John Freeth was the seventh child of John Freeth & Sarah Ann Felton born April 21st, 1874 at West Bromwich, Staffs.
In 1881 John & his 5 sisters & 4 brothers & parents were living at 15 Watton St, West Bromwich.
By 1891 the family had moved to 26 Watton St & John was now a green grocer.
John married Mary Ellen Pinches on May 1st, 1900 at Coventry, Warks. Mary Ellen was born October 14th, 1878 at Coventry, Warks, the daughter of Emma Maria Brown & James Joseph Pinches, a watch engraver.
In 1901 John & Mary Ellen were living at 12 King William St, Coventry & John was described as a ‘coachman not domestic’. John was summoned for being drunk in charge of a horse & car & driving recklessly from side to side of the road in 1901. He admitted he had too much wine when he met some Vounteers. He was fined 5 shillings & costs. (Coventry Evening Telegraph, May 2nd, 1901)
John was in trouble with the law again in 1905. He was charged with being drunk in charge of a horse in Kenilworth & further charged with driving without a light. This time he was fined 15 shillings in each case. (Leamington Spa Courier, August 11th, 1905)
John & Mary Ellen were living at 9 Stephen St, Coventry in 1911 & John was described as a cab driver. They had 2 daughters – (Eleanor) Winifred (9) & Barbara (1), both of whom were at home.
Daughter Eleanor was to marry Henry James Elphick in 1927 & daughter Barbara was to marry John Keenan in 1935.
The 1939 register shows John & Mary living at 162 Widdrington Rd, Coventry. John was described as an engine tester labourer.
John of 162 Widdrington Rd, died March 17th, 1942, aged 67, at Warwick Hospital & was buried March 21st at London Civic Road Cemetery, Coventry.
Mary Ellen died December 20th, 1948, aged 70, at 60 Durham Rd, Luton, Bedfordshire. Administration of her estate was granted on March 31st, 1949 to daughter Eleanor Winifred Elphick. Mary Ellen’s effects were £1,445.7s.9d.
The children of John Freeth & Mary Ellen Pinches were:
fh.4.6.1.2.10.7.1 Eleanor Winifred Freeth born April 13th, 1901 at Coventry,
died December 29th, 1977 at Coventry
fh.4.6.1.2.10.7.2 Barbara Ellen Freeth born July 21st, 1909 at Coventry, died
January 2nd, 1978 at Coventry