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Immigrant: Antonietta Moretti
Hello, I am Antonietta Moretti a 23 year old lady from Naples, Italy. I left because of the parasite that were destroying the grape vines that the farm I worked at failed and shut down leaving me unemployed. I came to America for the sake of the Homestead act hoping that I can get land to grow my own grapes to turn into wine! -
Period: to
Immigration Journey
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Aunties home
I arrived to a nice house very spacious unlike the crammed apartment rooms that I used to live in. I settled in and unpacked my clothes and went to town trying to find a pawn shop where I could sell the 3 silver rings that my Mama and Papa left behind for me before they died. I needed to sell those rings in order to receive money so I could have a good start when I own lots of land from the Homestead Act to raise my own vineyard and grow lots of grape to make wine. -
Understanding the streets of New York
A man tackled the kind man that gave me money. This seemed strange to me. But the man gave me back the silver ring but I just walked away wondering why would he give back the silver ring. He spoke in Italian and I was so shocked. Dante Stefano was his name, said that the man gave me fake money to steal away my ring. I thank him and ask him where a pawn shop is. He took me to a pawn shop and helped me translate to the store owner. -
Local Town
I looked around at these pointy arrows that were written with this foreign language that I could not seem to understand. I searched around for a pawn shop until a man bumped into me. He looked at the rings that I grasped in my hand and it seems as if he could guide me to the pawn shop. Alas we could not find one. He handed me a paper with a number '7' written upon it I knew that this was money so I bowed my head and in return handed him one silver ring and he took off. -
Sickness takes over
The winter here was very harsh, that my beloved Aunt caught a deathly sickness. The scarlett fever. Her children had to go live with the neighbors for that period of time so that they would not catch the disease. I stayed with my Aunt at the hospital feeding her meals, and making sure that she would be eating her medicine. -
Memorial
My Aunt died today her children and I are grieving because of her loss. We each said a prayer in front of her grave honoring her. I feel such hurt in my heart I am filled with sorrow. -
Finding a Job
Since my Aunt died it was now my responsibility to take good care of the children. Their father passed 3 winters ago since then it had always been only them and their Mom. I decided to go find a job, but I could not speak or read English so I went to find Dante. He was willing to help me and for that I was so grateful. -
Getting hired
I was always handy with a spool of thread and a needle. I was a great tailor that now I worked at a seamstress. The people there were very kind and welcoming. My boss lady was most certainly kind while I got a good pay. I always tried my best even when I was tired. This job would help me start out on the right foot to becoming a sucessful grapevine farmer. -
Family
I had a stable income meaning that I was capable of keeping food on the table for the kids and I to enjoy and being able to provide everything that the children needed. My English was improved with the helping hand of Dante Stefano. I got my acres of land and already harvested the first batch of grapes.
