In the mid-1800s, Boston’s North End was a lively tapestry of culture, featuring open-air markets and the historic churches of Saint Leonard and the Italian Sacred Heart Church. As if that weren’t enough, the neighborhood was further enlivened by Italian street performers who brought their talents to the bustling streets. With their vibrant music, the street musicians and performers became icons of Italian cultural expression for the immigrant community. Interestingly, the roots of this street performance tradition can be traced back to London, where Italian immigrants had previously established themselves as street musicians.
However, alongside this cultural blossoming, organized crime began to take hold of the North End around the 1870s. Different Italian factions started vying for control of the growing immigrant population and its activities. Groups like the Black Hand engaged in extortion and protection rackets, exploiting the struggles of new arrivals. This marked the start of a complicated relationship between cultural identity and criminality within the Italian-American communities.
Among those who were part of this vibrant yet tumultuous world were Maria Labadini, Katie, and brothers Luigi and Giovanni, born to Francesco Labadini and Angela Cademartori. Their parents, originally from Lucca, Italy, had married in London before making their way to Boston’s North End.
After the passing of Lazzaro Maestri (1810-1867) in Campi Albareto, Italy, his childern Ferdinand, Moise, and Massimina arrived and settled on North Street in Boston’s Little Italy. Another sister, Amallie, married her cousin Natalie (who was born in New Orleans) in Campi Albareto on January 14, 1884 before eventually moving to New Orleans herself.
Maria Labadini married Ferdinand Maestri while her sister Katie Labadini marries his brother Moise Maestri. Their sister Massimina Maestri marries Giovanni Ferrari, the Ferrari family remained in Boston. Ferdinand and Marie Maestri have three children while living on North Street in Boston – Angelica Maestri (sadly died at just 2 months old), Desolina Maestri (a nun – Mother Cabrini sends to New Orleans) and Lazard Maestri (never marries lives in NOLA works for Police Department).
Once in New Orleans Ferdinand and Marie would have many more children including Jenny Maestri Dale.