Mary Freeth [fh.4.6.1.7.4]

Mary Freeth was the fourth child of James Freeth & Maria Vezey christened February 18th, 1838 at Smethwick, Staffs.

At the time of the 1851 census Mary was living at home with her parents, brothers & sisters at Moore St, West Bromwich.

Mary married Joseph Bird on March 26th, 1860 at St Martin (Pepper Box), Tipton, Staffs. Witnesses at the wedding were James Freeth & Elizabeth Lyman, both of whom made their mark. Elizabeth was Joseph’s older sister who had married James Lyman in 1849. Joseph was born c1835 at Netherton, Worcestershire, the son of Joseph Bird, a butty collier.

Marriage certificate of Mary & Joseph

In 1861 Mary & Joseph were living at Littleton St, West Bromwich & Joseph was a coal miner.

They were still at the same address in 1871 & now had 5 children – James (9), Margaret (6), Mary (4), Joseph (3) & Thomas (9 months). Joseph was still a miner. Living next door was Joseph’s sister Elizabeth & husband James Lyman & family.

By 1881 Mary & Joseph had moved to the Old Bell Inn, 108 Spon Lane, West Bromwich where Joseph was now a publican. At home were James, a time keeper at the iron works, Margaret, Mary Jane, a dressmaker, Joseph, Thomas, Esther (7) & John Thomas (5).

In 1891 the family were living at 2 Hall St, Spon Lane, West Bromwich & Joseph was still described as a publican. Still living at home were James, a time keeper, Margaret, Thomas, a spring maker, Esther & John T, a telegram messenger. Son Thomas was to become an engineer’s press worker & to marry Edith Badger in 1896.

Joseph died in July-September 1898 at the age of 63, his death being registered at West Bromwich.

In 1901 widowed Mary was living with her daughter Mary Jane who had married Joseph Samuel Bartram in 1889, an electro depositor. They were living at 21 Cambridge St, West Bromwich & also with them was Mary’s daughter Esther.

The children of Mary Freeth & Joseph Bird were:

fh.4.6.1.7.4.1 James Bird born July-September 1861 at West Bromwich, Staffs
fh.4.6.1.7.4.2 Margaret Bird born July-September 1864 at West Bromwich, Staffs
fh.4.6.1.7.4.3 Mary Jane Bird born c1866 at West Bromwich, Staffs
fh.4.6.1.7.4.4 Joseph Bird born c1867 at West Bromwich, Staffs
fh.4.6.1.7.4.5 Thomas Bird born July-September 1870 at West Bromwich, Staffs, died 1930 at West Bromwich
fh.4.6.1.7.4.6 Esther Bird born Jan-March 1874 at West Bromwich, Staffs
fh.4.6.1.7.4.7 John Thomas Bird born April-June 1875 at West Bromwich, Staffs