Tom Bray
Encyclopedia
Tom Bray was an American
saloon keeper and underworld figure in New York City
during the mid-to late 19th century. He was the owner of a downtown Manhattan dive bar
, "Tom Bray's", located on Thompson Street, and which served as an underworld hangout for thieves and bank robbers. The saloon, according to author Frank Moss
, was known for its violence as "several men were killed there and a number were badly cut and shot" during its forty years in operation.
A contemporary of Johnny Dobbs, who ran a similar establishment on Mott Street
, Bray acted as a fence
in the old Fourth Ward and became one of the most successful in the district during his lifetime. Unlike Dobbs, who eventually died penniless after handling $2 million in his criminal career, Bray "banked" his money and was reportedly worth between $200,000 and $350,000 at the time of his death. As of 1897, "Tom Bray's" was still standing.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
saloon keeper and underworld figure in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
during the mid-to late 19th century. He was the owner of a downtown Manhattan dive bar
Dive bar
A dive bar is a type of bar or pub. Dive bars generally have a relaxed and informal atmosphere—they are often referred to by local residents as "neighborhood bars," where people in the neighborhood gather to drink and socialize...
, "Tom Bray's", located on Thompson Street, and which served as an underworld hangout for thieves and bank robbers. The saloon, according to author Frank Moss
Frank Moss (lawyer)
Frank Moss was an American lawyer, reformer and author. He was involved in many of the reform movements in New York City shortly before the turn of the century up until his death. As a longtime assistant to District Attorney Charles S...
, was known for its violence as "several men were killed there and a number were badly cut and shot" during its forty years in operation.
A contemporary of Johnny Dobbs, who ran a similar establishment on Mott Street
Mott Street
Mott Street is a narrow but busy thoroughfare that runs in a north-south direction in the borough of Manhattan in New York City in the United States. It is best known as Chinatown's unofficial "Main Street". Mott Street runs from Chatham Square in the south to Bleecker Street in the north...
, Bray acted as a fence
Fence (criminal)
A fence is an individual who knowingly buys stolen property for later resale, sometimes in a legitimate market. The fence thus acts as a middleman between thieves and the eventual buyers of stolen goods who may or may not be aware that the goods are stolen. As a verb, the word describes the...
in the old Fourth Ward and became one of the most successful in the district during his lifetime. Unlike Dobbs, who eventually died penniless after handling $2 million in his criminal career, Bray "banked" his money and was reportedly worth between $200,000 and $350,000 at the time of his death. As of 1897, "Tom Bray's" was still standing.