"Let me see generation times, will we hear children singing rhymes? Sweet memories gone by..."

25 March 2023

The S.S. Ravenna (Part 1?)

On 9 March 1903, my great-grandfather Generoso Picariello boarded the S.S. Ravenna in Naples, Italy.  After a voyage of a little over two weeks, the ship arrived in New York on 25 March 1903, 120 years ago today.


 

Also on board the Ravenna were 30 other men from the same town as my great-grandfather, Montemarano.  They ranged in age from 16 to 50;  13 were single and 18 were married.  The names were spread across two pages of the passenger manifest.  This blog post will focus on the 13 men who appeared on the same page as my great-grandfather.  The men on the other page will have to wait for a future blog post.

For the past few years, I've been abstracting the civil registration records for Montemarano and building a family tree.  I thought it might be an interesting project to see what became of Generoso's fellow passengers.  Montemarano is a not a large town by any stretch of the imagination, so it was not a surprise to discover that Generoso was distantly related, either by blood or by marriage, to most of the other men.  So, with one puzzling exception (see #6), here's a brief synopsis for 13 of those passengers who made that voyage across the Atlantic together, then went their separate ways.

 


1.  Pasquale Ricciardelli;  age 16;  single;  destination Glens Falls NY;  joining brother Giovanni Ricciardelli

Pasquale Ricciardiello was born on 19 June 1887, the fifth child of Angelo Ricciardiello and Rachele Mastromarino.  In all, there were ten siblings, of whom seven survived to adulthood.  His brother Giovanni was the eldest, born in 1875.  Pasquale's parents and their seven children would all eventually make their way to the U.S., settling in New York and Massachusetts.  Most of the family used the surname spelling Ricciardelli.  Three years after Pasquale arrived, he married Giuditta "Judith" Mongiello in Brooklyn, NY.  While Giuditta was born in Nusco, Italy, her parents were both from Montemarano.  Pasquale and Giuditta had four children:  Angelo, born in Brooklyn;  and Albert, Christina, and Rachel, born in Glens Falls.  Over the years in census records, Pasquale's occupation went from laborer to farmer to grain store proprietor.  Pasquale died in September 1972, at the age of 85.

Common ancestors:  Pasquale Ricciardelli and Generoso Picariello were fourth cousins, both descended from Francesco Ricciardi & Carmena Benevento.

 

2.  Giuseppe Gambale;  age 19;  single;  destination Trenton NJ;  joining uncle Vincenzo Corso

Giuseppe Gambale was born on 25 December 1884, son of Vincenzo Gambale and his first wife Filomena Pisapia.  Filomena died when Giuseppe was four years old, and his father married secondly Nicoletta Picariello.  While Giuseppe said he was going to his "uncle" Vincenzo Corso, there's no close family relationship between the two.  [Side note:  In the 1940 census, Vincenzo "James" Corse was living next door to my great-grandfather Generoso's in-laws, John & Louise Gallo in Trenton; Louise & Vincenzo's wife Rose were sisters.]  Giuseppe had returned to Montemarano by 1906, when he married Graziantonia Barbaro there.  They remained in Italy for a least year, as a daughter Maria Filomena was born in 1907.  I don't know when Giuseppe returned to the U.S., but Grazia and Maria arrived to join him in April 1921.  Two more daughters were born in New Jersey, Antoinette and Jennie.  Census records indicate that Giuseppe was a pottery laborer.  Giuseppe died on 5 May 1971 in Trenton, at the age of 86.

Common ancestors:  Giuseppe Gambale and Generoso Picariello were third cousins once removed, both descended from Pasquale Trofeo & Maria Nuzzolo.

