John Leonard Freeth was the fifth child of William Freeth & Emma Standley born April-June 1866 at Smethwick, Staffs.
In 1871 the family lived at Oldbury Rd, Smethwick & John Leonard (known as Leonard) now had 3 sisters & 2 brothers.
By 1881 Leonard, his 3 brothers & 3 sisters & parents had moved to Cemetery Rd, Oldbury & Leonard was now a glass maker.
Leonard enlisted with the Royal Highlanders in 1884 & served with them until 1889 when he was transferred to the Army Reserves.
In 1891 the family were living at 36 Trinity Rd, West Bromwich where Leonard was now a brick layer’s labourer.
Leonard married Mary Ann Morgan in 1900 at St Andrew’s, West Bromwich. Mary Ann was born c1873 at Pleck, Walsall, Staffs, the daughter of Mary Ann & Moses Morgan.
In 1901 Leonard & Mary Ann were living with Mary Ann’s widowed mother, Mary Ann Matthews, at 65 Sheepwash Lane, West Bromwich. Mary Ann’s father had died in 1881 & her mother remarried in 1886 to Edward Matthews, who died in 1890. Leonard had returned to being a sheet glass maker. Living with the family were Mary Ann’s brothers, Moses & Thomas.
Leonard & Mary Ann were still at the same address in 1911 with Mary Ann’s mother. Leonard was now described as a labourer & he & Mary Ann had 2 children – Winnie (8) & Annie (4). It was noted on the census that they had had 3 children but one had died. Also with them was Mary Ann’s brother Moses who it was noted had been blind for 12 years.
There is a death for Mary A Freeth age 36 in July-September 1912 at West Bromwich.
John married again in Jan-March 1923 at West Bromwich. His second wife was widow Martha Davies (nee Broadbent).
At the time of the 1939 register Leonard was living at 14 Great Bridge St, West Bromwich & described as a glass maker. With him was Martha Freeth, a shop keeper, noted as married & born Oct. 16th, 1878. Also with them was Thomas Davies, a 34 year old storekeeper, probably Martha’s son.
There is a death for John L Freeth aged 85 in Jan-March 1952 at West Bromwich.
The children of John Leonard Freeth & Mary Ann Morgan were:
fh.4.6.1.4.4.5.1 Winifred May Freeth born December 23rd, 1902 at West Bomwich; died July-September 1976 in West Midlands
fh.4.6.1.4.4.5.2 Thomas Freeth born Oct-December 1904 at West Bromwich; died Oct-December 1904 at West Bromwich
fh.4.6.1.4.4.5.3 Annie Freeth born April-June 1906 at West Bromwich