William Herbert Freeth was the second child of James Freeth & Mary Eliza Owen born February 6th, 1870 at West Bromwich.
In 1871 William, his parents & older brother were living in the High St, West Bromwich, where his father was a grocer.
William was still at home at 289 High St, West Bromwich in 1881 with his parents, 3 brothers & 2 sisters.
William was assisting his father in his grocery business at 289 High St in 1891. There were 4 brothers & 1 sister at home.
William married Anne Eliza Hughes in July-September 1898 at West Bromwich Register Office. Anne was born April 30th 1876 at Smallthorne, Norton-in-the-Moors, Staffs, the daughter of Amelia & James H Hughes, an iron worker.
In 1901 William & Anne were living at 238 High St, Spon Lane, West Bromwich where William was a grocery shopkeeper. They had a son James H, aged 1, & and a servant Alice Goodwin. Sadly James died later that year, aged 2.
William & Anne were living at 38 Herbert St, West Bromwich in 1911 where William was a grocery shopkeeper. They had 2 children – Hilda Marion (9) & Kenneth Herbert (4). Anne's widowed mother, Amelia Hughes, aged 65 was living with them.
An article in the Birmingham Gazette of December 19th, 1918 reported that a horse bolted from a wagon delivering goods in the High Street, West Bromwich. The runaway horse collided with a pony & cart belonging to William which was standing outside his grocer’s shop. The pony was knocked over & dragged along the ground & the cart was severely damaged. The boy in charge of the pony had a fortunate escape!
In 1929 son Kenneth married Ida Hadderton in West Bromwich.
The 1939 register shows William & Anne living at 51 West Park Rd, Smethwick & William was now a retired master grocer. Daughter Hilda was still living at home & was a trained certificated elementary school teacher. Son Kenneth & his wife Ida were living at Goldthorne Cottage, Goldthorne Rd, Wolverhampton in 1939 & Kenneth was an ‘account clerk electric supply’.
In 1941 his brothers Thomas Lewellyn Owen & Harold Leopold Marsh both died & William was a co-executor in both their wills.
William died, aged 93, on December 2nd,1963 at 23 Warley Croft, Quinton, Birmingham. Probate was granted on April 22nd, 1964 to Hedley John Adcock & John James Williams, solicitors. His effects were £2,747.
Anne of 23 Warley Croft, Quinton, Birmingham died, aged 90, on August 5th, 1966 at Dudley Road Hospital, Birmingham. Probate was granted on November 15th, 1966 to Hedley John Adcock & John James Williams, solicitors. Her effects were £11,312.
The children of William Herbert Freeth & Anne Eliza Hughes were:
fh.4.6.1.7.5.2.1 James Herbert Freeth born April-June 1899 at West Bromwich; died Oct-December 1901 at West Bromwich
fh.4.6.1.7.5.2.2 Hilda Marion Freeth born February 9th,1902 at West Bromwich; died July-September 1982 at Sandwell, West Midlands
fh.4.6.1.7.5.2.3 Kenneth Herbert Freeth born December 5th, 1906 at West Bromwich; died February 6th,1994 at Wrexham Maelor, Wales