Mary Ann Freeth was the third child of Josiah Freeth and Mary Yates christened December 26th, 1841 at Smethwick, Staffs
In 1851 Mary & her parents, sister & 3 brothers were living at Stoney Lane, Smethwick.
By 1861 Mary was still living at home at St George St, Smethwick with her 2 sisters & 3 brothers.
Mary married William Henry Wills on March 2nd, 1863 at Tipton, St Martin (Pepper Box). Witnesses at the wedding were Mary’s brother & sister, Samuel & Fanny Freeth. William was born November 11th, 1838 & christened December 9th 1838 at St Thomas, Dudley, Worcs, the son of Mary & George Wills, a cordwainer.
In 1871 William & Mary Ann were living at 16 Cumberland St, Darlington, Co Durham, where William was a labourer at the iron works. They had 4 children by this time – James (8), Josiah (4), Mary Ann (3) & Ellen (1).
At the time of the 1881 census Mary Ann (listed as married) was visiting her sister Ann Maria, now married to Isaac Turton, & their family. They were at Lewisham Rd, Smethwick, Staffs. Mary Ann’s widowed father & her brother John were also there. William & the children were not found at this time.
In 1883 son John of Baldwin St. was admitted to Corbett Street School, Smethwick by Mary, his mother, & her occupation was given as laundress. His religion was given as catholic. In 1885 John transferred to Smethwick Central Board School.
In 1884 son Josiah enlisted with the Gloucester Regiment & served in India. He left in 1888 due to ill health.
Daughter Ellen married William Henry Smith in 1887 at Kings Norton. By 1901 Ellen was widowed & living with 2 sons & 2 daughters at 22 Back House St, Smethwick.
Daughter Mary Ann married Josiah Thomas Smith, an iron worker, in 1888 at Kings Norton. Mary Ann & Josiah were cousins, Josiah being the son of Frances Freeth, Mary Ann’s aunt & John Smith. In 1901 they & their son & daughter were living in Smethwick. At the time of the 1939 register Mary & Josiah were living at 7 Cheshire Rd, Smethwick & Josiah was still a coremaker at the iron foundry.
William died sometime before 1891 when widowed Mary Ann was living at 39 Back Baldwin St, Smethwick & was working as a charwoman. She had sons Josiah, an iron worker, & John (17), a tube polisher, living with her.
In 1891 son Josiah married Martha Nash in Kings Norton. Sadly Martha died in 1895 & Josiah married again in 1899 at Kings Norton, his second wife being Emma Sheldon. By 1911 he was again widowed, Emma having died in 1907, & living with his in-laws, Ann & David Nash in Smethwick & working at a puddling furnace as an ironworker. He had 3 sons & a daughter with him.
In 1901 Mary Ann was boarding with Bertha Gray, a 54 year old widow, & her 2 daughters at 17 Rupers Ave, Victoria Park Rd, Smethwick. Mary Ann was now described as a laundress.
The children of Mary Ann Freeth & William Henry Wills were:
fh.4.6.1.6.3.1 James William Wills born April-June 1862 at Merrington, Co
Durham
fh.4.6.1.6.3.2 Josiah Wills born July-September 1866 at West Bromwich, Staffs
fh.4.6.1.6.3.3 Mary Ann Wills born February 19th, 1868 at Darlington, Co Durham
fh.4.6.1.6.3.4 Ellen Wills born Jan-March 1870 at Darlington, Co Durham
fh.4.6.1.6.3.5 John Wills born February 7th, 1874 at Wrexham, Wales