Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson: Harlem’s Most Notorious Godfather and His Ties to the Mob
Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson is one of those names that loom large in Harlem’s history. Not just a gangster but also a poet, a philanthropist, and a talented chess player, Bumpy was as much a part of Harlem’s culture as its nightlife and jazz clubs. Born on 31 October in either 1905 or 1906 in Charleston, South Carolina, Bumpy’s childhood wasn’t easy. His family moved him to New York at age 13 after his older brother, Willie, was accused of killing a white man—a serious charge during the lynching era. Harlem offered new beginnings, and Bumpy took full advantage of that, although his path was anything but straight and narrow.
Despite the mobster image we often associate with Bumpy, the real man was more complex. Geoff Schumacher from the Mob Museum put it plainly: “In my research, I mean, nobody called him Ellsworth.” His given name barely registered with those around him; to Harlem, he was Bumpy through and through.
The Early Days: A Street Education
Bumpy didn’t waste time establishing himself in Harlem’s underworld. He teamed up with William 'Bub' Hewlett, an early partner, and together, they worked in "protection" rackets, collecting fees from Harlem businesses and running the numbers game, a street lottery. It was illegal but immensely popular, allowing Harlem’s residents to gamble small amounts daily. This was the era of policy bankers—local bookies who kept the operation running—and Bumpy’s position within this network would only grow as he forged alliances.
Running the numbers game was a lucrative business, and by the 1920s, Harlem had attracted the attention of Italian-American mobsters who were building their own criminal empires in New York City. Organised crime was changing, especially with Prohibition, which made alcohol distribution illegal and immensely profitable. In his book, Five Families, journalist Selwyn Raab described how Prohibition became “a political and social earthquake,” fuelling the growth of organised crime. Italian mobsters like Giuseppe 'Joe the Boss' Masseria took control of New York’s underworld, with future crime legends Charles 'Lucky' Luciano and Frank Costello working for him.
Going Head-to-Head with the Mob
By the time Prohibition ended in 1933, the mob needed new revenue sources. Dutch Schultz, a notoriously violent Jewish gangster from the Bronx, set his sights on Harlem’s numbers game, hoping to take over from local operators. Many bankers submitted to Schultz, but Stephanie St. Clair, the “Queen of Harlem,” resisted—and Bumpy, her enforcer, helped her hold onto her empire. They stood their ground, fighting Schultz’s crew in a series of gun battles. Schumacher explains that St. Clair’s defiance paid off, keeping Harlem’s numbers business under local control.
Dutch Schultz, though, had bigger problems after he proposed assassinating Thomas Dewey, a prosecutor determined to dismantle New York’s organised crime network. This bold move didn’t sit well with Luciano, who saw it as a risk to the Mafia’s operations. Schultz’s assassination was ordered, and in the aftermath, Luciano took over his operations. But instead of forcing out Harlem’s black policy bankers, Luciano chose diplomacy, striking a deal with Bumpy Johnson. Bumpy would act as a middleman, ensuring that Harlem’s operations remained locally controlled while respecting the Italian mob’s influence. It was a significant achievement, marking Bumpy as a leader in Harlem’s community and criminal scene alike.
Friends, Associates, and a Growing Power
Bumpy’s network of friends and associates reflected his influence and reach. One of his closest confidants was Nat Pettigrew, his right-hand man, who helped manage Bumpy’s empire during his frequent jail stints. They had a close bond, built on trust and mutual respect. Frank Lucas, who would later become infamous in his own right, described himself as a protégé of Bumpy. According to Lucas, Bumpy groomed him for the Harlem drug trade, though Schumacher notes that Bumpy kept a distance from the heroin business, staying behind the scenes to avoid drawing too much attention from the law.
Bumpy also connected with Harlem’s cultural figures, especially during the Harlem Renaissance, where he was known to rub elbows with writers and intellectuals. His interest in history, literature, and philosophy earned him the nickname “the Professor,” and his poetry was even published. His intellectual pursuits didn’t stop him from being a formidable chess player either—he regularly took on prominent players and enjoyed the strategic aspect of the game, which mirrored his approach to running his empire.
The Robin Hood of Harlem
While Bumpy made a lot of money from his criminal dealings, he also gave back to his community. Harlem residents saw him as a Robin Hood figure, someone who looked after his own. He often paid people’s rents, settled debts, and provided for those in need, especially around Thanksgiving when he distributed turkeys. Schumacher explains, “People would be loyal to him even though they knew he was a dangerous criminal because he helped them out, you know, helped a friend out, helped a relative out.” Bumpy’s actions earned him admiration and loyalty, with many viewing him not just as a gangster but as a community leader who looked out for Harlem’s wellbeing.
Ties to Frank Costello and the Mob
After Luciano’s imprisonment, Frank Costello took control of the Genovese family, which included many of Harlem’s Italian crime connections. Costello respected Bumpy’s intelligence and let him manage Harlem’s affairs without interference. Their relationship was mutually beneficial, and Bumpy served as a kind of liaison between Harlem’s black community and the Mafia, maintaining independence for local operators while upholding the Mafia’s influence where necessary. Through these dealings, Bumpy was able to expand his own operations, including narcotics, gambling, and prostitution.
In and Out of Jail and His Final Years
Despite his influence and community support, Bumpy frequently faced prison time. His most significant sentence came in 1951 when he was convicted as the leader of a heroin ring and sentenced to 15 years. Heroin was the big money-maker for the Mafia in the 1950s and ’60s, and although Bumpy kept his direct involvement limited, his control over Harlem’s drug trade was undeniable. After serving his time, Bumpy was released in 1963, and the community welcomed him back. Schumacher is sceptical of the claims that Harlem held a parade in his honour, but there’s little doubt that his return was a major event.
Bumpy resumed his operations and continued to play an active role in Harlem until his death on 7 July 1968, succumbing to a heart attack at Wells Restaurant in Harlem. His death marked the end of an era, but Bumpy’s impact on Harlem and organised crime in New York was profound. To Harlem, Bumpy Johnson was more than a gangster—he was a figure who embodied the strength and resilience of the community he fought to protect.
Legacy and Influence
Bumpy’s legacy continues to inspire stories, films, and series that portray him as a multi-dimensional character—a fierce defender of Harlem’s independence, a chess-playing intellectual, and a man with a strong sense of loyalty. His ability to work with New York’s most powerful crime families while keeping Harlem’s interests at the forefront made him one of the most unique figures in organised crime.
For Harlem, he remains an unforgettable presence, a man who walked the line between criminality and community support. In his life, Bumpy built an empire and a reputation that extended far beyond Harlem’s borders, and his story reminds us of an era when Harlem was a battleground for both power and respect.
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