Sturdivant Gang facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sturdivant Gang |
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A blockhouse similar to the ones that were attached to the four corners of the log house within "Sturdivant's Fort" by the third generation of the Sturdivant Gang in their late 1810s-early 1820s counterfeiting operation overlooking the bluff of the Ohio River at Rosiclare, Illinois
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| In | Connecticut, Massachusetts, Ohio, Tennessee, Illinois? |
| Founded by | Sturdivant Family |
| Years active | 1780s-1820s (three generations of family counterfeiters) |
| Territory | Connecticut, Massachusetts, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Manville Ferry, New Athens, St. Clair County, Illinois and Sturdivant's Fort, Pope County, Illinois, present-day Rosiclare, Hardin County, Illinois |
| Ethnicity | European-American |
| Membership | 13 or as high as 50-100 |
| Criminal activities | counterfeiting |
The Sturdivant Gang was a family of counterfeiters who made fake money. They were active for about 50 years, from the 1780s to the 1830s. Their activities started in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Over time, parts of the family moved to other states like Tennessee, Ohio, and Illinois.
James Sturdivant was the first leader of the Sturdivant Gang. He was the father of Azor Sturdivant.
Azor Sturdivant led the gang after his father, James. He was the father of Roswell S. and Merrick Sturdivant.
Contents
The Sturdivant Gang: Making Fake Money
The Sturdivant Gang was known for making fake money. This means they created coins and paper money that looked real but were not made by the government. In the early days of the United States, it was easier to make fake money because there were many different types of coins and paper money in use.
The gang often made fake Spanish silver pesos. These were very common coins on the American frontier. They would use molds to create fake coins, sometimes plating them with a thin layer of silver to make them look more real.
The Gang's Family Tree
The Sturdivant Gang was unique because it was a family business. Three generations of the Sturdivant family were involved in making fake money.
First Generation: James Sturdivant
James Sturdivant was the first known leader of the gang. He started their illegal activities in the late 1700s. His work was mainly in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Second Generation: Azor Sturdivant
Azor Sturdivant took over the gang after his father, James. Under Azor's leadership, the family's operations spread. One part of the family moved to Tennessee. Another part went to Ohio and later settled in Illinois.
Third Generation: Roswell and Merrick Sturdivant
Roswell S. Sturdivant and Merrick Sturdivant were Azor's sons. They continued the family's counterfeiting business. They were active in the early 1800s, especially in Illinois.
The Gang in Popular Culture
The story of the Sturdivant Gang has appeared in books and movies.
The 1952 film, The Iron Mistress, shows a character named "Bloody Jack" Sturdevant. This character is based on Roswell S. Sturdivant. The movie shows a famous knife dueling scene with Jim Bowie.
In 1964, a book called Spawn of Evil by Paul Wellman shared more details about Roswell Sturdivant and his gang. It also talked about the network of crime on the early American frontier.
