Elizabeth Freeth [fh.4.6.1.7.1.2]

We are most grateful for the help of Robert Tonks in the construction of this page. Robert is the great grandson of Elizabeth Freeth & Reuben Tonks.

Elizabeth Freeth was the second child of Samuel Freeth & Jane Rebecca Lambert born January 24th, 1859 at Galton St, Smethwick, Staffs.

Elizabeth's birth certificate

In 1861 Elizabeth was living at Feeder St, Smethwick with her parents & 2 sisters.

In 1871 the family were still at Smethwick but now living at Causer St. Elizabeth now had 5 sisters.

The family had moved to Birmingham St, Oldbury by the time of Elizabeth’s marriage in 1877.

Elizabeth married Reuben Tonks on May 13th, 1877 at the parish church of Rowley Regis, Staffs. Reuben was a machine minder living at George St at the time of the wedding. Witnesses at the wedding were William Smith & Sarah Smith. Sarah was Elizabeth’s sister who had married William earlier that year. Reuben was born 1852 at Brierley Hill, Staffs, the son of Emma Beddall & John Tonks, a boatman. Interestingly both Elizabeth’s & Reuben’s ages were incorrect on the certificate.

Elizabeth & Reuben's marriage certificate

In 1881 Elizabeth & Reuben were living at 74 Pleasant St, West Bromwich where Reuben was a nail cutter. They had 2 children – Reuben (2) & Mary Jane (1).

By 1891 the family were at 6 Chapel St, Oldbury, Worcs & Reuben was now a stationary enginedriver. At home were Reuben, Mary Jane, Edwin (9), William Henry (6), Margaret (4), Samuel (3) & John (7 months).

Son Reuben enlisted with the Shropshire Light Infantry in February 1897 giving his occupation as a stoker. He gave his next of kin as father Reuben Tonks of 135 Whitehall Rd, Smallheath, Birmingham. He named his younger brothers as Edwin, Samuel, William, John & Percy. He was discharged from the service in February 1898 upon payment of £18.

In 1901 Reuben & son Reuben were both boarding at 58 Emlyn St, Barrow-in-Furness, Lancs. They were both working as mechanical engineers. Elizabeth was looking after the rest of the family at 138 Palace Rd, Aston, Birmingham. Children at home were Mary J, William, a stationary engine stoker, Sarah M(argaret), a trouser machinist, Samuel, a tailor’s errand boy, John, Percy (7) & Lily (4).

Son Edwin, a police constable, married Harriet Allan in 1909 at Coleshill, Warks. A witness at the wedding was Reuben Tonks. By 1911 they were living at the Police Station, Water Orton, Warks with their 1 year old daughter, Gladys Elizabeth. By 1939 they had moved to Sutton Coldfield & Edwin was now a works policeman, private.

In 1911 Reuben was boarding with the Hotchkiss family at 1134 Hadley Lodge, Wellington, Shropshire where he was an engineer at the brickworks. His wife Elizabeth & 6 of their children were living at 163 Herbert Rd, Small Heath, Birmingham. With her were sons William Henry, a toolmaker at a brassfounders, Samuel, a warehouseman at a clothing manufacturers, John, a pressworker at a cycle manufacturers, Percy, a clerk at a bedstead manufacturers, & daughters Margaret & Lilly. Elizabeth & Reuben had had 11 children, only 9 of whom were still living.

In 1915 daughter Margaret married James McIver Anderson in Birmingham. By 1939 they were living in Brampton Ave, Birmingham & James was a canal transport manager.
Son Samuel also married in 1915 in Birmingham. His wife was Olive Maud Staniland & by 1939 they were living in Ralph Rd, Solihull where Samuel was a wholesale tailoring manager.

Elizabeth died in Oct-December 1918 at Aston, Warks.

Son Percy married Nellie (Ellen) Richards in 1919 in Aston. Percy became a successful business man & inventor, becoming a managing director of REVO electric company. During WW1 Percy served in the Royal Army Medical Corps. In 1939 they were living at Fitz Roy Avenue, Birmingham with their daughter Betty. Percy was described as department manger on manufacturing electrical products. It was noted on the register that he was discharged on medical grounds.

We are grateful to Percy's grandson, Richard Tonks for information on Percy's life

Son John married Florence May Harper in 1921 in Birmingham. By 1939 they were living in Birmingham with their family & John was a printers paper warehouse manager.

Reuben died March 2nd, 1924, aged 71, in Wellington, nr Wolverhampton.

In 1928 son William married Gladys Beatrice Corbett at Birmingham. By 1939 they were living in Oldbury & William was an engineer, works manager, non-ferrous metals. He was also in the auxiliary fire service (works).

At the time of the 1939 register son Reuben (listed as Reuben G Tonks) was living in Solihull, Warks, where he was a director, hydraulic & mechanical engineer. With him was Evelyn Mary Tonks born March 14th, 1903.

The children of Elizabeth Freeth & Reuben Tonks were:

fh.4.6.1.7.1.2.1 Reuben (George) Tonks born January 4th, 1879 at 86 Spon Lane & christened June 4th, 1880 at St John’s, West Bromwich, Staffs; died September 19th, 1954 at 29 Streetsbrook Rd, Shirley, Warks
fh.4.6.1.7.1.2.2 Mary Jane Tonks born April 14th, 1880 at 86 Spon Lane & christened June 4th, 1880 at St John’s, West Bromwich, Staffs
fh.4.6.1.7.1.2.3 Edwin Tonks born October 29th, 1881 at Pleasant St, West Bromwich, & christened November 18th, 1881 at St John’s, West Bromwich, Staffs; died December 3rd, 1960 at 45 Melrose Ave, Sutton Coldfield
fh.4.6.1.7.1.2.4 Florence Louisa Tonks born April-June 1883 at West Bromwich; died July-September 1884 at Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.7.1.2.5 William Henry Tonks born September 6th, 1884 at Smethwick, Staffs; died March 2nd, 1955 at Barnwood House Hospital, Gloucester
fh.4.6.1.7.1.2.6 Margaret Tonks born January 14th, 1887 at Cardiff, Wales; died April-June 1956 in Birmingham
fh.4.6.1.7.1.2.7 Samuel Tonks born February 9th, 1888 at Cardiff, Wales; died January 20th, 1961 at 34 Ralph Rd, Solihull
fh.4.6.1.7.1.2.8 John Tonks born July 10th, 1890 at West Bromwich; died Jan-March 1951 in Birmingham
fh.4.6.1.7.1.2.9 Ernest Tonks christened October 5th, 1892 at Oldbury; died Oct-December 1893 at Oldbury
fh.4.6.1.7.1.2.10 Percy Tonks born March 19th, 1894 at Halesowen, Worcs; died March 25th, 1954 at 9 Church Rd, Edgbaston, Birmingham & buried March 30th at St Peter’s, Harborne
fh.4.6.1.7.1.2.11 Lily Tonks born Jan-March 1897 at Aston, Birmingham