Fanny/Frances Freeth was born Oct-December 1845 in Smethwick the fifth child of Josiah Freeth & Mary Ann Yates.
In 1851 Fanny & her parents, 1 sisters & 3 brothers were living at Stoney Lane, Smethwick.
By 1861 Fanny was still living at home at St George St, Smethwick with her 2 sisters & 3 brothers.
Fanny married John Smith on July 16th, 1865 at St Thomas Church, Dudley. John was born in 1845 in Newton, Lancashire.
In 1871 Fanny (now known as Frances) & John were living at 6 Birchfield Terrace, Handsworth & John was a fitter. They had 2 sons – Josiah (5) & John (1).
By 1881 they were living at 26 Back Brearley St, Handsworth & John was described as an engine fitter. Son Josiah was working as an iron foundry moulder, & as well as son John they now had David (8), Elizabeth (6), Emily (3), George Frederick (2) & Anne (1 month).
On February 23rd, 1885 a number of the children of Frances & John were baptised into the Catholic Faith at St Philip Neri, Smethwick - namely, John (Joannis), David, Frederick (Fredericus), Elizabeth, Emily (Emelia) George & Anne.
Son Josiah Thomas, an iron worker, married Mary Ann Wills in 1888 at Kings Norton. Mary Ann & Josiah were cousins, Mary Ann being the daughter of Mary Ann Freeth, Josiah’s aunt & William Henry Wills. 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.
Frances & John were living at 195 Windmill Lane, Smethwick in 1891 & John was still an engine fitter. Children at home were David, Elizabeth, Emily, George F, Anne & newcomers Catherine (6), Mary A (3) & James (11 months).
Daughter Elizabeth married Thomas Bower on May 16th, 1896 at St Philip Neri, Smethwick, Witnesses at the wedding were Joannes & Emelia Smith.
The family had moved to 13 Upper Grove St, Smethwick by 1901 & John was now a foreman engine fitter. At home were Emily, George Frederick, an engine fitter, Anne, a pawnbroker’s assistant, Catherine, a draper’s assistant & Mary Ann.
The 1911 census shows John & Frances still at 13 Upper Grove St with only daughter Emily at home. John was described as a foreman steam engine fitter. It was noted on the census that Frances had had 13 children, only 8 of whom were still living.
There is a death for Frances Smith, aged 67, in Oct-December 1912 at Kings Norton.
The children of Fanny/Frances Freeth & John Smith were:
fh.4.6.1.6.5.1 Josiah Thomas Smith born December 15th, 1865 in Handsworth
fh.4.6.1.6.5.2 John Smith born May 13th, 1869 in Stoke-on-Trent & christened February 23rd, 1885 at St Philip Neri, Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.6.5.3 David Smith born January 3rd, 1873 in Handsworth & christened February 23rd, 1885 at St Philip Neri, Smethwick; died April 13th 1899 & buried April 17th at St Philip Neri, Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.6.5.4 Elizabeth Smith born April 25th, 1875 in Handsworth & christened February 23rd, 1885 at St Philip Neri, Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.6.5.5 Emily Smith born September 6th, 1877 in Handsworth & christened February 23rd, 1885 at St Philip Neri, Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.6.5.6 George Frederick Smith born May 8th, 1879 in Handsworth & christened February 23rd, 1885 at St Philip Neri, Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.6.5.7 Anne Smith born February 26th, 1881 in Handsworth & christened February 23rd, 1885 at St Philip Neri, Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.6.5.8 Rosa Smith christened October 31st, 1883 at Holy Trinity, Hartsthill
fh.4.6.1.6.5.9 Alice Smith christened April 10th, 1884 in Handsworth
fh.4.6.1.6.5.10 Catherine Smith born January 11th, 1885 in Handsworth & christened February 1st, 1885 at St Philip Neri, Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.6.5.11 Mary Ann Smith born July 5th, 1887 & christened July 31st, 1887 at St Philip Neri, Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.6.5.12 James Smith born April 18th, 1890 in Smethwick & christened May 4th, 1890 at St Philip Neri, Smethwick; died May 17th, 1897 & buried May 22nd at Uplands Cemetery, St Philip Neri