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Peter VICINI was born September 25, 1835, Zoagli, Italy. Zoagli, Italy. A small, precious pearl dominated by the main road and the railway which run higher up, Zoagli appears as a unique vision when, arriving from high up, you catch sight of its thriving hills and their cultivated terracing, the olive-trees, the vines and the lovely villas scattered around, camouflaged or perhaps merged in the peaceful atmosphere that fills the place.
Peter VICINI, oldest son of a large family, was a quiet, peaceful man.
He met and married Anna Catherine PORTELLI in Florence, Italy. She was born
August 16, 1834 in Genoa, Italy.
Peter and Catherine Vicini
After their marriage they
tied up their belongings in a red handkerchief, consisting of olive oil, garlic,
vinegar and Galleto (hardtack) and came by steerage to America. The year and
place of arrival is still a mystery.
Family lore says that Peter arrived
by ship to Richmond, VA. I think they arrived in Hampton, VA. Richmond, VA is
not a port for passengers. Richmond is inland and the only boats going to
Richmond were cargo and supply boats. These boats were small and could navigate
this part of the river, as it is very narrow and rugged at this
point.
Anna Marie was born October 15, 1861. The Civil War had already
started. Her Death Certificate says she was born in Virginia. No town
mentioned.
I believe they were already there and had been living there
when the war started. And, were forced to flee, as one family story says he was
conscripted. I asked the question about conscription and a foreign born
and if Peter had to be a citizen to be conscripted. The answer was no.
Furthermore, in those days you could live in America for a certain amount of
time and be considered naturalized. If you were conscripted, you could
hire someone to take your place once you were called up. The going rate was
usually $300.00.
Their journey from Virginia to San Francisco has not yet
been determined.
Upon their
arrival they started a new life and had more children.
Anna, born October
15, 1861 in Virginia, married John CHRISTENSEN, maybe 1882. She died May 31,
1963, Oakland, CA, Alameda Co. Buried at St. Mary's Catholic
Cemetery.
Carrie M. VICINI, born 1867 in San Francisco, CA, married Leon
G. RATTO. He died October 18, 1903, Petaluma, CA. Carrie died February 28, 1916,
Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara Co. They are buried side by side at Holy Cross
Cemetery.
Angela VICINI, born 1869 in San Francisco, CA,
married ___WILHEIM.
Stephen VICINI, born December 26, 1871, San
Francisco, CA (unmarried) died June 04, 1925, San Francisco, CA. Buried at Holy
Cross Cemetery.
Louisa VICINI, born 1874, San Francisco, CA married John
MENDEZ. She died July 28, 1952, Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara Co.
The earliest that I
have placed Peter in San Francisco is 1869 through the San Francisco City
Directories, SW corner of Pacific and Mason, as Fruits. The 1880 census, lists
him as at 129 Mason Place and is listed as a fruit dealer. The City Directories
list him in 1880, 1881, 1882, living at number 1 Vernon Place. Vernon Place was
considered very up scale. 1891 City Directories, Peter and Stephan, 1005
Pacific, 1899, Peter, Fruits and Vegetables, 1005 Pacific, Stephan, Clerk of
Peter, Fruits and Vegetables, 1005 Pacific. 1900 Census he is listed at 1005
Pacific St. listed as fruits business.
He had a horse called Bill, the
horse would go by himself to market and bring back bananas. Peter would hire a
horse and buggy and go to the opera.
Their business was wiped out by the
San Francisco Fire and Earthquake. They retired to Santa Clara, CA and lived out
the rest of their lives.
Peter died October 12, 1910 and his wife Catherine died
January 31, 1924. They lay at rest next to each other at the Santa Clara Mission
Cemetery, Santa Clara CA.
30 Apr 2000