Italians
Possibly the first Italian to settle in Lansingburgh was Joseph Ravany, Sr. (Rafeney, Raveney, Ravani, etc.), who first shows up on the US Census of 1860 as a tin peddler lodging with the family of Edward Bigelow, also a tin peddler but who was born in France. The Ravany family would continue to live in Lansingburgh until the 1890s, at which point they departed for California and New Mexico. They would continue to visit and own property in Lansingburgh through the first decade of the 1900s. Judging from newspaper items, he seems to have enjoyed a fair degree of success and popularity. Joseph Ravany, Sr., born about 1826, died in Albuquerque in 1915. Joseph Ravany, Jr., born 1863, died in California in 1950.
For most of the period from 1860 through the 1890s the censuses don’t appear to record any other residents of Lansingburgh born in Italy apart from one other man. Louis Angell worked as a hostler while boarding with James Dougrey, Jr., hotel keeper, was enumerated on the 1870 US Census.
During the 1880s and 1890s newspaper items record a number of Italians working in Lansingburgh on sewers, the railroad, and occasionally other jobs, but unless the censuses missed them they must have been residents of neighboring places. The 1900 US Census, the last to record Lansingburgh as a distinct village and town prior to the 1901 annexation of the Village of Lansingburgh by the City of Troy, did record a number of Italian laborers in Northern Lansingburgh, though – thirty nine people born in Italy altogether, the vast majority of them lodging with Charles Anton, himself Italian.
—The excavations for the water works have been made as far south as Middle street on John.
—An Italian laborer working in the trench near South street, was prostrated by the heat yesterday, and for a long time lay in an unconscious condition.
—At the meeting of the water commissioner Monday evening Trustee John Brooks was appointed superintendent of the water works. Mr. Brooks has served faithfully at the Troy pumping station, and his selection is a good one.
—On Monday an Italian laborer was serious injured by the caving in of the bank while excavating for water main on John street near Elizabeth street. It was at first thought he was fatally hurt, but his injuries proved less serious than supposed.
Lansingburgh Courier. June 28, 1884: 5 col 2.
—Many of the Italian laborers engaged in the construction of the Elizabeth street sewer were compelled to quit work last week owing the extreme cold. A number of them were severely frost bitten.
“Village Notes.” Lansingburgh Courier. December 27, 1884: 3 col 2.
This morning the bank of a sewer excavation at the corner of John and Mohawk streets, Lansingburgh, caved in, burying two Italian laborers. When extricated one of the Italians, known as No. 210, was found to be badly injured. His leg was broken, and it is thought he has sustained internal injuries. His companion was severely bruised.
Troy Daily Times. May 20, 1885: 3 col 6.
The Italian laborers employed on the Nineteenth street sewer, Lansingburgh, struck for $1.50 a day this morning, and left work. They have been paid $1.25. Sherman & McDonough, the contractors, are looking for help.
Troy Daily Times. November 1, 1886: 3 col 6.
An Italian, known as No. 12, was badly crushed about the body and arms yesterday afternoon by the caving of a bank at the Nineteenth street sewer.
“Lansingburgh.” Troy Daily Times. November 4, 1886: 3 col 5.
The embankment fell upon an Italian laborer at work on the Nineteenth street sewer Wednesday and one of his hips and an arm were badly injured.
The Italian Laborers employed on the Nineteenth street sewer have resumed work, the contractors, Sherman & McDonough, complying with their demand for $1.50 a day.
“Notes About Town.” Lansingburgh Courier. November 6, 1886: 3 col 2.
Twenty-five Italians arrived in the ‘burgh this weekend are at work on the [One Hundred] Nineteenth street sewer.
“Notes About Town.” Lansingburgh Courier. November 20, 1886: 3 col 2.
—James Bell and Fred. O’Hara were before Police Justice Gallagher Saturday charged with breaking windows in the Italian saloon on Second avenue, and otherwise creating a disturbance. They were sentenced to six months imprisonment each to the satisfaction of every law-abiding citizen in the place.
Lansingburgh Courier. October 6, 1892: 3 col 3.
William J. Shelliday, clerk of the school commissioners, and Joseph Raveny are home from a trip to Florida.
“Lansingburgh.” Troy Daily Times. October 27, 1892: 3 col 3.
—Joseph Raveny, who had been absent for some months traveling, has returned home. On his trip he visited Washington, Oregon, California, Mexico and many of the central states.
“Lansingburgh.” Troy Daily Times. June 20, 1896: 4 col 3.
—Joseph Raveny, sr., leaves to-day for Albuquerque, N. M.
“Lansingburgh.” Troy Daily Times. July 10, 1896: 4 col 2.
—Joseph Raveny an George Cheseborough won first and second prizes respectively at a euchre party given in Germania hall, Troy, last night.
“Among Pleasure Seekers.” Troy Daily Times. December 8, 1896: 4 col 3.
—Joseph Raveny will entertain friends to-morrow night with a turkey supper. Mr. Raveny will depart soon for California.
“Lansingburgh; Where Pleasure Reigns.” Troy Daily Times. December 9, 1896: 4 col 2.
—The friends of Joseph Raveny were entertained with a collation last night. Mr. Raveny will depart next week to spend the winter in Redland, Col. [sic]
“Lansingburgh.” Troy Daily Times. December 11, 1896: 4 col 1.
—Joseph Raveny of [One Hundred] Twelfth street left last night for Redlands, Cal.
“Lansingburgh.” Troy Daily Times. December 28, 1896: 2 col 4.
—A group photograph of the Cocobola Gun Club was taken yesterday afternoon by Joseph Raveny.
“Lansingburgh.” Troy Daily Times. February 20, 1897: 4 col 2.
The Cocobola Gun Club, which was disbanded last year, has been reorganized. A meeting was held last evening, and plans were made to put the club in a position to be a permanent organization. Weekly meetings will be held during the winter. Temporary officers were chosen as follows: President, Charles Chapman; vice president, Edward Ott; secretary, James McQuide; treasurer, F. O. Anger. The following committee was appointed to make arrangements for a supper to be given Thanksgiving evening in honor of a former member, Joseph Raveny, who is expected home from New Mexico: Frederick J. Felt, Augustus I. Seibert, Edward Consaul and Edward Skillman. Henry Mercier was given charge of the clubrooms.
“Lansingburgh.” Troy Daily Times. October 13, 1899: 4 col 2.
—Joseph Ravany and son, of Albuquerque, N. M., are visiting in Troy. They are former residents and left Lansingburgh five years ago.
“Upper Troy.” Troy Daily Times. July 9, 1901: 4 col 2.
—Joseph Raneny and son, Joseph Raveny, jr., who have been visiting friends in Upper Troy several weeks, will visit the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo this week and will later proceed to Detroit. They will then return to their home in Albuquerque, N. M. Mr. Raveny and family resided in Troy at one time.
“Upper Troy.” Troy Daily Times. July 29, 1901: 4 col 2.
—Comesky & Morier have also sold for Joseph Raveny of Bernalillo, Territory of New Mexico, the two-story brick dwelling and bakery on the northwest corner of Twelfth Street and Sixth Avenue, Upper Troy, to Henry A. Knopf of Watervliet. The same firm has also sold for Mr. Raveny the two-story brick store and dwelling on the north side of Twelfth Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenue, to Rosa S. McConville.
Troy Times. April 6, 1907: 5 col 1.