Brigida and Nicola Betti

Brigida was the third child and first of five daughters of Marino and Marianna (Pazzini) Grilli.  She was born on Nov. 11, 1892 in Verucchio, Forlì.

Brigida was 16 years old when her family moved to Montefiore to live with her uncle, Don Secondo Grilli, a priest, at his parish rectory of San Gaudenzo.

She was the first family member to leave Italy.  Her future husband, Nicola Betti, a native of Montefiore, had emigrated to America in 1907 and was back visiting in Italy in 1911.    After a short courtship they married  on May 15, 1911.  Her Uncle Priest, Don Secondo officiated at the wedding held at San Gaudenzo, Montefiore.

Nicola had to return to the U.S., but would send for Brigida very shortly.  Her parents, grandparents and uncle priest agreed she should be accompanied on her trip to an unknown place because she was only 18 years old.  Her oldest brother, Pino, who was home on a summer break from his studies at a seminary, was asked to escort his sister to her new home in America.  He agreed and they left in late August on the SS Cretic, arriving in Sept. of 1911.

Pino safely delivered his sister to Nicola in Worcester.  Upon arrival, a letter awaited Pino, stating he was being drafted to serve in the Italian army for the War of Tripoli (1911-1912).  He was urged by his family to remain in America to avoid serving.  This is how Pino came to remain in America.

He visited his sister often, even though he worked in Boston.  Then, happily, on Saturday, Sept. 17, 1913, our first American-born Grilli descendant arrived, Anna Betti (Giarusso). Anna lives with her husband, Jim, nearby in Worcester, not far from the 14 Pinedale Rd. home in Shrewsbury where she was born.

Nicola and Brigida had six more children:  Serafino, Attilio, Alfred, Catherine, Frances and Teresa. 

Frances still lives at 14 Pinedale Rd. with her husband, Anthony Olivieri.

Nicola died at 73,on Aug. 4, 1956 and Brigida died at 68 on Oct. 10, 1960.