 


3.  Nicola Mastromarino;  age 19;  single;  destination Brooklyn NY;  joining cousin Luigi Mastromarino

Nicola Mastromarino was born on 23 June 1884, the fourth child of Gennaro Mastromarino and Carmosina Corrado.  His cousin Luigi was 17 years older, the son of Gennaro's elder brother Carmine.  Nicola returned to Montemarano and married Maria Gallo there in 1907.  The couple would have at least six children:  Gennaro, Carmosina, Alberto, Giovanni, Orazio, and Luigi.  Maria Gallo died in 1931, but Nicola was still living as of 1945.

Common ancestors:  Nicola Mastromarino and Generoso Picariello were third cousins, both descended from Pasquale Trofeo & Maria Nuzzolo.

 


4.  Salvatore Doto;  age 16;  single;  destination Brooklyn NY;  joining uncle Giuseppe Gambale

Salvatore Doto was born on 18 February 1887, the eldest of Antonio Doto and Emmanuele Gambale's thirteen children.  His uncle Giuseppe Gambale had been in the U.S. since before 1897, when his daughter Rosa was born in Boston.  On 31 July 1910 in Brooklyn, Salvatore married Rosaria Venezia, who was originally from Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi, about 13 miles from Montemarano.  The couple had eight children, all born in Brooklyn:  Emanuele, Josephine, Antoinette, Anna, Anthony, Angelo, Nancy, and Frances.  On 28 November 1917, Salvatore made his declaration of intention to become a U.S. citizen, and petitioned for naturalization on 10 December 1919.  Per census records, Salvatore worked for Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit.  Salvatore died on 25 June 1964 in Brooklyn, at the age of 77.

Common ancestors:  Salvatore Doto and Generoso Picariello were not related, but Salvatore was a distant cousin of Generoso's wife Marianna Gallo, both descended from Onofrio Pellecchia & Brigida Bocchino.


5.  Ciriaco Benevento;  age 18;  single;  destination Boston MA;  joining uncle Arangelo Corrado

Ciriaco Benevento was born on 11 April 1885, the eldest of Angelo Benevento and Maria Gallo's eight children.  He returned to Montemarano by 1908, when he married Emilia Raimo.  They would have at least two children, Maria and Giovanni, before Emilia died.  Ciriaco came to the U.S. again, arriving in Boston MA on 26 March 1914;  this time, he said he was going to his cousin Felice D'Agnese in Swampscott MA.  In 1920, Ciriaco was back in Montemarano, where he married secondly Immacolata Gambale.  Immacolata died in 1936, and the following year Ciriaco married thirdly Teresa Pastore.  A notation on Ciriaco's birth record indicates that he died on 11 April 1955 in Montemarano;  he was 70 years old.

Common ancestors:  Ciriaco Benevento and Generoso Picariello were not related, but Ciriaco was a distant cousin of Generoso's wife Marianna Gallo, both descended from Pasquale Coscia & Maddalena d'Agnese.


6.  Generoso Granese;  age 18;  single;  destination Brooklyn NY;  joining brother Giovanni Granese

Unclear who this man was or what became of him.  There was a Generoso Granese who was born on 18 January 1885, but he died on 10 July 1886.  He doesn't resurface in the Montemarano records (up to 1945, at least), but neither is there any evidence he remained in the U.S.


7.  Giovanni Gambale;  age 31;  married;  destination Brooklyn NY;  joining brother Giuseppe Gambale

Giovanni Gambale was born on 1 December 1872, the fifth child of Domenico Gambale and Maria Rosa Pecariello.  His brother Giuseppe was two years older, and had been in the U.S. since at least 1897, when his daughter Rosa was born in Boston MA.  Giovanni married Angela Doto in 1895, and they had three children before he left for New York.  He had returned to Montemarano by 1905, when a son Salvatore was born.  Giovanni was back in Brooklyn NY to be counted in Giuseppe's household in the 1910 census.  Also living with the family was nephew Salvatore Doto (#4 on this list), listed as a boarder.  However, it must have been a quick trip for Giovanni, because he was back in Montemarano for the birth of his son Eugenio in September that year.  Giovanni made at least one more voyage to New York, arriving on 23 September 1916.  This was very timely trip, as his brother Giuseppe died in Brooklyn a month later, on 24 October.  Giovanni last appears on a record in 1929, when his daughter Nunziata was married in Montemarano.

