At the turn of the 20th century New Castle was a small town along the west
shore of the Delaware River. New Castle was an important fishing port, the
center of a rich agricultural section and a town with a background of having
been the capital of a colony and state, and the county seat of government.
Italian immigrants arrived prior to the turn of the century. They were not
the first immigrants, however. Before them came Dutch, Swedes, and English
-- mostly Scotch-Irish. The Dutch in 1657 induced 300 Piedmontese to settle
in New Castle, preceding their later brethren by 246 years.
Unfortunately very little is known about the first Italians to settle in New Castle.
These new arrivals were hard, sturdy men from the mountainous
region of the Province of the Abruzzi. Most could neither read
nor write but possessed a strong will and a determination
to succeed. Others came from Tuscany, the Marches, the Roman Provinces and
Sicily. They found their way to New Castle by way of Baltimore.
As the railroad wound its way through New Castle, these Italians decided to
settle here. It was an important center providing good job opportunities,
especially with the railroad, and a home in a small but dynamic community.
The core of the early 1talian community was made up of Carlo Marcozzi, Francesco
Antonio, Vincenzo di Giangiacomo, and Pietro Ottaviano. Others followed. By
1913 there was a sizable Italian community.
A more complete listing of all the Italian immigrants who settled in New Castle
is
attached to this history [along with a map of the Teramo province of Abruzzo].
With the outbreak of World War I a number of these returned to Italy and fought
with the Italian army in the mountainous regions of Venezia-Giulia. They
experienced both defeat (Caporetto) and victory (the Piave-River from where
the order was given to "hold or die"). The Italian Army held and defeated a
strong German force. The river Piave ran red with the blood of the combatants
on both sides). Many of these early settlers did not return to New Castle.
Others did return with their spouses and began anew their life in America.
A sizable number joined the American Army when the U.S. entered the war and
fought with distinction in France.
After the war the second wave of immigrants arrived in New Castle, and continued
until 1933.
The family made up the central core of the group but because of the closeness
and unity within the group each family helped one another so that all advanced
together.
Italian was the language spoken in the home, thus the children became bilingual.
Many of the earlier children upon entering first grade could not speak English
but made the adjustment.
Food
Food was simple, the staple being spaghetti, ravioli, and gnocchi. Taiolini,
pasta e faccioli, verze e faccioli along with dandelions and rabbi, which
were picked wild in early spring, provided a hardy meal for the family.
Chickens and rabbits were raised in the backyard. Each family had its garden
which supplied tomatoes for sauce, peppers, beans, zucchini and lettuce.
Many even had fig trees and grape vines. Some sold the produce from their
garden thus providing another source of income.
There were three Italians who sold their produce and should be noted here.
They were Enrico Marinelli and Antonio Gotto who were noted for their tomatoes,
peppers, beans and beets. Carlo Marcozzi was widely known for his celery.
For many years, even after his retirement from the Railroad, he peddled
his celery from door to door. This
celery grown between boards to bleach it white and burried in trenches
until Thanksgiving and Christmas, to give it a special crispness, was
widely sought during the holidays.
In the fall, wine was made from grapes shipped from California. There were
muscatel, alegante and zinfindel grapes. Those who could not afford to buy
the grapes, picked wild cherries and elderberry which was then in abundance.
Those who owned a crusher and press would lend it to those who did not own
the equipment. With the arrival of the feast of San Martino all would meet
at a designated place and sample each others wine and compare one against
the other to see who made the best wine. There was much merriment on this
occasion.
In early December the men would buy pigs from the nearby farms and on the
appointed day kill the pigs, clean them and each would bring his pig home
to turn it into sausages, prosciutto, loma or capicolla, and lard. Some
of the lard was used for cooking, some for making soap.
At Christmas and Easter time squid, smelts and other fish goodies were in
abundance. Easter bread, pizzelle and cagianitti made up the pastries
and mazzarella (lamb liver
wrapped in lettuce), baccala (dried salted cod)
and blessed eggs completed the menu.
Education
Since many of the immigrants were illiterate, education was an important
goal for each family. Each child was given an education commensurate with
the time--8th grade, high schoo1 and later for some college.
The following descendents of the Italian immigrants graduated from college---
Angelo Baldini was the first male to graduate from college---U.of D. 1945;
Loretta Ianni was the first female to graduate from college---Notre Dame of
Baltimore 1953 and she received her Masters in 1956. Edward Ianni was the
first to acquire a Ph D---U. of Illinois, 1970. Francis Ianni was the first
to graduate from West Point, 1954, and acquired two Master Degrees, 1964 and
1966 respectively. Reverend J. Thomas Cini was the first to be ordained a
priest. Several others, although not first, graduated from College---Alexander
J. Alvini, Anthony Coccia---Ph D in Philosophy; Andrew Marinelli, Galileo
Leon De Ascanis, and Francis De Ascanis, Jr.
