April 1825 – Not Just Murder and Mayhem — NYC Department of Records & Information Services

This deposition is recorded in the complaint of two women who resided at 259 Duane Street. On April 2, 1825, Catharine Carman stated that “Mark Wiley . . . stole one pair pantaloons of the value one dollar and cotton drawers of the value of two dollars.” On the same day, Sarah Campion, also of 259 Duane Street, added her complaint, stating that Mark Wiley stole two pair stockings, one flannel shirt and three cotton shirts.  

The facts of this case can be found in containers labeled simply “Police Court.” The 20 cubic feet in the series date from 1807 to 1830. The Police Court, however, did not come into existence until 1848. Furthermore, many of the documents in the series consist of printed forms that state the defendant, “… may be bound by recognizance to be of good behavior, and keep the peace, and to answer for the above assault, etc. at the next Court of General Sessions of the Peace.” Further research will be necessary, but it is likely that City archivists will refine the collection description to more accurately reflect its provenance.  

Returning to the “Police Court” records from the first days of April 1825, we find Conrad Brinkman’s deposition from April 11, 1825. Mr. Brinkman, of 151 Leonard Street says the house adjoining his residence at 151 Leonard Street, is a disorderly house, kept by Mrs. Parks, “…where black and white men and boys come at all hours of the night cursing and swearing using all kinds of indecent language so as to disturb the peace and good order of society.”   

Perhaps less dramatic, but alive with detail, is the deposition of Daniel H. Carpenter. According to his statement taken on April 4, 1825, Carpenter said that he is “19 years of age, is a shoemaker by trade, has been in the city since November last.” His parents live in Pleasant Valley and he boards at no. 33 Suffolk Street. He admitted that he went into Mr. Edward Windusts’ shop and ate oysters with the spoon that he is charged with stealing. The description of the crime is a little unclear, but it seems that Carpenter pocketed the spoon after finishing the oysters and when he realized he was being pursued he threw the spoon over a fence.