Furgeman, Samuel - 1831

From an English paper.

Death of a Great Character.-- Rejoice, all ye Prigs and Smashers of St. Gile's! The renowned Sam Furgeman, constable and watch-house keeper, who has been so long your terror, is no more. He died in his sojourn, adjoining the watch-house, and was buried on Monday last.

Sam was an extraordinary character, having been, it is said, originally a professional man, and a singular compound of humor, cunning, and knavery in all its ramifications-- a perfect illustration of the old adage, “Set a thief to catch a thief.” he was well known as a dog and pigeon fancier, and whenever he saw any of these in his perambulations, he seized on them as his lawful property-- justly considering them as having been found where they had not been lost; by virtue of his official capacity he took possession of them, about which disputes seldom rose, for, as he generally knew his mark, he never questioned ownership with any but such as he knew could not have been possessed of such valuables in a way that would stand scrutiny, and, consequently, never felt himself bound to enter into explanation.

All the flash cribs in the purlieus of his parish, as well as the names and calling of everyone, were known to him; so that upon particular occasions his visitations were dreaded; and his presence held in peculiar aversion.

In religious matters, it has been thought that he had a predilection for Mahometanism-- plurality of wives being in accordance with his creed; he had, however, such an unqualified reverence for the laws of his country, that bigamy was his abhorrence, so that he was only formally tied to one, who, previous to their union, strutted her hour at the Olympic and Coburg Theatres. Of those ladies who, without the embarrassment of ceremony, divided the right of assuming his name, we have not ascertained, but this is not of much moment, for they were all most ably represented by one who attended his funeral, together with her whose title to his name was legalized, and with whom she disputed the precedence at the church door so strenuously and audibly that the Parson had to settle the point ere he could proceed with the funeral service.

In the performance of his duties as a protector of the peace and property of society, his skill and prowess were unequalled. He has been known to pick out a couple of thorough-bred-uns from a mob of two or three hundred in the open street, and has often walked into the house of call for the trade where twenty or thirty of the most desperate coves were assembled, and deliberately drawing his “barking-irons” from his side pocket, civilly requested them to accompany him before “his Worship” when a whole posse of officers were afraid to enter the premises.
~ The Port-Gibson Correspondent 02-Jul-1831, Page 2, Column 5