By Muriel Bristol | February 5, 2021
Nicholas L. Mucci was born in Florence, Italy, August 22, 1869. (If, as would seem to have been the case, Angelo P. Mucci of Sanford, ME, was his brother, then both were sons of Iacopo Mucci).
Nicholas L. Mucci married in Florence, Tuscany, Italy, October 16, 1892, Teresa Laurezi (also given as Lorenzi). She was born in Florence, Italy, August 2, 1871, daughter of Joseph Lorenzo.
Nicholas Mucci, a country man, aged twenty-eight years, and his wife, Teresa Mucci, aged twenty-six years, both of Firenze, i.e., Florence, Italy, sailed from Genoa, Italy, April 14, 1898, on the S.S. Kaiser Wilhelm II (1889), arriving in New York, NY, April 28, 1898. They would be joining his brother (her brother-in-law), presumably at their stated “final” destination of Boston, MA.
Nicholas Mucci appeared in the Milton directory of 1900, as running a fruit and confectionary store at 48 Main street in Milton Mills, with his house at Sanford, ME.
Mucci’s fellow countryman, Raffaele A. “Ralph” Ferretti (1864-1931), had opened a very similar establishment in neighboring Farmington, NH, in 1894. Descriptions of his business activities may give us some sense of the “flavor” of Mucci’s Milton Mills store.
LOCALS. Ralph Ferretti has a new cart of attractive appearance which he will keep on the road with fruit and ice cream this summer. He also has recently purchased a gas engine to operate his ice cream freezer (Farmington News, May 17, 1895).
LOCALS. That Ferretti makes caramels of the finest flavor to be found, is the decision of all good judges (Farmington News, November 13, 1896).
In 1899, Ferretti advertised Ice Cream, “Made from the Very Best Cream, with the Highest Quality of Flavoring Extracts. Special Prices by the Gallon;” Ice Cold Soda (i.e., “tonics”), “Flavored with the Best Fruit Syrups;” and Fruit, “of all kinds at the lowest living prices” (Farmington News, May 12, 1899). Five pounds of chocolate might be obtained for $1.
Nicolas Mucci, a storekeeper, aged thirty years (b. Italy), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of six years), Teresa Mucci, aged twenty-eight years (b. Italy), his daughter, Eliza Mucci, aged three months (b. NH), and his boarder, Angelo Lenzi, a storekeeper, aged twenty-one years (b. Italy). Nicholas Mucci rented their house. Teresa Mucci was the mother of two children, of whom two were still living. They had immigrated into the U.S. in 1897. (Their boarder had immigrated into the U.S. in 1895). Their household was enumerated between those of Elisha S. Gerrish, a farm laborer, aged fifty-one years (b. ME), and Elphonzo Pinkham, a barber, aged forty-four years (b. ME).
Nicholas Mucci appeared in the Milton directory of 1902, as running a fruit and confectionary store at 44 Main street (corner of Church street) in Milton Mills, with his house at the same address. F.S. Weeks, M.D., a physician and surgeon, was at 42 Main street (corner of Church street), and W.S. Miller, a furniture dealer, was at 46 Main street.
MILTON MILLS, N.H. N. Mucci, who has been on the sick list, is so improved he is seen at the store again. … Mr. Lindsey, clerk in N. Mucci’s store, was a visitor in Sanford one day last week (Biddeford-Sanford Tribune (Biddeford, ME), March 20, 1903).
N. Mucci appeared in the Milton business directories of 1904, and 1905-06, as proprietor of a Milton Mills fruit, confectionary, and fancy grocery store at 44 Main street, with his house at the same address. Winfield S. Miller, a furniture dealer, was at 46 Main street.
MILTON MILLS, N.H. N. Mucci was severely bitten on the finger by a tarantula, while handling bananas in his store room on Sunday morning (Biddeford-Sanford Tribune (Biddeford, ME), August 3, 1906).
N. Mucci’s Central Square shop frontage was brightly lit (with carbide lamps) in 1907.
Acetylene Rays. At Milton Mills, N.H., several stores on Central square, including the new one of Winfield Miller and that of N. Mucci, are now lighted by acetylene. There are other installations in this town also (Acetylene Journal, 1907).
Acetylene lighting was a type of gas lighting. The storefronts of Winfield Miller and Eugene W. Emerson were also so lit.
N. Mucci appeared in the Milton business directory of 1909, as proprietor of a Milton Mills fruit, confectionary, and fancy grocery store at 46 Main street, with his house at the same address.
