of Credit of the Providence (Pennsylvania)

https://books.google.com/books?id=qLQUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA256&lpg=PA256&dq=Mcallister+John+1775+counterfeit+PA&source=bl&ots=FpEG2azR3U&sig=ACfU3U1agsZbP27x-z8D7lc8BRlMw6UW7g&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjJt6j8x5_wAhVmGVkFHVg7BVAQ6AEwD3oECBIQAw#v=onepage&q=Mcallister%20John%201775%20counterfeit%20PA&f=false

 

Nagle, Philip: Uttering base and counterfeited coin

https://books.google.com/books?id=xKo-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA476&lpg=PA476&dq=Philip+Nagle+1788+PA+hanged&source=bl&ots=VcD01UANA6&sig=ACfU3U1YZEv5U40aC6eGGWcSUQZwlSyy_Q&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjX67DWyZ_wAhViTd8KHZb6AgAQ6AEwBHoECAEQAw#v=onepage&q=nagle&f=false

 

Nelms, Noyle: passing counterfeit bills on the State Bank of South Caroline

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Nelms-34

 

Patton, Nathaniel: Passing counterfeit money

https://cdn.website-editor.net/020d9c979f77483189db333592c7de7f/files/uploaded/Colonial%2520Records%2520of%2520Pennsylvania%2520Vol%2520XII.pdf

 

Repton, Bernard: for Counterfeiting the Bills of Credit of this Province (Pennsylvania)

http://numismatics.org/digitallibrary/ark:/53695/nnan119745

 

Reynolds, David: counterfeiting currency for the colonies of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York

https://www.revolutionarywarnewjersey.com/new_jersey_revolutionary_war_sites/towns/hampton_nj_revolutionary_war_sites.htm

 

Roberts, James: Passing counterfeit money and knowing it to be such

https://books.google.com/books?id=Rqk-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA375&lpg=PA375&dq=%22james+roberts%22+1780+counterfeit&source=bl&ots=DkhksDPIim&sig=ACfU3U0o0gJMkutW2bKY4Wr3Cdr1jIlOmw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjxqdmNz5_wAhUAFFkFHdNQAWQQ6AEwBnoECAkQAw#v=onepage&q=%22james%20roberts%22%20&f=false

 

Rosikrans, Herman: Counterfeiting the $3 Paper Bills of Credit and passed 2 of them knowing to be fake

https://books.google.com/books?id=3xxEAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA666&lpg=PA666&dq=Rosikrans,+Herman+counterfeit&source=bl&ots=8H6cH0erPo&sig=ACfU3U2gKQfdlvJUVHF_xV4Ape2_K33prA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjbg4zIz5_wAhUKMVkFHT2KCV8Q6AEwAnoECAIQAw#v=onepage&q=Rosikrans%2C%20Herman%20counterfeit&f=false

 

Shocky, Christopher (Shockey): Counterfeit Virginia money

https://www.krishocker.com/shockeys-counterfeit-currency/

 

Smith, John: Counterfeiting the currency of the province of New York

https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/2018/04/18th-century-warning-tis-death-to-counterfeit/

 

Stevens, John: Counterfeiting paper currency of New York

http://numismatics.org/digitallibrary/ark:/53695/nnan85824

 

Stewart, Alexander (Andrew): Counterfeiting and uttering the Fifty Shilling Bills of the Province of Pennsylvana

http://numismatics.org/digitallibrary/ark:/53695/nnan119745

 

Stewart, John: ?

 

Sullivan, Owen (Syllavan): counterfeiting and passing the current bills of that colony emitted in the year 1737

https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=evans;idno=N06140.0001.001

 

Trout, Henery (Henry): Passing counterfeit money

https://cdn.website-editor.net/020d9c979f77483189db333592c7de7f/files/uploaded/Colonial%20Records%20of%20Pennsylvania%20Vol%20XII.pdf

 

Ware, John ?

 

Westmore, Charles ?

 

Yager, Hendrick?

 

Unk & Unk: ISAAC JONES AND HIS GANG

http://numismatics.org/digitallibrary/ark:/53695/nnan72127

I think the saddest of them all was Nicholas Brock.  18 years old, and passed a single dollar.

 

[RWB]

Good stuff.

