Elizabeth Freeth was the second child of James Freeth & Maria Vezey christened August 10th, 1834 at Old Church, Smethwick, Staffs.
In 1851 Elizabeth was living at Wood Lane, West Bromwich where she was an apprentice straw bonnet maker in the household of John & Eliza Skidmore.
Elizabeth married Joseph Poulton in July-September 1854 at West Bromwich. Joseph was born c1831 at All Saints, West Bromwich, the son of William Poulton, a bricklayer.
Elizabeth gave birth to a daughter, Hannah in March 1858 who sadly only lived for 9 days. Elizabeth died at Lyttleton St, West Bromwich soon after giving birth to Hannah & was buried on March 8th, 1858 at Christ Church, West Bromwich. Elizabeth’s little brother, John Freeth [fh.4.6.1.7.13] who also died at Lyttleton St was buried the same day as Elizabeth.
The children of Elizabeth Freeth & Joseph Poulton were:
fh.4.6.1.7.2.1. James Poulton born at Albion St, West Bromwich & christened July 29th, 1855 at Christ Church,1855 at West Bromwich; died September 19th, 1939 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
fh.4.6.1.7.2.2 Hannah Poulton born March 1858 at West Bromwich; died at Lyttleton St & buried March 14th, 1858 at Christ Church, West Bromwich
Joseph married again on November 14th, 1858 at St Philip’s, Birmingham. He married Rachel Holyoake, a spinster aged 28. Rachel was christened November 18th, 1827 at West Bromwich, the daughter of Martha & Joseph Holyoake, a moulder.
At the time of the 1861 census Joseph, a turner at the iron foundry, was lodging with Elizabeth’s parents, James & Maria Freeth at the Pheasant Inn, West Bromwich with his 6 year old son James. His wife Rachel was found at this time with her brother Humphrey Holyoake, a hollow ware turner, at 13 Bratt St, West Bromwich. Rachel was a dressmaker.
Joseph & wife Rachel & children Alicia (6) & Louisa (2) were living at Bratt St, West Bromwich in 1871. At this time Joseph was a hollowware turner. Elizabeth & Joseph’s son James was working as a servant for a butcher in West Bromwich at this time & he went on to become a butcher by the next census.
Joseph’s son James married Jane Elizabeth Bunn on November 19th 1877 at West Bromwich. In the 1881 census James & his wife Jane were living at Spon Lane, West Bromwich with their son Harry (2) & daughter Frances (1). James was working as a butcher. James & family emigrated to Australia some time before 1884 when their next daughter Edith was born. The couple raised their 8 children in Queensland.
In 1881 & 1891 Joseph & Rachel were still living at Bratt St with their 2 daughters & Joseph continued to be a hollowware turner.
Daughter Alice married John Howard Stocker, a compositor, in 1892 at Christ Church, West Bromwich.
Bratt St was still Joseph & Rachel’s address in 1901 & living with them at this time was daughter Louisa, now married to Albert Harris, a brewer’s chemist, & their son Arthur (6).
Rachel, aged 73, died on November 13th, 1903 at West Bromwich & was buried at All Saints, W. Bromwich. She was buried alongside a brother, James Barton who died in 1886 aged 70 years as stated on the headstone. James' wife Hannah was also commemorated on the headstone. (Rachel’s younger sister Hannah Hollyoak married James Barton in 1839 so this could be her sister & brother-in-law.)
In 1911 widowed Joseph was living with his daughter Louisa & her husband Albert Harris, a brewer’s chemist traveller, at 23 Victoria St, West Bromwich. Joseph, aged 79, had no occupation. Louisa & Albert had 3 children at home – Arthur, a house painter & decorator, Wilfred (8) & Dorothy (2).
Joseph died on April 12th, 1916 at 11 Pitt St, West Bromwich. Administration of his will was granted to daughter Louisa Harris & his effects were £10. He was buried alongside his wife Rachel at All Saints, W. Bromwich.