Nichla Muci, a general store proprietor, aged forty years (b. Italy), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills”) household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of eighteen years), Teresa Muci, aged thirty-eight years (b. Italy), and his children, Allice Muci, aged twelve years (b. NH), Susan Muci, aged nine years (b. NH), Charles Muci, aged five years, Elenah Muci, aged three years (b. NH), and Fred Muci, aged two months (b. NH). Nichla Mucci rented their house. Teresa Mucci was the mother of eight children, of whom six were still living. They had immigrated into the U.S. in 1898; Teresa Mucci spoke Italian, i.e., she spoke mostly Italian. Their household was enumerated between those of John Howland, Jr., a hotel clerk, aged fifty years (b. Canada), and William Pinfold, a woolen mills napper, aged forty-six years (b. England). (See Milton in the News – 1902 regarding Pinfold’s wife, Annie E. (Lewis) Pinfold, who was a writer of short stories and song lyrics).
N. Mucci appeared in the Milton business directories of 1912, and 1917, as proprietor of a Milton Mills fruit, confectionary, and fancy grocery store at 46 Main street (corner of Church street).
SOUTH ACTON. George Tappan bought a Reo automobile of N. Mucci recently (Biddeford-Sanford Tribune (Biddeford, ME), May 22, 1914).
Nicholas Mucci, a woolen mill washer, aged fifty years (b. Italy), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Th[e]resa Mucci, aged forty-eight years (b. Italy), and his children, Alicia M. Mucci, drawing warp in a plush mill, aged twenty years (b. NH), Susie S. Mucci, drawing warp in a plush mill, aged eighteen years (b. NH), Charles A. Mucci, aged fifteen years (b. NH), Eleanor Mucci, aged twelve years (b. NH), Orlando N. Mucci, aged nine years (b. NH), and Arline L. Mucci, aged six years (b. NH). Nicholas Mucci owned their farm on Church Street, with a mortgage. Nicholas and Theresa Mucci had immigrated into the U.S. in 1898, and had become naturalized citizens in 1908. Their household was enumerated between those of James C. Hawksworth, a woolen mill washer, aged sixty years (b. Nova Scotia), and Elisha S. Gerrish, a teamster laborer, aged sixty-eight years (b. ME).
Nickolas Mucci, a woolen mills finisher, aged sixty years (b. Italy), headed a Sanford, ME, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-seven years), Theresa Mucci, aged fifty-eight years (b. Italy), and his children, Alice Mucci, a variety store saleslady, aged thirty years (b. NH), Susie Mucci, a plush mill twister, aged twenty-nine years (b. NH), Charles Mucci, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), Eleanor Mucci, a plush mill twister, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), Orlando Mucci, aged nineteen years (b. NH), and Arline Mucci, aged seventeen years (b. NH). Nickolas Mucci owned their house at 17 Sherburne Street, which was valued at $2,600. They had a radio set. Nickolas and Theresa Mucci had immigrated into the U.S. in 1898, and were naturalized citizens.
Nicholas Mucci, a worsted mills dryer, aged seventy years (b. Italy), headed a Sanford, ME, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Theresa Mucci, aged sixty-eight years (b. Italy), his children, Alice Mucci, a retail furniture saleswoman, aged forty-one years (b. NH), Orlando Mucci, a mohair mills bookkeeper, aged thirty years (b. NH), Aileen Mucci, a retail furniture saleswoman, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), and Eleanor Downing, a mohair mills mender, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), and his grandson, Roger Downing, aged four years (b. ME). Nicholas Mucci owned their house at 17 Sherburne Street, which was valued at $1,200. They had all resided in the same place in 1935
Nicholas and Theresa (Lorenzi) Mucci celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in Sanford, ME, in October 1942.
Sanford Couple Celebrates Golden Wedding Anniversary. Mr. And Mrs. Nicholas Mucci, Wed In Italy, Have Resided Here 22 Years. 
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Mucci of 17 Sherbourne street, for 22 years residents of Sanford, observed their golden wedding anniversary Friday evening at their home where a buffet luncheon was served. A cake decorated with gold, made by Joseph Laflamme, formed the table center-piece and was cut by Mrs. Mucci. The couple received numerous gifts. Mr. and Mrs. Mucci were married Oct. 16, 1892, in Florence, Italy, and came to this country 44 years ago. They located In Milton Mills, N.H., where Mr. Mucci conducted a general store for 22 years. After coming to Sanford, Mr. Mucci was employed the Goodall Worsted Mill retiring about three years ago. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mucci are in excellent health and active. They have four daughters, Mrs. Albert Burke, Mrs. Ford Emery, Mrs. Eleanor Downing, Miss Alice Mucci, all of Sanford, and two sons, Orlando of this town and James of Scarboro. There are five grandchildren and one great grandson. Present at foe observance Friday were: Mr. and Mrs. Harry Soule, Miss Betty Kellett, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Broggi, Mrs. Elizabeth Broggi Miss Joyce Broggi, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sugden, Miss Barbara Ann Sugden, Mr. and Mrs. Pat Daley, Miss Patricia Daley, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Burke, Mr. and Mrs. Ford Emery, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Libby, Mr. and Mrs. John Burke, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Tordoff, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Letourneau, Leon Couturier, Mrs. Alice Stackpole, Mrs. Alice Gowen, Miss Ada Jellerson, Miss Lida Cloutier, Miss Jessie Hogg, Mrs. Eleanor Downing, Roger Downing, Miss Alice Mucci, James Mucci, Miss Gwendolyn Mucci, Thomas Mucci and Orlando Mucci (October 22, 1942).