[Hoghead515]

9 hours ago, StrikeOutXXX said:

 

I found most of the 31 with some Googling.  Most were currency, and given most of the dates, even the coin related ones weren't US Coinage:

 

Brock, Nicholas: 18 years old. Passed a single $1 counterfeit bill. Skeleton kept on display in Dr. Office (Article in the middle just under the flag)

 

https://gahistoricnewspapers-files.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn86053071/1854-08-01/ed-1/seq-1.pdf

 

 

 

Chamberlain, Richard: 100 Continental Dollars from Chamberlain’s press

 

http://www.executedtoday.com/2008/11/25/1780-david-dawson-ralph-morden-quakers-treason/

 

 

 

Davis, Thomas: 38 Years counterfeiting State Bank Notes between 600,000 and 1,000,000 dollars

 

https://algenweb.org/shelby/AlabamaCounterfeiters.pdf

 

 

 

Greden, Alexandro (Alexander) and Guillermo, Jones (William): Several 10, 2.5, 2 and 1 Peso notes

 

https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/217386534.pdf

 

 

 

Hunt, Edward:  Counterfeiting Spanish silver coin

 

http://www.executedtoday.com/2013/11/19/1720-edward-hunt-counterfeiter-colonial-pennsylvania/

 

 

 

Jackson, Lowe: Silversmith made Spanish doubloons

 

https://research.colonialwilliamsburg.org/Foundation/journal/Summer07/counterfeit_sidebar.cfm

 

 

 

Jacobs, John: Issuing counterfeit money

 

https://books.google.com/books?id=N7cmoZiEmy8C&pg=PA568&lpg=PA568&dq=john+jacobs+1777+counterfeit&source=bl&ots=HQeNQABu4M&sig=ACfU3U0UYWbXJV35cXBkIzyZM3_gTlDn0w&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjFmqbT3Z7wAhXQmOAKHQCaC9AQ6AEwEnoECBIQAw#v=onepage&q=john%20jacobs%201777%20counterfeit&f=false

 

 

 

Jaeger, Heinrich: Made 40 Shillings, passed 15 Shillings

 

http://numismatics.org/digitallibrary/ark:/53695/nnan49620

 

 

 

Jillett, William: Blacksmith, made making Doubloons, Pistoles, Pieces of Eight and half Pistereens

 

https://www.executedtoday.com/tag/william-jillet/

 

 

 

Jubeart, John: Blacksmith, Die struck, milled edges pillar dollars (1763 1761)

 

http://numismatics.org/digitallibrary/ark:/53695/nnan85824

 

 

 

Mcallister, John: Counterfeiting the Bills of Credit of the Providence (Pennsylvania)

 

https://books.google.com/books?id=qLQUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA256&lpg=PA256&dq=Mcallister+John+1775+counterfeit+PA&source=bl&ots=FpEG2azR3U&sig=ACfU3U1agsZbP27x-z8D7lc8BRlMw6UW7g&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjJt6j8x5_wAhVmGVkFHVg7BVAQ6AEwD3oECBIQAw#v=onepage&q=Mcallister%20John%201775%20counterfeit%20PA&f=false

 

 

 

Nagle, Philip: Uttering base and counterfeited coin

 

https://books.google.com/books?id=xKo-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA476&lpg=PA476&dq=Philip+Nagle+1788+PA+hanged&source=bl&ots=VcD01UANA6&sig=ACfU3U1YZEv5U40aC6eGGWcSUQZwlSyy_Q&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjX67DWyZ_wAhViTd8KHZb6AgAQ6AEwBHoECAEQAw#v=onepage&q=nagle&f=false

 

 

 

Nelms, Noyle: passing counterfeit bills on the State Bank of South Caroline

 

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Nelms-34

 

 

 

Patton, Nathaniel: Passing counterfeit money

 

https://cdn.website-editor.net/020d9c979f77483189db333592c7de7f/files/uploaded/Colonial%2520Records%2520of%2520Pennsylvania%2520Vol%2520XII.pdf

 

 

 

Repton, Bernard: for Counterfeiting the Bills of Credit of this Province (Pennsylvania)

 

http://numismatics.org/digitallibrary/ark:/53695/nnan119745

 

 

 

Reynolds, David: counterfeiting currency for the colonies of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York

 

https://www.revolutionarywarnewjersey.com/new_jersey_revolutionary_war_sites/towns/hampton_nj_revolutionary_war_sites.htm

 

 

 

Roberts, James: Passing counterfeit money and knowing it to be such

 

https://books.google.com/books?id=Rqk-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA375&lpg=PA375&dq=%22james+roberts%22+1780+counterfeit&source=bl&ots=DkhksDPIim&sig=ACfU3U0o0gJMkutW2bKY4Wr3Cdr1jIlOmw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjxqdmNz5_wAhUAFFkFHdNQAWQQ6AEwBnoECAkQAw#v=onepage&q=%22james%20roberts%22%20&f=false