Common ancestors:  Giovanni Gambale and Generoso Picariello were not related, but Giovanni was a distant cousin of Generoso's wife Marianna Gallo, both descended from Onofrio Pellecchia & Brigida Bocchino.

 


8.  Giuseppe Piccirillo;  age 31;  married;  destination Nanuet NY;  joining nephew Giovanni Coscia

Giuseppe Piccirillo (originally, Peccerillo) was born on 2 August 1871, the youngest of Nicola Peccerillo and Maria Giuseppa Novellino's nine children.  His nephew, Giovanni Coscia, was only about five years younger, the son of Giuseppe's older sister Giuseppa.  In 1897, Giuseppe married Nicoletta Gallo, and they had three children before Giuseppe left for the U.S:  Nicola, Giovanni (who died young), and Luigi.  Giuseppe had returned to Montemarano by 1907, and he and Nicoletta had at least five more children together:  Maria, Rosa, Immacolata, Alfonso, and Generoso.  Giuseppe and Nicoletta were both still living as of 1945.

Common ancestors:  Giuseppe Piccirillo and Generoso Picariello were not related, but Giuseppe was a distant cousin of Generoso's wife Marianna Gallo, both descended from Pasquale Coscia & Maddalena d'Agnese.

 

9.  Antonio Benevento;  age 34;  married;  destination Haverstraw NY;  joining cousin Giuseppe Giso

Antonio Benevento was born on 30 May 1869, the son of Angelo Benevento and Grazia Santoro.  He married firstly Carmela del Percio;  they had three children - Maria, Angelo, and Ferdinando - before Carmela's death in April 1899.  Ferdinando was then only six weeks old, so Antonio soon remarried, to Maria Michela Loro in November that same year.  The couple had at least four children:  Carmela, Grazia, Giuseppe, and Pasqualina.  Antonio's trip to the U.S. must have been brief, as he had returned to Montemarano in time for Grazia's birth in September 1903.  Antonio and Maria were both still living as of 1945.

Common ancestors:  Antonio Benevento were Generoso Picariello only distantly related by marriage;  Generoso and Antonio's first wife Carmela del Percio were fourth cousins, both descended from Francesco Ricciardi & Carmena Benevento.

 


10.  Ferdinando Perullo;  age 19;  single;  destination Brooklyn NY;  joining uncle Antonio Perullo

Ferdinando Perullo was born on 18 April 1884, the third child of Salvatore Perullo and his first wife Graziantonia Filomena Marino.  His mother Graziantonia died in August 1903, a few months after Ferdinando left for the U.S.  He traveled back to Italy at some point, because he again landed in New York on 28 February 1910.  Later that year, on 30 October 1910, Ferdinando married Antonia Coscia, another Montemarano immigrant who had arrived in New York in 1906.  The couple had six children, all born in New York:  Antoinette, Rosina (who died young), Salvatrice, Salvatore, John, and Mary.  On 11 December 1919, Ferdinando made his declaration of intention to become a U.S. citizen.  In the 1930 census, Ferdinando was listed as railroad foreman, and in 1940, he was a trackman for Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit.  Ferdinando died on 1 February 1944 in Brooklyn, at the age of 59.

Common ancestors:  Ferdinando Perullo and Generoso Picariello were not related, but Ferdinando was a second cousin once removed of Generoso's wife Marianna Gallo, both descended from Salvatore di Dio & Rosangela Todino.

