BRENTANI Charles (Carlo)

Lawrence Cetta, from Lake Como, was also convicted of this crime. He was sentenced to seven years transportation and sent to New South Wales.

Ferdinand Riva, also from Lake Como, received a 14-year transportation sentence on the same day for receiving stolen goods. He was sent to Van Diemen’s Land on the same ship as Charles.

Charles’s older brother Joseph (Giovanni) Brentani was found not guilty and acquitted of stealing a watch on the same day, but in June 1835, was transported to Van Diemen’s Land for seven years for the theft of silver plate. His convict record notes in his own words,
“…brother Charles transported to Van Diemen’s Land for the same offence as me …”.
Joseph arrived in Van Diemen’s Land on 21 February 1836 on the convict ship Asia (4) but died on 4 April 1836 at the Jerusalem Road Party (Colebrook) from ‘apoplexy occasioned by drinking a quantity of raw spirits.’

Other skills: Labourer, Hawker, General Dealer/Retailer, employer of Clockmakers, Watchmakers, Silversmiths, and Jewellers.

Charles and watchmaker Ferdinand Riva were from Lake Como in Italy, worked together in Sheffield, England, were sentenced on the same day, and arrived in Van Diemen’s Land in 1835 on the convict ship, Aurora (1).

Approx. 1841-1845: Partnership with Ferdinand Riva (Brentani and Riva), Charles Street, Launceston, followed by a few months as a sole trader in Charles Street, Launceston, just a few doors along from Riva. Charles advertised as ‘C Brentani, Watch and Clock Maker’ and offered silvering of looking glasses, barometer, and thermometer manufacture.

1845: Charles settled in Victoria and established his business in Collins Street, Melbourne.

November 1847: A silver watch stolen from Charles Brentani was found in the possession of watchmaker and former employee, Jules Charet. Charet stated he had purchased it from another party and charges against him were dismissed. Another employee of Brentani’s was found guilty and sentenced to 18 months hard labour in prison.

1849: Employee, watchmaker, George Garrow, Collins Street, Melbourne.

April 1849: Exhibited a gold nugget, an early discovery from Victoria, in Hobart and Launceston.

The Examiner (Launceston) 18 April 1849:
‘GOLD ORE. – A piece of gold ore weighing about twenty four ounces, from the Pyrenees, Port Phillip, will be exhibited by Mr Brentani at the shop of Mr Riva, Charles Street, from Friday next until the following Monday, from ten till four o’clock. Charge, one shilling each.’

March 1852: Retired from the clock and watchmaking business.