Charles Joshua Ronchetti (1790-1857) of Manchester
1790 Born in Italy, the son of Giovanni Battista Ronchetti of Tavernerio.
1790 The Ronchettis emigrated to Manchester
Charles Joshua Ronchetti's grandfather had worked with the Casartelli family in both Manchester and Liverpool.
Charles Joshua Ronchetti was highly skilled in glass-blowing for scientific instruments.
1811 Married Frances Whitworth in Liverpool
1811 Birth of son John Baptist Ronchetti
Joshua Sr. worked briefly with Vittore Zanetti and then on his own from 1816. Later, he sold optical and mathematical instruments.
1817 Birth of son Joshua Ronchetti Jr.
1817 The business was at 29 Balloon Street, Manchester
1825 Listed as a maker of mathematical and philosophical instruments, 29 Balloon Street, Manchester.[1].
1829 The business was at St. Anns Passage, Manchester
1830 The business was at Cateaton Street, Manchester.
1830 Advert. 'NEW SIKE'S HYDROMETER. JOSHUA RONCHETTI, Hydrometer and Thermometer maker to His Majesty's Honourable Board of Customs No. 4, Cateaton-street, near the Old Church Gates, Manchester, beg, to announce that he has made an improvement to his new-invented SELF-ADJUSTING SIKE'S HYDROMETER by which the strength of any spirits, from water up to 70 per centum over proof, and any temperature from 32 deg. to 80 deg. of Fahrenheit's Thermometer, may be accurately ascertained at one view, without the assistance of additional weights, or a separate thermometer. This instrument is so simple in its construction that it may be used in the plainest capacity, without the slightest chance of error. To BREWERS, J. R. recommends his new Saccharometer, on the same principle as the new Sike's Hydrometer, which is determined the increase of weight, laid down by Richardson's Treatise on Brewing; also the specific gravity compared to water, and the quantity of saccharine or fermentable matter contained the wort, to the greatest practical accuracy. N. B. Hydrometers, Thermometers, Chemical Apparatus, and Test Tubes of every description, for the use of printing, bleaching, dyeing, &c. &c, continually on hand for sale. Barometers, Electric and Philosophical Instruments, Telescopes, Spectacle, &c, &c, made and repaired on the shortest notice.'[2]
1832 Business was at 43 Market Street, Manchester.
1841 Joshua Ronchetti opened a naptha works in Clayton, Manchester (see Clayton Chemical Works), leaving his sons to continue the scientific instrument business.
1841 Joshua Ronchetti 55, manufacturing chemist, lived in Salford with Frances Ronchetti 50, John Ronchetti 28, mathematical instrument maker, Joshua Ronchetti 20, mathematical instrument maker, Elizabeth Ronchetti 25, Henrietta Ronchetti 15, Joseph Ronchetti 15 Cecelia Ronchetti 12, Henry Ronchetti 9[3]
1850 Charles Joshua Ronchetti lived in Ardwick, a manufacturing chemist of Clayton[4]
1851 The scientific instrument business was sold to Joseph Casartelli following Casartelli's marriage to his daughter Jane Henrietta Ronchetti.
1851 Joshua Ronchetti 61, manufacturing chemist, lived in Ardwick, Chorlton, with Elizabeth Ronchetti 37
1855 Joshua Ronchetti, manufacturing chemist of Clayton, lived in Ardwick[5].
1857 Charles Joshua Ronchetti died in Chorlton[6]
- See also Science Museum website.