Downs/McCachren and Cappiello/Piscitelli Collection, 1860-2015

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MS-2020-049

Staff Only

Content Description

The Downs/McCachren and Cappiello/Piscitelli Collection consists of items relating to these families. The bulk of the collection is from the Piscitelli and McCachren families. Most items date from the 1920s-2000s. 

This collection is arranged into 7 series:

Churches, 1939, includes a single book from the Second Presbyterian Church. 

Family Records, 1860-2015, are divided into family group surnames of Downs, Griffith, McCachren, and Piscitelli. The bulk of these records are from the Piscitelli family, followed by the McCachren and Griffith brothers’ Civil War correspondence. The surname records are then divided by individual names of the family members, and contain the available materials of each person, i.e. correspondence, news clippings, certificates, and other related family materials. 

Postcards, 1943-1944, consists of World War II postcards brought back Anthony Piscitelli. 

Programs, 1999, consists of a single program from a motion simulator in Florida. 

Photographs, 1902-2009, includes family photographs, as well as church and school groups family members participated in. Also included are photographs of aircraft and pictures from the 33rd Photo Reconnaissance Squadron Anthony belonged to. 

Scrapbooks, 1914-1940s, includes three scrapbooks: one belonging to Anthony Piscitelli, with the other two housing photographs of McCachren family and friends. 

Artifacts, 1904-1940s, contains three-dimensional items of family sentimental value. 

Dates

1860 - 2015

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to the public without restriction. The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to duplicate or publish material from this collection must be obtained from the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

Biographical / Historical

The Piscitelli and McCachren families were joined in 1947, when Anthony Emanuel Piscitelli* (1915-2007) and Alice Woodrow McCachren* (1917-1990) married. Their children were Laura Anne (Weaver)* (1948- ) and Philip Anthony* (1950-2004).

Anthony Piscitelli was born in New Haven, Connecticut, and later came to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he met and married Alice McCachren. Anthony was one of ten children born to Felice* (1883-1955) and Laura Anne Cappiello Piscitelli* (1887-1962). His siblings included Philomena (1909-1975), James (1911-1918), Maria Grace (1913-?), Carmelina M. (1917-2010), James J. (1919-1996), Francis (1921-2000), Michael Carmen* (1923-1977), Joseph J. (1926-1990), Clemente (1928-1991), and Domenic R. (1928-1985).

Alice Woodrow McCachren’s family were longtime residents of Cabarrus and Mecklenburg counties. She was one of thirteen children born to Roland Peter* (1872-1920) and Jonathan Ann “Jonsie” Downs McCachren* (1881-1954). Her siblings included Nancy Lenora (Sherrill)* (1899-1957), Agnes Uelah (Pyron) (1900-1981), an infant son (1902-1902), Jonathan Edward* (1903-2001), Mary Ophelia (Sides) (1906-1991), Lorene Alexandria (Elliott) (1907-1974), Winnie Banks (1908-1992), David Downs (1910-2004), James Roland (1911-?), Elizabeth Blair (Huey) (1913-2007), William Henry (1915-2001), George Ennis* (1919-2008).

“Jonsie” Downs McCachren was one of eight children born to Ambrose Boswell* (1834-1904) and Nancy R. Griffith Downs* (1843-1918). Her siblings were Thomas (1862-?), Alabama* (1865-?), Teresa (Wilson) (1866-1942), Boswell (1869-1873), Annie, Ruth, (1871-?), and Cora (1872-1873).

Nancy Griffith Downs was one of eight children born to James Boyce (1797-1865) and Francis Downs (1799-1885). Her siblings were Robert M. (?-1846), Thomas Downs (1820-1864), William Franklin (1825-1893), Mary C (Bartlett) (1831-1903), Margaret Matilda (Stewart) (1837-1904) James H.* (1837-1866), and John Larkin* (1841-1864). Thomas, James, and John served during the Civil War, and Thomas and John both died in 1864 due to wounds received during battle. James survived the war, but had been captured at Gettysburg, released a month later, surrendered at Appomattox, and died the following year.

*denotes material currently in the collection for this person.

Extent

5.94 Cubic Feet

11.34 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Downs/McCachren and Cappiello/Piscitelli Collection contains a variety of materials for the Downs, McCachren, Cappiello, and Piscitelli families. The Downs and McCachren families have been longtime residents of Cabarrus and Mecklenburg counties, while the Cappiello and Piscitelli families came from Italy and settled in New Haven, Connecticut. Anthony Piscitelli settled in Charlotte after marrying Alice McCachren in 1947.

Members of these families for whom materials may be found are listed below, and a more detailed family tree is discussed under Historical Note.

Downs:

Ambrose Boswell Downs (1834-1904); his wife, Nancy R. Griffith (1843-1918); their daughter, Alabama (1865-?), and daughter, Jonathan Anne “Jonsie” Downs-McCachren (1881-1954).

McCachren:

Jonathan Edward McCachren; Nancy Louise McCachren; Roland Peter McCachren (1872-1920); his wife, (married 1898) Jonathan Anne “Jonsie” Downs-McCachren; their daughter, Alice McCachren-Piscitelli (1917-1990); and son, George (1919-2008).

Cappiello:

Laura Anne Cappiello-Piscitelli (1887-1962).

Piscitelli:

Felice (1883-1955); his wife, Laura Anne Cappiello-Piscitelli; their son, Michael (1923-1977); their son, Anthony (1915-2007); Anthony’s wife, Alice McCachren-Piscitelli; Anthony’s daughter, Laura Anne (1948- ); and Anthony’s son, Philip Anthony (1950-2004).

This collection contains artifacts, documents, photographs, and scrapbooks.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into 8 series:

Churches, 1939, includes a single book from the Second Presbyterian Church.

Family Records, 1860-2015, are divided into family group surnames of Downs, Griffith, McCachren, and Piscitelli. The bulk of these records are from the Piscitelli family, followed by the McCachren and Griffith brothers’ Civil War correspondence. The surname records are then divided by individual names of the family members, and contain the available materials of each person, i.e. correspondence, news clippings, certificates, and other related family materials.

Postcards, 1943-1944, consists of World War II postcards brought back Anthony Piscitelli.

Programs, 1999, consists of a single program from a motion simulator in Florida.

Photographs, 1902-2009, includes family photographs, as well as church and school groups family members participated in. Also included are photographs of aircraft and pictures from the 33rd Photo Reconnaissance Squadron Anthony belonged to.

Scrapbooks, 1914-1940s, includes three scrapbooks: one belonging to Anthony Piscitelli, with the other two housing photographs of McCachren family and friends.

Artifacts, 1904-1940s, contains three-dimensional items of family sentimental value.

Miscellaneous, undated.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was donated to the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room by Laura Anne Piscitelli Weaver in 2015 and 2019.

Related Materials

Downs Family. (CALL NUMBER: NCR VERTICAL FILES)

Condition Description

Materials in good condition.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of this collection was completed by Hannah Cox in August 2016. Lacey Stith and Sydney Carroll processed materials donated in 2019.