From these children came businesmen, school administrators, executives,
military commanders, firemen, policemen, councilmen, Trustees of New Castle
Common, and tradesmen.
RELIGION
The Church drew the Italian community together providing spirtual comfort.
St. Peter's parish in New Castle
served their needs in baptism, marriage, and death.
A natural outgrowth of this love of church was the formation of St. Anthony's
Society. Since travel was difficult and an Italian priest was not readily
available, the Society filled the gap. The Society did provide an Italian
priest two times a year---Christmas and Easter. All the men and women would
confess and receive communion in a body, after which breakfast was served.
At first all brought something, later a nominal fee was charged for breakfast. -
Coffee royal was a specialty for the men.
Upon the illness of a member flowers were sent and a visit by his fellow
members was the order of the day. Upon the death of a member flowers and
mass cards were sent as well as a visitation to the family of the deceased
offering condolences and a helping hand. The viewing was at that time held
in the home, and on the night of the viewing the men would gather and recite
the rosary and the following day accompany their deceased friend to the grave.
The St. Anthony's Society was founded by Vincent Coccia, Guido De Ascanis,
Pierino Pierantozzi, and Lugi Marcozzi with the help of Fr. Edward Lienhouser
Carnevale, the night before Ash Wednesday was usually celebrated by individual
families or in groups of families. The feast of St. Joseph, March 19th, a
group of men and women would go from house to house, block to block singing
songs and dancing. The families along the way would offer wine, sausages,
and cheese.
Medicine
The Italian community was served at first by Dr. Francis P. Rovitti and
later by Dr. Charles B. Leone, both coming from Wilmington; both very self- sacrificing men.
Although Drs. Rovitti and Leone delivered some babies in the community, the
delivering of children was left in the hands of a midwife. Maria Calvarese
Baldini studied midwifery in Italy. When a woman was about to give birth,
Comara Maria, as she was affectionately called, would move into the home
several days before delivery and literally took over the running of the
household. She would clean the house, wash the clothes and cook the meals
for the family. After the birth of the child she would remain until the
mother was able to get around. For this she received her keep since none
could afford money. Comara Maria was credited with delivering 90% of the
children up to 1939. About 1940 or 1941 hospitals came into wider use.
Weddings
Whenever a son or daughter married, the Van Dyke Armory was rented for the
reception. Every Italian family was invited. Italian sandwiches, pastries,
cumbitti, wine, beer and whiskey were plentiful. An Italian band provided
entertainment. They would dance the waltz and the tarantella along with other
favorite Italian dances.
Several customs were observed in the Italian Community which
should be noted here. In November, on the feast of St. Martin,
friends would come together for the tasting of the new wine made
in September. Roasted chestnuts and various Italian pastries
were traditional menu items. The evening before Ash Wednesday -
Carnevale - was celebrated family style where certain prescribed
foods were eaten and songs sung before beginning the Lenten fast.
Midway through Lent, the feast of St. Joseph was celebrated. In
the evening the men would form a grouop and would visit all the
homes in the neighborhood. The group would be accompanied by
several musicians - one plaving the accordian, another playing
the zimbele, one would carry a basket which was soon filled with
donations of food stuffs to be given to the poor. Religious songs
were sung in honor of St. Joseph. Relaxation of the lenten fast
for an evening was permitted. As lent drew to a close, the family
would be busy making Easter bread and boiled eggs, the traditional
lamb too was being prepared for Easter. On Holy Saturday, the
homes were wide ready to receive the priest who would bless the
homes. The final celebration in the calendar of events was the
feast of St. Anthony, patron Saint of Italy - June 13th.
COLUMBUS DAY CELEBRATION
The earliest known event carried out by the Italian Community
was the celebration of Columbus Day. It was organized by Giovanni
Lalli. It was celebrated on October 12 in the evening, after
everyone had returned from work. This event took place from 1913
to 1918.
The Pestatore Band from Philadelphia supplied the music. The
men would assemble in the West End and march through the streets
and moved down Delaware Street to the wharf. Fireworks would be
lined up along the wharf and the general population be treated
to a splendid fireworks display.
Mr. Lalli would lead the parade riding a white stallion. His
children would carry a picture of Christopher Columbus and the
men would follow.