Sunday, 15 December 2019

24.

SEARCH FOR GRANDPA MOTT'S BIRTHPLACE  
(Rocco Vincenzo Sarli AKA Joseph Louis Mott)   

by Joseph Dennis Mott, grandson              

There were several times in our family when the subject of Grandpa Mott came up.
The discussion always centered around "two uncles." I remember one time in particular. It was in the summer, and it must have been around 1955. With a little research, I can pinpoint the year, since it was the summer that Dad had come home to recuperate following an operation at St. Mary Corwin Hospital in Pueblo, Colorado. We were sitting in the living room one afternoon, and I believe someone was visiting him, a family member I believe, and the subject of Grandpa Mott came up. 


My father said that his father, Grandpa Mott, had come from Italy with two uncles, and they were robbed and killed in Denver, Colorado. I didn't hear much more from my father other than that. I know that he wanted to know more about his father, and he must have done some searching, since, in later years, I heard him say that his father "may have changed his name," since no one was able to find where he came from.

In papers handed down, there is a typed sheet entitled: "Life History of J.L. Mott Senior and Family." J.L. Mott, Senior, is my father Jacob Lyman Mott, Sr. I am not sure how I obtained the paper. Perhaps it was my sister Joyce or another one of my sisters who wrote it. It is apparent that they were getting the information from my father. Here is what it says:          

"Life History of J.L. Mott Senior and Family"
He was born in Manassa, Colorado in the month of June 13, 1893 to Joseph Louis Mott and Mary Emeline Kelly Mott. He was the youngest of four boys. In the order of their birth was first Joseph Elmer born October 26, 1886, Morgan, Colorado
Joel Heber born June 8, 1889, Morgan, Colorado
Jesse Oscar born December 25, 1889, Morgan, Colorado.

He lived about a week after birth according to the memory of Jacob Lyman.

Jacob's father owned a piece of land NW corner of Manassa and they lived their for some time. He doesn't know how long. Then they moved to Morgan, Colorado. This is a little farming community situated about nine miles NW of LaJara, Colorado. This is where his father was taken ill when Jacob was about two years old. He had an inflammation of the bowels which in this day would probably be considered appendix trouble. He passed away October 4, 1895. Emeline continued to live there in Morgan and work at various places doing general things like housework and cooking.

A little about Jacob's father as best he can remember was that Joseph was born in Lava Jaw, Salorum County, Italy in August 1860. He came from the old country with two uncles. They were musicians.
They played the violins and Joseph played the harp which is still in the home of his son Jacob. These two uncles and Joseph played up around Central City, Colorado, and in the locale of Denver in probably some where in the years 1875 or thereof. From the information passed down from Joseph's wife Emeline the two uncles were murdered for their possessions. These were the rough mining days of Colorado. I being a granddaughter hope to go through the records of these old day of Colorado and seek out more information as to this account of the two uncles, and to find their names and etc. As far as we know Joseph had a sister named Josephine born in 1864, Larvas Jaw, Italy and she died in 1868.

On another day I will comment on information from Mary Olive Mott, Uncle Elmer Mott, and Grandma Mott, and compare it with what my sister wrote. Mary Olive used to talk to Grandma a lot when Lyman and Mary Olive lived in the Carmel District.

2 comments:

  1. I will transcribe a note written by either Joseph Louis Mott (Grandpa Mott) or Mary Emeline Kelly Mott, written on some old stationary:

    Morgan, Colo
    th
    Feb 8
    1892
    Joseph L Mott was born August the 2, 1862
    Mary Emeline Mott was born
    August the 2 1868
    Joseph Elmer Mott was born on
    Tuesday the 26 day of October 1886
    Joel Heber Mott was born on Saturday
    the 8 day of June 1889.
    Jesse Oscar Mott was born on
    Friday the 25 day of December 1891
    and departed this life the 18 day
    of January 1892.
    Jacob Lyman Mott was born the

    (and here is all the note says, as the remainder is torn off)

    Joseph Dennis Mott

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  2. Regarding "Larvasjaw":

    Father Bonifacio Bolognani of Trento, Italy wrote me back when I inquired of him where Larvasjaw was. He is the author of "Courageous People of the Dolomites" and other books about the people from Trentino, Italy who immigrated to Trindidad,
    Colorado, to work in the coal mines. I thought maybe "Larvasjaw" was in northern Italy, since that is where Uncle Elmer had thought his father came from. I will transcribe the letter:

    Febr.2nd.1990
    Dear Mr. Mott:
    I had from Mr. Pellegrini of Chicago, my friend, your letter.
    But is real a "PUZZLE" to find out something about your family tree.With friends we try to find out about this place:LARVASJAW,SOLOROM. There is not such a name in any place in Italy..You should find out and to be more explicit...Please, try to inquire..and write back. The Mott in Trentino or our Province are in PRIMIERO REGION..we have on the telephone book about ten families..But it is very far from my place.But even if this place would be here..I have not enough information from you..to be able to find out.He was born...in LARVASJAV SOLOROM..where it is this place.. not in Italy, certainly. We HAVE many MARONI..(mother's name) in Trentino..BUt how to find out?
    It is interesting the "saga" o story of your ancestors in Colorado.Indeed, interesting! Not even LAVASCHIO near Telve or BORGOBorgo Valsugana is available. No Mott in those places of Telve or Borgo!
    Sorry about this/Very sorryTry to find out ,please!
    Give us clearer indications!
    I am happy that you found by Pellegrini my book.
    Sincerely I am
    fr.Bolognani
    THE DECONCINI of Arizona(Senator,Evo De Concini) are my friends.
    I visited them in Tucson, many times.ARIZONA is the best State!

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