Gilbert CASHARAGO

February 6, 1806 - April 10, 1886

Born in Genoa, Italy
Died in Republican, Arkansas

From Faulkner Co., Its Land and People, p. 341:

THE GILBERT CASHARAGO FAMILY
"Gilbert Casharago was born in Genoa, Italy, on February 6, 1806. He lived at this place until moving to Arkansas about 1856. He located three miles north of Greenbrier in Faulkner County.
Casharago joined the Methodist Church about 1874. He was an earnest Christian and a faithful member of the Methodist Church and in time became a preacher of this faith. In 1886, Z.W. Lindsey of Clinton wrote this about him: "It was a privilege to visit Brother Casharago several times when I was his pastor. He was always willing to quit his work and talk about religion and the Bible. He only spoke the Italian language so we had to use an interpreter."
Mr. Casharago was ill for several years before his death on April 10, 1886. By that time he had learned a little English and his last words were, "I am going home."
Mr. Casharago was survived by a wife and four married daughters, besides a host of relatives and friends.

Source: Arkansas Methodist

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"On July 19, 1930, three daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Casharago were still living in Faulkner County and were interviewed about their family's emigrating to America from Italy about 1850. The sisters were Mrs. Hetty Mallett, aged 86; Mrs. Lou Kate, aged 83; and Mrs. Lila McMillen, aged 80.
In 1850, they explained, when Vitorio Emanuele was King of Italy and Pius IX was Pope, the Casharago family became tired of religious oppression and government disorder and decided to leave their country and come to America. Laws of Italy made it illegal for boys to leave the country, so they were disguised as girls in order to get them on the ship.
They told of the seven-month hazardous crossing. Those who died on the ship were buried in the Atlantic and their bodies devoured by giant sharks. The family finally landed at New Orleans and then began an arduous trip from there to Little Rock. At Little Rock the family purchased a wagon, ox team, household items, guns and ammunition, and traveled to Prairie County. After two years there, the family moved to what is now Faulkner County.
The sisters told of the plentiful game supply in Arkansas and that gardens and grain fields were usually enclosed with high rail fences for protection from animals. With much interest they described early home conditions. Furniture was very simple and made for service instead of for appearance. One of the sisters called attention to the dress she was wearing which had been made of homespun cloth fifty years before. Cornhuskings and quiltings were common at that time and church meetings were held annually.
When asked to give a description of Conway in 1850, they smiled and explained that there was no Conway in 1850 - that only trees and grass were growing where the city now stands. Before the railroad was built in 1873 the Casharago sisters made from one to five trips a year to Little Rock to sell produce and buy supplies. "These trips, " one explained, "were very romantic." They would take about a week for each trip. They camped any place they happened to be when night came. At Little Rock they had to cross a pontoon bridge to get into town.
All three sisters outlived their husbands and all remained faithful Christians to the end of their lives."

Source: Log Cabin Democrat


With the mention of the Methodist church in the first part of the article, Casharago researchers may want to contact the Methodist Archives. They should have some information on Gilbert Casharago. Also, the port of arrival would be New Orleans. Hope this helps in the search for their ship.

Photo & data;
courtesy of hawkinsdonna@att.net

Contributed on 6/11/10 by mountain_veteran
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Record #: 330497

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