Phoebe Freeth was the ninth child of Samuel Freeth & Frances Grigg christened (Phebe) July 31st, 1814 at Smethwick, Staffs.
Phoebe married Joseph Fantom on December 15th, 1840 at St Peter’s, Harborne, Staffs. Witnesses at the wedding were Samuel Dugmore & Mary Stokes. Joseph was christened May 30th, 1819 at Smethwick, Staffs, the son of Sarah & Isaac Fantom, a sawyer.
In 1841 Phoebe & Joseph were living at New Village, Oldbury, Halesowen & Joseph was a sawyer.
They were still in Oldbury in 1851, but now living at Freeth St & Joseph had the same occupation. They had 2 sons – George (9) & Samuel (2). Near neighbours were Thomas Fantom, Joseph’s brother also a sawyer, with his wife, Maria, & their family.
Phoebe & Joseph were still at Freeth St in 1861 & Joseph was now described as a sawyer & grocer. Son George was at home, & was employed as a sawyer & there was now a 9 year old daughter, Mercy Ann.
By 1871 they had moved to St Paul’s Rd, Smethwick & daughter Mercy Ann was still at home. Later that year daughter Mercy married Tom Cooper, a clerk, who was to become a steel agent.
Phoebe & Joseph were still at St Paul’s Rd (number 180) in 1881 & Joseph was still a sawyer. Visiting them was grand daughter Mercy (11), the daughter of son George who had married Louisa Hipkiss in 1869.
Phoebe died in Jan-March 1887, aged 72, her death being registered at Kings Norton.
Joseph died in March 1890, aged 74, at Bearwood Rd, Smethwick. This was the address of daughter Mercy Ann & husband Tom Cooper in 1891 where they were found with 3 daughters & 3 sons.
In 1891 son George & wife Louisa were living at Slater St, West Bromwich with 4 daughters & 5 sons. George was a timber yard foreman.
The children of Phoebe Freeth & Joseph Fantom were:
fh.4.6.1.9.1 George Fantom born July-September 1841 at Oldbury, Worcs; died July 18th, 1893 at Slater St, Great Bridge, Tipton
fh.4.6.1.9.2 Mercy Fantom born April-June 1844 & christened August 4th, 1844 at North Harborne; died July-September 1847 at West Bromwich
fh.4.6.1.9.2 Samuel Fantom born 1848 at Oldbury & christened October 29th,
1848 at Smethwick, Staffs, died April-June 1858 at Oldbury, Worcs
fh.4.6.1.9.3 Mercy Ann Fantom born July-September 1851 at Oldbury, Worcs; died Jan-March 1902 at Smethwick & buried at Old Church, Smethwick