 

11.  Generoso De Lisio;  age 28;  married;  destination Boston MA;  joining brother Giuseppe De Lisio

Generoso di Lisio was born on 7 January 1875, the second of Giovanni Antonio di Lisio and Felicia Gallo's six children.  Though he was coming to join his older brother Giuseppe, Giuseppe wasn't yet a permanent U.S. resident, and this wasn't Generoso's first trip to the U.S.  [Side note:  Both brothers would be called "Joseph" in America.]  Generoso's trip back to Italy had (hopefully!) been a short one;  he was rejoining his wife Luisa Corrado, and meeting his new son Fred, who was born 18 March 1903, one week before Generoso arrived.  In all, Generoso and Luisa would have eight children together:  John, Fred, Albert, Michael, Felicia, Anna, Joseph, and Minnie.  Eldest son John was born in Monson MA;  all the others were born in New York.  While living in Massachusetts, Generoso was working in a quarry, along with his father-in-law and brother-in-law.  After moving to Brooklyn, his occupation was first given as stone cutter, and later as coal yard laborer.  Generoso died on 2 March 1927 in Brooklyn, at the age of 52.

Common ancestors:  Generoso di Lisio and Generoso Picariello were not related, but Generoso was a distant cousin of Generoso's wife Marianna Gallo, both descended from Andrea Gallo & Grazia Todino.

 


12.  Giovanni Mastromarino;  age 33;  married;  destination Brooklyn NY;  joining brother Orazio Mastromarino

Giovanni Mastromarino was born on 3 January 1870, the youngest son of Carmine Mastromarino and his first wife Mariangela Gallo.  Orazio was the eldest sibling, nine years his senior.  Giovanni was a year and a half old when his mother died, and his father would later marry two more times.  In 1895, Giovanni married Filomena d'Agnese.  The couple would have only one surviving son, Carmine, before Filomena's death in 1900.  The following year, Giovanni married Angela Doto, and they would have three sons:  Salvatore, Raffaele, and Antonio.  Giovanni would not stay in the U.S. long, as son Raffaele was born in July 1905.  Giovanni died on 15 April 1929 in Montemarano, at the age of 59.

Common ancestors:  Giovanni Mastromarino and Generoso Picariello were not related, but Generoso was a distant cousin twice over of Generoso's wife Marianna Gallo, descended from both Andrea Gallo & Grazia Todino, and Nicola Capezzuto & Antonia Bolino.

 


13.  Generoso Picariello;  age 23;  single;  destination Trenton NJ;  joining brother Pasquale Picariello

My great-grandfather Generoso Pecariello was born on 25 November 1879, the youngest child of Francesco Pecariello and Marianna Lombardi.  The couple had five children, but only Generoso and Pasquale survived to adulthood.  Pasquale was 11 years older than Generoso;  he had arrived in New York exactly one year to the day before Generoso made the crossing.  While Generoso was single, Pasquale already had a wife and two children in Italy, and he only stayed in the U.S. for a short while.  In 1908, Generoso married Marianna Gallo in Brooklyn.  Marianna was also from Montemarano, and had traveled to New York with her mother and siblings when she was eight years old.  Generoso and Marianna would raise seven children:  Frank, Martin, Helen, Nunziato, Angelo, Assunta, and Pasquale.

 

03 December 2022

Robert Porter

[Revolutionary War Patriot Series, Part 12 of 12]

 

Born:  circa 1758
Died:  ante 10 May 1830 in Wythe County, Virginia

Service:  Patriotic Service

  • Paid supply tax, 1783

Wife:  Ann Black

Children:

  • Andrew
  • Polly, wife of Stephen Kettering
  • Robert
  • John
  • Margaret
  • Susannah
  • William
  • James


Timeline:

[Note:  Wythe County was formed in 1790 from Montgomery County.]

1783
Prince Edward County, Virginia
Robert Porter appeared on the 1783 tax list next to his father Andrew.  He was assessed for 1 white male over 21 and 2 horses.  Robert would continue to appear on tax lists in Prince Edward County for 10 more years, until 1793.

 

3 June 1783
Montgomery County, Virginia
Robert Porter was named in his maternal uncle Samuel Ewing’s will, written on 3 June 1783 and recorded on 23 May 1786.  It appears that Samuel Ewing did not have any children, as he left his land to be split between Robert Porter and his brother Samuel Porter.  Per an 1815 court record, this tract of land totaled 568 acres.

