FREETH, Thomas (Grimwade p.515 and 401)

[buckler]

2th July 1789 - Patent No 1690 for "chape & fastening for buckles " granted to a Thomas Freeth.
This almost certainly relates to the man who entered marks as a bucklemaker in 1787 and 1797.

I've only ever seen two pairs of shoebuckles with Freeths Patent stamped on them. Both pairs made by Charles Hougham ! Never seen one on a Freeth buckle !
As would be expected the patent is a modified version of Eley's Patent.

[buckler]

Mike has advised us that there is a burial record of a Thomas Freeth at St Mary, Islington 1826. Aged 67 years; last address Queen Street.
This tallies nicely with his last known address

[silverly]

10 May 1806 Thomas Freeth Islington silversmith paid apprentice indenture duty for Cornelius Sullivan.