Big Sue or Sue, the Turtle was the pseudonym of a 19th-century African-American saloon and brothelkeeper in the notorious Arch Block, which ran between Grand Street and Broome Street[1] in New York's 4th Ward.[2] She was thought to also be involved in criminal activities.[3]
Sue weighed 350 lbs and a contemporary journalist likened her to a big black turtle standing on its hind legs, from which she gained her turtle nickname.[4]