And after the decease of my loving wife I leave unto Robert Porter son of my sister Margaret Porter the half of my land is to say the lower end him the said Robert Porter to pay unto Betty Porter and Fanny Purnal forty pounds apeice when of age.  I also leave unto my sister Margaret Porter son Samuel Porter the other half of my land after the decease of my wife him the said Samuel Porter to pay Margaret and Sarah his sisters forty pounds apeace when of age.

 

10 March 1791
Prince Edward County, Virginia
Robert Porter married Ann Black, daughter of James Black.


 

26 July 1791
Wythe County, Virginia
Robert Porter was named in his maternal uncle William Ewing’s will, written on 26 July 1791 and recorded on 9 July 1793.

I also give unto my sister Margaret Porters son Robert Porter my negro man Jacob at the dissease of my loving wife forever.  … I also give unto my sister Margaret Porters son Robert Porter my stud horse forever.

 

1793
Wythe County, Virginia
Robert Porter first appeared on tax lists in Wythe County in 1793.  He was taxed on 1 white male over 21, 1 slave over the age of 16, and 5 horses.

 

14 October 1797
Prince Edward County, Virginia
Betty Porter acknowledged receipt of £40 from her brother Robert Porter, “his part of a legacy left me by my unkl Samuel Ewing.”


1810
Wythe County, Virginia
In the 1810 U.S. federal census, there were 17 people in Robert Porter’s household:  1 male and 1 female over the age of 45;  2 males and 2 females between the ages of 16-25;  1 male and 1 female between the ages of 10-15;  2 males under the age of 10;  and 7 slaves.

 

8 August 1815
Wythe County, Virginia
Robert & Samuel Porter were exonerated from paying taxes in 1803 on the land left to them by their uncle Samuel Ewing.


14 January 1817
Wythe County, Virginia
Robert Porter’s son William died sometime between 20 November 1816, when his will was written, and 14 January 1817, when his will was proved in court. 

First I do give and bequeath unto my brother Andrew Porter Junr. all my real and personal property under the provisions and conditions hereinafter named to wit all my right and claim to the tract of land which I have had in possession and cultivations for several years on the east bank of the New River at Porters ford the legal right whereof is in my father Robert Porter Senr. my share in two negro women named Hetty and Sophia which we purchased in partnership with the child lately born of the said Hetty also the coop on the land above bequeathed also my part of the cattle and hogs held in copartnership between the said Andrew Porter and myself and finally all the property to which I had claim on the farm aforesaid


24 September 1818
Wythe County, Virginia
Tom, a slave owned by Robert Porter, was tried and convicted of the attempted rape of Robert’s wife Ann.

… for the trial of Tom a negro man slave the property of Robert Porter who stands charged with having on or about the 21st of August 1818 at the county aforesaid feloniously attempted to commit a rape on the body of Ann Porter a white woman wife of the aforesaid Robert Porter. … The prisoner was set to the bar in custody of the jailer and being arraigned of the crime aforesaid saith that he is not guilty thereof;  whereupon the court proceeded to the examination of sundry witnesses as well on behalf of the Commonwealth as of the prisoner at the bar, and having heard counsel on behalf of the said prisoner are of opinion that he is guilty of the attempt to commit the rape aforesaid, and doth order that he be castrated by some skillful operator to be employed by the sheriff on the first day of October next, or as soon thereafter as possible, and that he be in custody of the jailer until such operation be performed.


11 November 1818
Wythe County, Virginia
Tom appeared in court again in November:

Tom, a negro man slave the property of Robert Porter, who was committed to the custody of the jailer for want of sureties to keep the peace and be of good behaviour towards the good citizens of this Commonwealth was set to the bar, and the court after hearing witnesses as well on behalf of the Commth. as of the defendant and the arguments of counsel, are of opinion that the said Tom be bound to find sureties to keep the peace and be of good behaviour towards all the good citizens of this Commonwealth but more especially for towards Henry L. Sheffey + Henry Eller in the sum of one thousand Dollars, and that he be in the custody of the jailer until the same be given.

