Genealogy Report: Descendants of Luigi Pica
Descendants of Luigi Pica
1.LUIGI1 PICA was born 1837 in Potenza, Italy, and died September 1902 in Philadelphia, PA.He married ANGELA SANDASERIA Abt. 1867 in Italy, daughter of VINCENT SANDASERIA and MARIA ?.She was born 05 April 1844 in Italy, and died April 1927 in Philadelphia, PA- buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Darby, PA.
Notes for LUIGI PICA:
According to Thomas DiFilippo, " Luigi Pica came to the US about 1873 with his mother-in-law, hoping to get to California.He apparently got as far as Chicago, became ill, then turned back and returned to Italy.When he returned to the US, he brought his wife and their two children (Mary and Clementina). They settled in Phila., where the rest of their children were born.
The following information was contained in notes Madelaine Mancinelli Violante wrote in the 1970's about her grandparents, Luigi and Angela Pica. "Luigi Pica worked as a tailor making clothes for women. They lived at 731 Clymer St. in South East Phila.It is a small street after Fitzwater St.(which is 9 blocks south of Market Street and between 7th & 8th Streets). The school attended by the Pica children was at 8th and Fitzwater Streets and has since been torn down."
The neighborhood was a close knit Italian group of real friends.Luigi took the part of Christopher Columbus in the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America in 1892.He wore sandals and rode a horse up and down Broad Street.He caught a cold and was sick for nine years.He finally died on Sept. 26, 1902.Tom DiFilippo adds, " Luigi played the part of Columbus in a Sons of Italy Parade to Fairmount Park.During that celebration, he unveiled and dedicated a statue of Columbus that stood for many years on Belmont Ave.In 1983, the statue was moved to South Phila. and stands on Broad St. in Marconi Plaza.He did die from pneumonia received from this occasion."
When Luigi died, his wife purchased a six grave plot in Holy Cross Cemetery (lot 30, range 6, section 16) for $32.Buried in this plot are Luigi Pica (1902), Michele Regali (1903), Thomas Mancinelli (1926), Angela Pica (1927),Raffaele DiFilippo (1933), and Marie Rose DiFilippo (1980).
After her husband's death,Angela then moved to 274 S. Ithan Street in West Phila to live with her daughter, Eleanora Veranti.This move was about 1907.Theresa Veranti was born on Jan. 26, 1907.Madelaine remembers being at this new house with her mother and her brother Henry.Madelaine's mother died on April 1, 1907.
The Foglietta family lived across the street from the Pica family.The father was a politician and his son, Thomas Foglietti, ran as a Republican against Frank Rizzo for mayor of Philadelphia in 1972. As a Democrat, he served in Congress and in 1998 as ambassador to Italy.
Many records of the Pica children and grandchildren are at Saint Mary Magdalene Church.This church, at 712 Montrose Street,is near the Italian Market.Madelaine was last there in 1925.At that time, the Pica family was still very well known.Madelaine and her brother Henry both visited the church and got good information.Tom DiFilippo adds, " The church had a fire and many of the old records were destroyed."
More About LUIGI PICA:
Burial: 29 September 1902, Holy Cross Cemetery, Darby, PASection 16, Range 6, Lot 30-CR/12
Occupation: 1900, Decorative Painter
Notes for ANGELA SANDASERIA:
The following information is from Isabel Veranti Prince. "Maria Rosa cooked for the prisoners in the local jail.Her daughter, Angela, would bring the food to the prison and give it to the guard, Luigi Pica.Luigi was very handsome.They fell in love and were married."
According to notes written in 1979, Madeline Mancinelli writes that her grandmother Angela Sandaseria, was married twice. Her first husband's name is unknown. She had 9 daughters and 4 died in infancy.This fact is disputed by Tom DiFilippo who writes " My mother was specific that she had a sister, name unknown, who died when only a little over a year old.This sister was born between Clementina and Marie Rose.
Luigi and Angela lived at 703 Fallon Street. Maria Pica DiFilippo's birth certificate gives her place of birth as Fallon Street.Fallon Street was later named Montrose St.At one time, Aunt Janie lived in the corner house.Later, Angela and Luigi moved around the corner to 731 Clymer St.This street today is mostly restored and is part of Queen Village, just south of Society Hill neighborhood.Angela moved from the home of one daughter to another before she finally settled with her daughter Maria Rose.It was at this home that Angela died in 1927.
Angela Pica is listed as the owner of the cemetery plot 16-6-30-CR & N in Holy Cross Cemetery, Darby, PA. Owner ID :301629.There are 2 graves and 7 spaces - Order of burial - Luigi Pica, Michele Regali, Thomas Mancinelli, Angela Pica, Raffaele D. DiFilippo, Rose DiFilippo.One space is reserved.
More About ANGELA SANDASERIA:
Burial: 13 April 1927, Holy Cross Cemetery, Darby, PASection 16, Range 6, Lot 30-CR/8
Children of LUIGI PICA and ANGELA SANDASERIA are:
2. | i. | MARY2 PICA, b. Bef. 1868, Italy; d. Unknown, Massachusetts. | |
3. | ii. | CLEMENTINE PICA, b. 05 September 1868, Vaglio-Potenza-Basilicat, Italy; d. September 1957, East Lansdowne, PA. | |
4. | iii. | GAETANA PICA, b. 18 April 1877, Philadelphia, PA; d. 01 April 1907, Philadelphia, PA. | |
5. | iv. | MARIA ROSA PICA, b. 01 June 1882, Philadelphia,PA; d. 01 October 1980, Drexel Hill, PA. | |
6. | v. | ELEANORA PICA, b. 14 June 1887, Philadelphia, PA; d. 17 August 1969, Havertown, PA. |