Thomas William Jones Freeth was the third child of George Freeth & Ann Jones born April-June 1859 at Tipton, Staffs.
In 1861 Thomas was living with his parents & 2 sisters at King St, Wednesbury, Staffs.
By 1871 the family were living at 2 Glad. Terr, Wednesbury where father George was a foreman at the railway. Thomas now had 3 brothers & 3 sisters.
In 1881 Thomas was helping his father in his trade as a fruiterer. They were living at 45 High St, Smethwick, Staffs.
Thomas married Rosanna Archer in Jan-March, 1887 at West Bromwich Register Office. Rosanna (Rose Hannah) was born at Smethwick & christened April 2nd, 1865 at Oldbury, Worcs, the daughter of Elizabeth & Abraham Archer, a glass worker.
Thomas & Rosanna had a daughter, Rosa, born in July-September 1887. It appears that sadly Rosanna died at the age of 24 in Oct-December 1889, her death being registered at Kings Norton.
In 1891 widowed Thomas & daughter Rosa were living with his parents-in-law & sister-in-law Elizabeth Sarah & brother-in-law Abraham Alexander Archer at 318 Oldbury Rd, Smethwick. At this time Thomas was described as a cutter down at the iron works.
The children of Thomas William Jones Freeth & Rosanna Archer were:
fh.4.6.1.4.2.3.1 Rosa Freeth born July-September 1887 at Smethwick, Staffs, died 1988.
Thomas remarried in Oct-December 1892, his new wife being Clara Smith. Clara
was born Oct-December 1869 at Smethwick.
Thomas & Clara were living at 31 Corser St, Smethwick in 1901 with their son Ernest (8 months) & Thomas’ daughter Rosa*. Thomas was still working at the iron works as a cutter down.
Thomas died in Jan-March 1914, aged 54 years, the death being registered at Kings Norton.
The children of Thomas William Jones Freeth & Clara Smith were:
fh.4.6.1.4.2.3.2 Ernest Thomas Freeth born July-September 1900 at Smethwick, Staffs
*According to Helen Stearn (granddaughter of Abraham Alexander Archer,
Rosa’s uncle) Rosa Freeth ran a high class wet fish shop (supplying
Birmingham hotels) in High Street, Smethwick, along with her friend Trixie
French. The two spinsters ran a successful business and Rosa remained in close
contact with the Archer family. In order to help out the Archer family who
had fallen on hard times, Rosa and Trixie decide to offer a home to one of
their six children. Their favourite was Rosa’s cousin Dorothy Archer
(born 1910) who lived very happily with them for some years. In her early
forties Rosa married Philip Harris, a carpenter, and emigrated to Chicago
U.S.A. Rosa was an astute business woman and made money during the Wall Street
Crash. She and Philip returned home to England in the 1960's, living in Hagley
Worcestershire. Some time after Philip died Rosa had a first visit from her
step-brother Ernest. Apparently they had a cordial visit but did not see each
other again. He too lived in Worcestershire. Rosa lived to be 100 years old
& died in 1988.