 

1820
Wythe County, Virginia
In the 1820 U.S. federal census, there were 15 people in Robert Porter’s household:  1 male and 1 female over the age of 45;  1 female between the ages of 26-44;  3 males and 1 female between the ages of 16-25;  1 female between the ages of 10-15;  2 females slaves over the age of 45;  1 male slave between the ages of 26-44;  3 females slaves between the ages of 14-25;  and 1 male slave under the age of 14.

 

14 March 1826
Wythe County, Virginia
Robert Porter was appointed overseer of the road from Porters Ford to Richard Hobbs’.  He held the position for a year and a half, resigning on 9 October 1827.


10 May 1830
Wythe County, Virginia
Robert Porter wrote his will on 20 April 1830.  He died sometime prior to 10 May 1830, when his will was proved in court.

I Robert Porter Sen. On this day make this as my last will and testament after takeing all things into consideration and feal myself in sound mind and memory make and begeth this as my last will and testament to wit:

 

1st My son Andrew I think has received a full porshen alltho I give him one dollar.

 

2nd As to my daughter Polly Kettering the same as to my son Andrew say one dollar.

 

3rd As to my son Robert I have gave him horses and cattel and houshould furniture and further give and bequeath to my son Robert one full third part of my land that I may be seasd and possess of ___ this time, and further I give to my son Robert one negroe boy named Richmon say something like ten or twelve years old.

 

4th I give and bequeath to my son James the one full third of all my lands as above metioned.  And also to the sd James one negroe girl by the name of Ellenor say six or eight years old.  Also to my son James three cows and calvs.  And one good hors further to my son James the one full half of my houshould furnature.

 

5th As to my son John I give and bequeath to him the one full third of all my lands as above stated and also one negroe girl by the name of Wandamers age six or seven years so supposd by me the donor and further I give and bequeath to my son John the one full half of my houshould furnature.

 

6th I give and bequeath to my grandson by the name of Robbart Henry son of my son James one negroe boy by the name of George supposed to be fore or five years old.

 

7th I give and bequath to my granddaughter say the daughter of my son James by the name of Susannah one small negroe girl by the name of Emeler say about twenty months old also one two years old heffer named Mott.

 

8th It is further my will that my three sons say Robbart James and John at my decease take possession of three of my negroes say Jiorney Winney and Tom and take care of them between themselves theares also one negroe girl by the name of Leviney which I wish my three above and last namd sons say Robbart James and John to take in possession at my decease and take care of her and if shee should have any increase for the sd increase to be euilley divided between my grandchildren.  Further thears is two mares one chesnit souel namd Pats and one three year old filley to be left to the last three namd sons in the same way as above stated and all the remander of my property that is not herein devisd say hogs cattel and sheap and all the remainder of my property be it more or less to be sold agreeable to law by those whoom I may appoint as will appear in the close of my will also there is eighty dollars dew to me from John Ritchardson which I wish my under namd executors to collect and aply it to the payment of my just debts togeather with all the other of the arearages that may be coming to me or to my estates.

 

Scince begining to write this my last will and testament I calld to mind my daughter Polley Kettring say the wife of Stephen Kettering whoom I have in the foregoing part of this will left one dollar it is further my will that shee say my daughter Polley have and hold a certain negroe woman namely Parhines forever togeather with her increase is she should have any.

 

Thus after closing this my last will and testament I do hereby appoint my three sons say Robbart James and John as my executors to mannage the whole of my estate agreeable to law wherunto I have set my hand and afixed my seal the day and year above written.

 

9 November 1830
Wythe County, Virginia
An inventory of Robert Porter’s estate valued his property at $2,258.81.  Included in the accounting was the value of his slaves;  Tom was valued at $250.


Sources: