William Freeth was the fourth child of Samuel Freeth & Frances Grigg born December 31st, 1802 & christened January 30th, 1803 at the Presbyterian Church, Oldbury by Halesowen, Shrops.
William married Sarah Guttridge on February 4th, 1828 at St Phillips, Birmingham. Both William & Sarah made their mark & witnesses at the wedding were Mary Sutton & Samuel Neale. Sarah was the daughter of Amos & Hannah Gutteridge christened January 11th, 1807 at All Saints, West Bromwich.
In 1841 William & Sarah were living at Roebuck Lane, Smethwick, Harborne. William was a boiler maker & they had 5 children at home at this time – George (10), Samuel (7), William (5), Thomas (3) & Edwin (5 months).
In 1851 William & Sarah were still living at Robuck Lane, & William was still a boilermaker. They had 10 children at home – Hannah (22), George (20) a caster at the iron works, Samuel (17) a glass maker, William (14) & Thomas (12) both labourers at the glass works, Edwin (10), John (8), Emma (6), Sarah (3) & Jane (3 months). Also listed on the census was a grandson Leonard Freeth (2), the illegitimate child of Hannah.
In 1861 the family were still living at Roe Buck Lane (#6), Smethwick & William was still a boilermaker. At home were Samuel, Edwin & John, all working as glass flatteners, & daughters Emma & Jane. Grandson Leonard was still living with them & was employed as a carter boy.
Sarah died on June 29th, 1868, aged 60, at Roebuck Lane. Administration of her estate was granted to widower William, boilermaker, & her effects were under £100.
William died 2 years later in July-September 1870, aged 66, his death also being registered at Kings Norton.
The children of William Freeth & Sarah Guttridge were:
fh.4.6.1.4.1 Hannah Freeth
christened November 9th, 1828 at Smethwick; died Jan-March 1900 at West Bromwich
fh.4.6.1.4.2 George Freeth
christened November 28th, 1830 at Smethwick; died Oct-December 1903 at Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.4.3 Samuel Freeth
christened November 24th, 1833 at Smethwick; died January 31st, 1897 at Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.4.4 William Freeth
christened June 5th, 1836 at Smethwick; died Jan-March 1917 at West Bromwich
fh.4.6.1.4.5 Thomas Freeth born April 18th, & christened May 20th, 1838
at Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.4.6 Edwin Freeth born
September 4th & christened October 18th, 1840 at Smethwick; died Oct-December 1897 at Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.4.7 John Freeth born
July 25th, & christened November 27th, 1842 at Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.4.8 Emma Freeth born
October 10th, 1844 at Smethwick; died Oct-December 1885 at Kings Norton
fh.4.6.1.4.9 Sarah Freeth born February 2nd & christened March 5th, 1848
at Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.4.10 Jane Freeth born
January 8th, 1851 & christened February 9th 1851 at Smethwick; died November 24th, 1918 in Battersea, London