Nicholas and Theresa (Lorenzi) Mucci celebrated their fifty-seventh wedding anniversary in Sanford, ME, in October 1949.
Sanford Couple Feted On 57th Anniversary. Sanford, Oct. 19 – Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Mucci, of 17 Sherburne Street, observed their 57th wedding anniversary with a family dinner party Sunday at their home. Mr. and Mrs. Mucci, who were married in Florence, Italy, came to this country 51 years ago. They resided for a short time in Sanford and then moved to New Hampshire, returning to Sanford 30 years ago. Mr. Mucci is a retired employee of Goodall-Sanford, Inc. Their entire family, with exception of one grandchild, who is a student at the University of New Hampshire, were with them on this occasion, together with their husbands and wives. The children are James Mucci, Scarborough, Orlando Mucci, Mrs. Susie Burke, Mrs. Arline Emery, Mrs. Eleanor Downing and Miss Alice Mucci. There are five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren (Portland Press Herald (Portland, ME), October 20, 1949).
Nicholas Mucci appeared in the Sanford, ME, directory of 1951, as being retired, with his house at 17 Sherburne street. (Angelo P. Mucci (1873-1962), and his wife, Julia, resided at 31 Sherburne street. He was born in Marliana, Tuscany, Italy, May 23, 1873, son of Iacopo Mucci, immigrated to the U.S. in 1891, and was perhaps the U.S.-resident brother mentioned by Nicholas Mucci at the time of his own 1898 arrival).
Teresa (Laurezi) Mucci died in Sanford, ME, December 2, 1955, aged eight-three years.
MRS. NICHOLAS MUCCI. SANFORD – Dec. 3. Mrs. Theresa Mucci, 84, of 17 Sherburne St., wife of Nicholas Mucci, died last evening at her home following a short illness. She was born at Florence, Italy, Aug 2, 1871, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lorenzo. She came to this country 57 years ago and resided here the last 35 years. Besides her husband she is survived by four daughters, Miss Alice Mucci, Mrs. Albert Burke, Mrs. Eleanor Downing, and Mrs. Ford Emery; a son, Orlando; five grandchildren and six great grandchildren, all of Sanford. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at her residence, followed by a solemn High Requiem Mass at Holy Family Church. Interment will be in St. Ignatius Cemetery (Portland Press Herald (Portland, ME), December 4, 1955).
Nicolas L. Mucci died in Sanford, ME, August 1, 1966, aged ninety-six years.
NICHOLAS MUCCI. SANFORD – Nicholas Mucci, 96, of 17 Sherburne St., died Monday morning at a Portland hospital. He was born in Florence, Italy, Aug. 22, 1869, son of Jiacopino and Asunta Lorenzi Mucci. Mr. Mucci came to this country as a young man and operated a grocery store at Milton Mills, N.H., before moving here 40 years ago. He was employed in the finishing department at the Goodall Worsted Co. until he retired several years ago. His wife Theresa died in 1955. He is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Albert Burke, Mrs. Eleanor Downing, Mrs. Ford Emery and Miss Alice Mucci, and a son, Orlando, all of Sanford; five grand-children and 10 great-grand-children. Funeral services will be at 7:45 a.m., Wednesday, at Winter St., with a Requiem Mass at Holy Family Church at 8:30 a.m. Interment will in St. Ignatius Cemetery (Portland Press Herald (Portland, ME), August 2, 1966).
References:
Find a Grave. (2014, October 4). Nicholas Mucci. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/136811275/nicholas-mucci
Metropolitan Museum. (2021). Goodall-Sanford Suit. Retrieved from www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/159532
Wikipedia. (2021, December 12). Carbide Lamp. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbide_lamp
Wikipedia. (2021, January 14). Italian Diaspora. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_diaspora
Milton Observer 