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status and wealth he had eamed as a resident of Australia. In the form of a Celtic
cross, the polished granite headstone revealed, however, the dominant influence of the
Irish in tombstone design. At 45 years of age, Margherita was left a widow with nine
chUdren in her care, sk of whom were under fourteen. By the time of his father's
death the eldest son Alfredo was 22, married and living away from home. His brother
Anchigi remained under the care of his mother and sister, having developed epilepsy
for which he was possibly being treated with opium.^' Margherita, who could often be
seen by her neighbours ploughing the fields, ran the hotel and farm with the assistance
of her daughters. She was known for her good business sense, buying a new block of
land, such as that of Catherine Tomasetti in 1916, whenever she had saved sufficient
money. Margherita was recognised for her courage, once attacking a snake which had
crossed her path with the only 'weapon' in her possession ~ a hat pin; its pinioned
body was quickly beaten to death with a stick. Margherita had high aspirations for her
children regarding their financial security and was once heard to comment that the
landless sons of Irishmen were not nearly good enough for her daughters.^* This may
be interpreted more, however, as an understandable fear of poverty than an ethnic
prejudice.
While Margherita possibly received support from the Filippini family at
Blampied, the death of Andrea's brother Celestino in 1899 was cause for sadness.
Seventy-two years of age and unmarried, the memory of his death was recorded on
Andrea's monument at Eganstown Cemetery.^' The death of Margherita's father in
Cevio in 1902 resulted in further sadness for the Morgantis, as well as dismption to
their family life. It was decided that Olimpia, then 26 years of age, would go to Ticino
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