James Freeth was the fifth child of James Freeth & Maria Vezey born in West Bromwich & christened March 8th, 1840 at Smethwick, Staffs.
At the time of the 1851 census James was living at home with his parents, brothers & sisters at Moore St, West Bromwich.
In 1861 he was still at home at the Pheasant Inn, Albert St, West Bromwich.
James married Mary Eliza Owen in Jan-March 1866 at All Saints, West Bromwich. Mary was born July-September 1842 at Aston, Warwickshire, the daughter of Sarah & Thomas Owen, a brush maker.
In 1871 James & Mary (Freett in Ancestry.co.uk index) were living in the High St, West Bromwich where James was a grocer. They had 2 children – Thomas L G (4) & William H (1). They had a domestic servant, Fanny Harris.
James & Mary (listed as Sarah Eliz in census) were at 289 High St, West Bromwich in 1881 where James continued to be a grocer. They now had 6 children – Thomas, William, James Wilfred (9), Albert Ernest (8), Florie Maria (6) & Edith Sarah (3). They had 1 general & 2 domestic servants. Sadly Edith Sarah died, aged 4, the following year.
In 1891 the family were still at 289/287 High St & James' sons Thomas, William & Albert were now assisting their father in the grocer's shop. Also at home were James, an art student, Florence, Harold (7). They had 2 domestic servants.
In Kelly's directory of Staffordshire, 1896, James was listed as owning a coffee house at 287 High St & his grocer's shop was number 289 High St.
Mary Eliza died in Jan-March 1900, aged 57, the death being registered at West Bromwich.
Widowed James continued to live at 289/287 High St & in 1901 he was being assisted in the grocer's shop by son Thomas. Also at home were Florence & Harold who was a carpenter's apprentice. The family had a cook, a housemaid & a general servant.
James was still running his family grocery business on the High St at the time of the 1911 census at the age of 71. Thomas continued to assist him & their housekeeper was daughter Florence. Harold, now a carpenter, was still at home. They had 2 domestic servants.
James died in Jan-March 1922, aged 81, his death being registered at West Bromwich.
The children of James Freeth & Mary Eliza Owen were:
fh.4.6.1.7.5.1 Thomas Lewellyn O Freeth born Jan-March 1867 at Aston, Warwickshire
fh.4.6.1.7.5.2 William Herbert Freeth born 1870 at West Bromwich, Staffs
fh.4.6.1.7.5.3 James Wilfred Freeth born Jan-March 1872 at West Bromwich, Staffs
fh.4.6.1.7.5.4 Albert Ernest Freeth born Jan-March 1873 at West Bromwich, Staffs
fh.4.6.1.7.5.5 Florence Mary Freeth born Oct-December 1874 at West Bromwich, Staffs
fh.4.6.1.7.5.6 Edith Sarah Freeth born Oct-December 1877 at West Bromwich, Staffs; died Jan-March 1882 at West Bromwich
fh.4.6.1.7.5.7 Harold Leopold M Freeth born July-September 1883 at West Bromwich, Staffs