J.P. Macheca was born in New Orleans about 1843 to Sicilian immigrant parents. His father, an outlaw known only by the alias of Peter Carvanna, was sentenced to life in prison when J.P. was a young boy.
His mother Marietta married Joseph Macheca, a prospering fruit merchant who came to Louisiana from the Islands of Malta. J.P. was raised in the Macheca fruit business and helped develop it into a successful shipping and wholesaling empire.
According to legend, Peter Carvanna managed to return home from prison two decades later and appeared to Marietta, who had presumed him dead. Marietta suffered an emotional breakdown as a result of the encounter and never recovered. Carvanna was subsequently found murdered.
Macheca family crest
Schooner used in fruit trade
J.P. Macheca
French Market where produce was sold
The Macheca fruit business grew into a strong shipping empire.
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