Samuel Freeth was the first child of Josiah Freeth and Mary Yates christened August 19th, 1838 at Smethwick, Staffs
In 1841 Samuel was living at Rolfe St, Smethwick with his parents.
By 1851 the family were living at Stoney Lane, Smethwick. Samuel, just 13
years old, was described as a boilermaker like his father. By now he had two
brothers and two sisters.
Samuel married Catherine Wilton on August 2nd, 1857 at St. Edmund’s, Dudley, Worcestershire. Catherine was the daughter of Ann and Joseph Wilton, a glue maker. Catherine was born Jan-March 1838 at Ashby de la Zouche, Leics. [The marriage details shown on IGI records and also on the West Midlands BMD refer to Samuel’s bride as Caroline Wilton. However, both in the 1851 census, when she was living at home with her parents in Ashby, and in all later censuses, her name was given as Catherine!]
In 1861 Samuel and Catherine were living at Brass House Lane, Smethwick, where Samuel was a labourer at the glass works. They had two sons, William (3) and Samuel (11 months). Living next door were Catherine’s parents and her brothers and sisters.
Samuel and Catherine were again found at Brass House Lane in 1871, Samuel now being described as a stoker. In addition to William and Samuel, they now had 3 more children - John (7), Joseph (5) and Mary A (2). (There is a christening record for Josiah Freeth on October 16th, 1866 at Smethwick to Samuel & Catherine Freeth but no record has been found for Joseph.)
They continued to live at Brass House Lane (number 90) and by 1881 Samuel had become a labourer in the glue works. At home were children Samuel (now 20 years old), Joseph (15), and new additions Leonard (9), Elizabeth (7) and Ann M (3).
Samuel (53) and Catherine (54) were still at the same house in 1891, when Samuel had become a foreman in the glue works. Daughter Elizabeth (17), a bronzer (?) in the chandelier works, and Maria (13) were still at home.
Catherine died in April –June 1898, aged 61, her death being registered in Mansfield, Notts.
In 1901 widower Samuel, described as a glue boiler, and daughter Maria were living at Hamilton Road, Sutton in Ashfield, Mansfield, Notts.
Samuel was boarding with the Kelly family in 1911 at Skegby Rd, Sutton in Ashfield. He was a labourer at the glue works at the age of 73.
Samuel died in January-March 1913, aged 74, his death being registered at Mansfield.
The children of Samuel Freeth and Catherine Wilton were:
fh.4.6.1.6.1.1 William Freeth born 1858 at Smethwick & christened May 16th, 1858 at North Harborne, Staffs; died July-September 1936 in Wigan, Lancs.
fh.4.6.1.6.1.2 Samuel
Henry Freeth born 1860 at Smethwick,& christened June 17th, 1860 at North Harborne, Staffs; died July-September 1917 in Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.6.1.3 John Freeth
christened June 21st, 1863 at Smethwick, Staffs; died July-September 1933 at Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.6.1.4 Joseph Freeth
born January 16th, 1866 at Smethwick, Staffs; died Jan-March 1946 at Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.6.1.5 Mary Ann Freeth born April-June 1868 at Smethwick, Staffs,
died April-June 1872 at Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.6.1.6 Leonard Freeth born January-March 1872 at Smethwick, Staffs,
died Jan-March 1887 at Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.6..1.7 Elizabeth Ann Freeth born April-June 1874 at Smethwick, Staffs; died August 13th, 1949 in Los Angeles, California, USA
fh.4.6.1.6.1.8 Ann Freeth born Oct-December 1876 at Smethwick; died Oct-December 1876 at Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.6.1.9 Ann Maria Freeth born December 8th, 1877 at Smethwick, Staffs; died Oct-December 1948 at Basford, Notts.