It is though that John FIRTH was the father of John FIRTH and Thomas FIRTH born about 1777 who was living near Hannah FIRTH in Ovenden in 1841 and who was a plasterer, the same profession as John's grandsons Stephen and Samuel, and possibly John.
A compelling christening record for a Thomas FIRTH is found at Congregational or Independent, Northowram which is just 3 miles walk from Ovenden. This John FIRTH christened Thomas on 10 Dec 1777 (b. 6/8/1777), John on 3 Mar 1782 (b.4/2/1782), Molly on 26 Dec 1784 (b.16/11/1784), Nathan on 13 May 1787 (b.1/1/1787) and then Rebekah 1790 at Zion Methodist New Conexion, Ovenden (with Betty recorded as the mother).
Zion Methodist New Conexion, Ovenden is where John and Hannah FIRTH's children were christened which strengthens the case for John FIRTH being John FIRTH's father.
Zion Methodist gained popularity after the new minister arrived in 1774/5 so it's possible that earlier baptisms were conducted elsewhere explaining the gap between John's marriage to Betty HOLDSWORTH in February 1771 and Thomas' birth in 1777, although it's possible that they were married off young and had to wait for children.
There was a Betty baptised on 19 May 1772 by John Firth in Halifax, but there were several other children baptized between 1772 and 1776 by a John FIRTH who could be earlier children.
John FIRTH was a common name so it's difficult to be certain about the genealogy. There were multiple John FIRTHs baptizing children in the area at that time, for example:
- Thomas baptized by John FIRTH of Northrowram on 21 Jan 1774 at St Mary, Illingworth
- Thomas baptized by John FIRTH on 25 Dec 1775 somewhere in Halifax Parish
- Hannah baptized by John FIRTH of Northrowram on 20 Jun 1776 at St Mary, Illingworth
Possible baptisms for John:
- 28/29 Dec 1744 - William FIRTH of Southrowram, weaver at St John the Baptist, Halifax
- 27 Nov 1748 - Joseph FIRTH of Southrowram, clothier at St John the Baptist, Halifax
- 14 Oct 1750 - James FIRTH of Halifax, comber at St John the Baptist, Halifax