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Immigration
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Leaving Italy
I left Italy because I was very poor. My family's farm had very poor soil, which killed the crops. The weather, also did not help the crops grow. The amount of pests and insects that we encountered were unbelieveable. In America, I could have money and my own land. I dreamed of America day and night. My farm had an abundance of crops that tasted amazing. I can't wait to get to my America! -
Ellis Island
I arrived at Ellis Island after a long boat ride in the steerage. Seeing the Statue of Liberty gave the everyone here hope that they would make it through. With my clothes, two family photos. a blanket, and my life's savings I enter the building. There were some many people there. I was moved into a long line where they were making sure nobody was sick. I finally made it to the start and they thought I was sick! I had to stay on there for four days until I finally became a citizen of America!!! -
Found Work and Met Someone Special
I found work at a very over crowded factory. We worked with little to no breaks. By the end of the day I didn't want to do anything, but sleep, although I still had chores. I would work for very long hours sometimes even on Saturdays. One good thing that came from this job was a man. Oh he was so kind, caring, and quiet. They always say opposites attract and that is what happened with us. Him quiet and myself loud. Oh this man I dream about him and love seeing him everyday. -
Marriage
On Feburary 17, 1862 I married the man of my dreams! His name is Roberto Farrell. The wedding was all that I had hoped and dreamed for I was with Roberto and some of our family came. Although, we did not have a big party and it was not very formal, but I think that was all we needed. One of my four brothers came, two of my three sisters, two of Roberto's brothers came, and so did his only sister. I thought it was so sweet of these family members to come. I will always remember this day. -
Wanting a Farm
Roberto and I had both grown up on a farm and both were not nice farms, but we still wanted a farm. We wanted to leave New York because it was getting way too overcrowded and the jobs did not pay very well. Also, New York was not clean whatsoever. In the west we could have our own farm together and there was a possobility that we could make a better living off of the farm. Also, some of the land was a whole lot nicer than what we had both lived on in the past, so we though we could handle this. -
Homestead Act
The homestead act was finally sigen on the 20th of May after the South ahd left the Union. The law offered people 160 acers of land, if they were willing to improve it and live on it for at least five years. This was amazing news and just the news Roberto and I wanted to hear. We wanted land, but didn't have the money for it. Now though alll we have to do is improve the government land and maybe someday it could be ours. Look out wet, here we come! -
Leaving New York
Leaving New York was exciting, but sad. It was exciting that when we got to the west we might be getting our own land, but it was sad to leave the place where I had first stepped foot in America. I am so glad to be done working in the sweatshop and I think quite Roberto is too. We had our hopes high about the land, but that hope was what kept us going as we made our way west. We were ready for the challenge and could not wait to get there. -
Best Friends
When we first left New York we did not know anybody in our company. We made friends fast with the one couple about our age though. They were also immigrants, but were both from England. They meet each other through the friends they both made in New York. They also wanted land of their own. We became very fast friends finding one thing after another about what we had in common. We hoped to get land together and stuck with each other for most of the journey. -
Not the Horse
We stopped in a little town to get some more food for the two horses and Roberto, our new friends, and I decided to stay the night. We planned on sleeping in our wagons. We got the food and were relieved to see that it was not as expensive as we thought that it would be. We slept hard that night and were greatful for the day of rest. In the middle of the night we heard a bang! Roberto hopped out with a gun in hand and fell to his knees when he saw one of our horse, dead. -
Close to Death
We got our land fairly easy, but since it was almost winter we had to build a little cabing with two small rooms. We planned to build a better one in the summer. Soon after we were finished with the cabin and upacking I fell very ill. The doctor though that I would be over this little cold and be back on my feet soon. That doctor was wrong, it took me almost a whole month to get over the cold. At one point I couldn't talk and had a hard time sitting up and I thought that I would surely die. -
Finally Settled
Getting completely settled, starting our crops, building a nice home, and getting into a daily habit of everything took a very long time. I thought that we were never going to improve this land, but I tried not to give up hope. Over the years we had three kids which have learned to be very good helpers. We have gotten more animals which are helping provide food and are really helping. I am so happy that we have been able to maintain this land and I hope to keep it until I die.
