William Freeth was the eighth child of James Freeth & Maria Vezey born July-September 1848 at West Bromwich, Staffs.
At the time of the 1851 census William 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.
In Oct-December 1870 William married Jane Stodden at Dudley. Jane was the daughter of Richard & Charlotte Stodden born c1847 at Tipton.
In the 1871 census William was recorded at home at Albert St, West Bromwich & he was a bundler at the iron works. He was listed as unmarried. However his wife Jane Freeth was recorded at Claypit Lane, West Bromwich with her father Richard Stodden, a 64 year old widower & her brother John, 37, who was registered as having been blind for 2 years. Both her father & brother were engine fitters at the iron works. Also living with Jane was her 4 year old niece Ada C Stodden.
By 1881 William & Jane had a 4 year old son, Richard S & they had adopted Jane’s niece Ada C Stodden (14) as their daughter. They were living at 22 Victoria St, West Bromwich & William was still a bundler at the iron works.
In 1891 William & Jane were still living at Victoria St with their son Richard who was an accountant’s clerk. William was still working at the iron works.
They were still living at Victoria St in 1901. William’s occupation was now described as ‘club secretary’. Sadly son Richard was a patient at the Burntwood County Asylum, Staffs at this time & was described as a lunatic & his profession given was commercial clerk.
The children of William Freeth & Jane Stodden were:
fh.4.6.1.7.8.1 Richard Stodden Freeth born Oct-December 1874 at West Bromwich