Charles Joshua Ronchetti (1790-1857)
Charles Joshua Ronchetti (1790-1850) of Manchester
1825 Listed as a maker of mathematical and philosophical instruments, 29 Balloon Street, Manchester.[1].
1790 Born the son of Giovanni Battista Ronchetti who emigrated to Manchester in 1790.
Charles Joshua Ronchetti was highly skilled in glass-blowing for scientific instruments.
1812 Birth of son John Baptist Ronchetti
1817 Birth of son Joshua Ronchetti Jr.
Joshua Sr. worked briefly with Vittore Zanetti and then on his own from 1816. Later, he sold optical and mathematical instruments.
Located at 29 Balloon Street, Manchester (1817); St. Anns Passage, Manchester (1829); Cateaton Street, Manchester. (1830); 43 Market Street, Manchester (1832-1841).
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 mattercontained the wort, to the greatest practical accuracy. N. B. Hydrometers, Thermometers, Chemical Apparatus, and Test Tubes of every description, for the use of printing, bleachin;g, dyeing, &c. &c, continually hand for sale. Barometers, Electric and Philosophical Instruments, Telesc opes, Spectacle, &c, &c, made and repaired on the shortest notice.'[2]
c.1842, he opened a chemical works in Clayton, Manchester, leaving his sons to continue the scientific instrument business.
1851 Scientific instrument business sold to Joseph Casartelli following Casartelli's marriage to their sister Jane Henrietta Ronchetti.
See also Science Museum website.