 

 

 

Rosikrans, Herman: Counterfeiting the $3 Paper Bills of Credit and passed 2 of them knowing to be fake

 

https://books.google.com/books?id=3xxEAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA666&lpg=PA666&dq=Rosikrans,+Herman+counterfeit&source=bl&ots=8H6cH0erPo&sig=ACfU3U2gKQfdlvJUVHF_xV4Ape2_K33prA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjbg4zIz5_wAhUKMVkFHT2KCV8Q6AEwAnoECAIQAw#v=onepage&q=Rosikrans%2C%20Herman%20counterfeit&f=false

 

 

 

Shocky, Christopher (Shockey): Counterfeit Virginia money

 

https://www.krishocker.com/shockeys-counterfeit-currency/

 

 

 

Smith, John: Counterfeiting the currency of the province of New York

 

https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/2018/04/18th-century-warning-tis-death-to-counterfeit/

 

 

 

Stevens, John: Counterfeiting paper currency of New York

 

http://numismatics.org/digitallibrary/ark:/53695/nnan85824

 

 

 

Stewart, Alexander (Andrew): Counterfeiting and uttering the Fifty Shilling Bills of the Province of Pennsylvana

 

http://numismatics.org/digitallibrary/ark:/53695/nnan119745

 

 

 

Stewart, John: ?

 

 

 

Sullivan, Owen (Syllavan): counterfeiting and passing the current bills of that colony emitted in the year 1737

 

https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=evans;idno=N06140.0001.001

 

 

 

Trout, Henery (Henry): Passing counterfeit money

 

https://cdn.website-editor.net/020d9c979f77483189db333592c7de7f/files/uploaded/Colonial%20Records%20of%20Pennsylvania%20Vol%20XII.pdf

 

 

 

Ware, John ?

 

 

 

Westmore, Charles ?

 

 

 

Yager, Hendrick?

 

 

 

Unk & Unk: ISAAC JONES AND HIS GANG

 

http://numismatics.org/digitallibrary/ark:/53695/nnan72127

 

 

I think the saddest of them all was Nicholas Brock.  18 years old, and passed a single dollar.

 

Thank you for putting in the research and sharing. I've been wanting to learn more about this. 

[Hoghead515]

That poor old boy there in the last articles sure got hit a hard lick. That would have probably been my first lie. It being just one dollar they should have just gave him a little jail time. I could understand if it were several or if he was making them. Old boy was awful young. 

[Henri Charriere]

On 4/26/2021 at 12:08 PM, Hoghead515 said:

Just the threat of it would be enough to deter me from it. Which I wouldn't steal anyways. I'm so glad I was raised better. I see several of my neighbors and people I went to school with turned into theives and no one wants them around. I'd hate for no one to want me around like that. I've also had things stolen from me and I don't have the heart to do it to any one else. Had a brand new ATV stolen from me. No insurance. Still owed $5000 on it. Had to pay it off and never did get it back. I can't stand a theif. People out working to have something and a dead beat come steal it. 

[And generally overlooked is the fact that that $5,000 is a pittance compared to the cost borne by the tax-paying public to keep that man behind bars.]

[Alex in PA.]

During those times people, and courts, took stealing, or theft, very seriously.  For example, stealing a horse and getting caught resulted in hanging.  Rarely, if ever, did a person escape the noose for crimes that impacted on the health and welfare of fellow citizens.  

 

 

[RWB]

4 hours ago, Hoghead515 said:

That poor old boy there in the last articles sure got hit a hard lick. That would have probably been my first lie. It being just one dollar they should have just gave him a little jail time. I could understand if it were several or if he was making them. Old boy was awful young. 

The letter implies that he had been stealing on several occasions, and was being required to re-pay the Chief Coiner, Eckfeldt, for what he confessed to taking. Presumably Eckfeldt handled it as if it were a loan and that made the legal part go away. The perpetrator, Benjamin Lenderbach, accepted time-served - preferable to hanging. I wonder if he became the first "hedge fund" manager ?

[Conder101]

I believe Hogshead was referring to Nicholas Brock.

[Hoghead515]

11 hours ago, Conder101 said:

I believe Hogshead was referring to Nicholas Brock.

Yea. That was the one I was referring to. I'd swear up and down I didn't know no better. Tell them someone passed it off to me.