Patsy Conroy Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Patsy Conroy
An illustration of Patsy Conroy from "Criminals of America" (1876) by Philip Farley.
Born	Patrick Conway c. 1846
Nationality	Irish-American
Other names	Patsey Conroy
Occupation	Saloon keeper
Known for	New York burglar and river pirate who founded the Patsy Conroy Gang
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)

Patrick Conway (c. 1846– ????), commonly known by his alias Patsy or Patsy Conroy, was an American burglar and river pirate. He was the founder and leader of the Patsy Conroy Gang, a gang of river pirates active on the New York waterfront in the old Fourth Ward and Corlears' Hook districts during the post-American Civil War era.

Biography

Conroy was described as being "of Irish origin and a burglar. He is 30 years of age, five feet seven inches high, has black hair, gray eyes, several India-ink marks on his hand, and weights 150 lbs." He became known as an experienced river pirate in the New York underworld and "operated with great success" along the old Fourth Ward waterfront.

Under his leadership, the Patsy Conroys dominated the New York waterfront district during the post-American Civil War era and remained one of the last active gangs of river pirates prior to the formation of the Steamboat Squad. Over time, Denny Brady and Larry Griffin gradually took over running the gang and may not have been actively involved some of the Patsy Conroys' more infamous crimes such as the Elizabeth or Mattan robberies during 1873.

He and Larry Griffin were eventually convicted of robbing the home of Robert Emmet in White Plains in 1874, as well as Denny Brady in Catskill the same year, resulting in the gang's breakup.

Patsy Conroy facts for kids

Biography

See also