James Freeth was the seventh child of Samuel Freeth & Frances Grigg christened March 13th, 1808 at Smethwick, Staffs.
James married Maria Vezey on July 4th, 1831 at St Peter Paul, Aston Juxta, Birmingham. Witnesses at the wedding were Maria’s father William Vezey & Mary Bibb. Maria was the daughter of Elizabeth & William Vezey (Veysey) born March 9th, 1810 & christened May 26th, 1810 at Mares Green Independent, West Bromwich.
At the time of the birth of their first son, Samuel, James’ occupation was given as ‘caster’
By 1841 James & Maria were living at Ling Road, Lingfield, West Bromwich with their 5 children – Samuel (9), Elizabeth (7), Fanny (5), Maria (3) & James (1). The family were listed as Freesh in the Ancestry.co.uk index! James was described as a labourer at this time, but he was also noted as an iron caster on the baptism records of some of his children. Living next door in Ling Road were Maria’s parents, William (60) & Elizabeth (50) Veasey. William was a boiler maker.
James & Maria raised their family in West Bromwich where they were living at the time of the 1851 census at More St. James was now a shop keeper & they had 9 children – Samuel (19), a glass maker, Fanny (15), Mary (13), James (11), Maria (6), Jane (4), William (2), David (1). Sadly David died later that year. Daughter Elizabeth (16) had left home & was living at Wood Lane, West Bromwich where she was an apprentice straw bonnet maker with the Skidmore family.
By 1861 James & Maria were living at the Pheasant Inn & grocers shop, Albert St, West Bromwich & James’ occupation was a publican. Children at home were James, Maria, Jane, William & Louisa (7). Living with them was their son-in-law Joseph Poulton who had married daughter Elizabeth in 1854 & their son James Poulton (6). It is presumed that Elizabeth had died as no further record of her was found.
In 1871 James & Maria were still living at Albert St where James was still a publican. Only 2 children were still at home – William (22) a bundler at the iron works & Louisa (17).
Maria died aged 64 in Oct-December 1874 at West Bromwich.
James died in Jan-March 1875 at West Bromwich, aged 65.
The children of James Freeth & Maria Vezey were:
fh.4.6.1.7.1 Samuel Freeth
christened April 29th, 1832 at Old Church, Smethwick
fh. 4.6.1.7.2 Elizabeth Freeth
christened August 10th, 1834 at Old Church, Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.7.3 Fanny Freeth christened March 6th, 1836 at Old Church, Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.7.4 Mary Freeth christened
February 18th, 1838 at Old Church, Smethwick
fh.4.6.1.7.5 James Freeth born West Bromwich & christened
March 8th, 1840 at Old Church, Smethwick; died Jan-March 1922 at West Bromwich
fh.4.6.1.7.6 Maria Freeth born West Bromwich & christened
February 6th, 1844 at Christ Church, West Bromwich
fh.4.6.1.7.7 Jane Freeth born
c1847 at West Bromwich
fh.4.6.1.7.8 William Freeth
born July-September 1848 at West Bromwich
fh.4.6.1.7.9 David Freeth born April-June 1850 at West Bromwich, died Oct-December
1851 at West Bromwich
fh.4.6.1.7.10 Louisa Freeth
born September 6th, 1853, christened October 16th, 1853 at Christ Church,
West Bromwich, died 1944 at Arthog, Wales