Based on the above article, when Antonio Nardini “first came to America’s shores the Franco-Prussian war was at it’s height”.
Since the Franco-Prussian war lasted from 19 July 1870 to 28 January 1871, it reasonable to assume that Antonio Nardini “first came to America’s shores” in 1870.
Also from the Evening Telegram article, Antonio Nardini “wandered to Newfoundland in 1876”.
Antonio’s arrival in Newfoundland, did not hamper his travels. It would appear that he made regular trips to Italy.
The suggestion is that Antonio Nardini left Italy in 1861 at 22 years old.
Based on the above, as well as other documentation, Barga, Lucca is a reference to the home of Antonio Nardini. Barga, Lucca is located in Toscana, Italy.
The above piece from the St. John’s “Evening Mercury” suggests that Antonio Nardini was well established as a Sandy Point merchant in 1883. Fish were plentiful in Bay St. George during this period, which resulted in a very lucrative trade. Antonio sucessfully built a business of buying and exporting lobster, Herring, Cod and Salmon.
At one point, Antonio operated a lobster factory in the Highlands area of Bay St. George.
By the 1890s, the coming of the railway is in the news. On this coast, where the only means of transportation is by water, there is heightened anticipation and expectation.
With the coming of the railway, life in Bay St. George would be profoundly changed.
On December 30, 1886, Antonio Nardini married Josephine Pendergast at Sandy Point in Bay St. George.
Name From Parents Born
Anthony Nardini…………Sandy Point (no name) Italy
Josephine Pendergast…St. John’s (no name) St.Johns
SOURCE; Sandy Point Immaculate Conception RC Church Records
In 1901, Antonio Nardini decided to relocate his family from Sandy Point to Main River.
In 1902, Antonio Nardini relocated his family from Sandy Point to Main River or more accurately the “Main Gut”. The newly built house was located near a small pond on the west side of the new railway tracks and on the south side of the main gut. The location would eventually become known as “Nardini’s Crossing” or “Nardini’s”. The Nardini residence and Store were located near a pond that would become known as “Nardini’s Pond”.
In the 1890s, the people of Bay St. George are eagerly anticipating the coming of the railway. It is difficult to fully appreciate the significance of a railway on a coast where the only means of transportation is by water.
Antonio Nardini is included in McAlpine’s 1904 Directory for Main River. He is listed as “Shopkeeper and Postmaster.
Alexander, Andrew; fisherman
Alexander, Adolph; fisherman
Alexander, John; fisherman
Alexander, Adolph jr. ; fisherman
Alexander, John jr. ; fisherman
Benoit, Peter; guide and fisherman
Benoit, Michael; fisherman
Benoit, James; fisherman
Benoit, Charles; guide and fisherman
Brown, William; fisherman
Blanchard, Pascal; fisherman
Benoit, Oliver; guide and fisherman
Benoit, William jr. ; fisherman
Benoit, Abraham; fisherman
Corner, George; general dealer
Delaney, Louis; fisherman
Fleet, John; fisherman
Kennedy, John; fisherman
McFatridge, Walter; fisherman
Swyer, James; fisherman
Nardini, Antoino; shopkeeper and post master
Tobin, Wm. ; guide and fisherman
Roberts, John; fisherman
Young, Joseph; fisherman
It is important to note that the 1904 McAlpine’s Directory for “Main River” included the communities of Matt’s Point, the Stephenville Railway Crossing, Seal Cove and Main Gut.
The 1911 census of the area separated the communities. In 1911, there are 4 families living at “Main River” aka “Main Gut” aka “Nardini’s Crossing” aka Nardini’s”
Interestingly, in 1904 the trains stopped at both Stephenville Crossing and Nardini’s Crossing.
Before the arrival of the railway, the residents of “Matt’s Point” would have to use a boat to cross over the main river to the north side.
With arrival of the railway, the trains stop at the “Stephenville Railway Crossing”, which is located at “The Prarie” aka “Benoit’s”.
With the bridging of Main Gut, one can walk from the “Stephenville Railway Crossing” to St. George’s.
For the people of “Matt’s Point”, they can now walk to the railway tracks and cross over the gut to the “Stephenville Railway Crossing”. But, before reaching the railway tracks, they will have to cross the mouth of “The Little River”.
The headstone is located in the Roman Catholic Cemetary at Sandy Point in Bay St. George, Newfoundland.
Josephine Pendergast died on August 3rd, 1932. Josephine is listed as “aged 74 years”, which suggests that she was born in 1858.
Also included on the headstone is Antonia (sic) Nardini, who died on October 2nd, 1919. Antonio is listed as “aged 78 years”, which suggests that he was born in 1841.
The 1911 census for Main River suggests that Antonio Nardini is 70 years old, which suggests that he was born in 1841.
The Newfoundland Vital Statistics states Antonio Nardini died in 1919, at “80 years”, old suggesting that he was born in 1839.
Based on the above, it is reasonable to assume that Antonio was born between 1839 and 1841 and most likely 1841.
My research of the period, revealed that Antonio Nardini was both an enterprising and well travelled man. There were many news reports of his many visits to St. John’s and other parts of Newfoundland. He made many trips to Canada, the United States and Europe. There were also reports of Antonio visiting Mexico and Central America.
Antonio also made at least 3 trips back to his home in Italy. The Western Star reported on 3 of these trips in 1903, 1905 and 1916.
Following the passing of Antonio, the family relocates from Nardini’s Crossing to Stephenville Crossing.
See Below…..
The 1921 Census – Stephenville Crossing
