This is a Grant of Letters of Administration (specifically, de bonis non cum testamento annexo, meaning “of goods not administered with the will annexed”). It was issued on 8 December 1894 by the Principal Registry of the Probate Division. It reveals that John Locke died in 1880 and left a will naming his wife, Mary Ann, as executrix. She began administering the estate but died intestate in 1891 before finishing. Because the original executor died, the court had to appoint a new administrator to handle the remaining estate. The court appointed Frederick Earnshaw, acting as the attorney for John’s son, Charles James Locke, who was living in Western Australia.
AD WILL
BE IT KNOWN, that John Locke of No 1 Murrow Cottages Avondale Road Choumert Road Peckham in the County of Surrey Manager at a Wine Merchants formerly of No 3 Leslie Place Maple Road Penge in the said County deceased, who died on the 25th day of December 1880 at No 1 Murrow Cottages aforesaid, made and duly executed his last Will and Testament and did therein name his Wife Mary Ann Locke sole Executrix and residuary Legatee for life who duly proved the said Will and for some time intermeddled in the personal Estate of the said Deceased and died on the 25th day of May 1891 intestate leaving part thereof unadministered.
AND BE FURTHER KNOWN, that at the date hereunder written, Letters of Administration with the Will of the personal estate of the said John Locke deceased left unadministered as aforesaid were granted by Her Majesty’s High Court of Justice at the Principal Registry of the Probate Division thereof to Frederick Earnshaw of Brockley State School Brockley in the County of Kent School Teacher the lawful Attorney of Charles James Locke (who now resides in Western Australia) one of the surviving natural and lawful Children of the said Deceased (issue of his marriage with the said Mary Ann Locke) [crossed out: and as such one of the residuary legatees substituted in the said Will] for his use and benefit and until he shall apply for and obtain Letters of Administration (with the Will) of the said unadministered Estate, he the said Frederick Earnshaw having been first sworn well and faithfully to administer the same
Dated the 8th day of December 1894
Gross value of personal estate, £ 134 – 19 – 0.
Former Grant Principal Registry January 1881.
II. W B & L (x) – 43501 – 2000 3-94
Principal Individuals:
- John Locke: Deceased. Died 25 December 1880 at No 1 Murrow Cottages, Avondale Road, Choumert Road, Peckham, Surrey. Formerly lived at No 3 Leslie Place, Maple Road, Penge, Surrey. Occupation: Manager at a Wine Merchants.
- Mary Ann Locke: Wife of John Locke. Sole Executrix and residuary legatee for life. Died 25 May 1891, intestate.
- Charles James Locke: Son of John and Mary Ann Locke. Residing in Western Australia as of 1894.
Associated Individuals:
- Frederick Earnshaw: Lawful Attorney of Charles James Locke. Occupation: School Teacher at Brockley State School, Brockley, Kent. Granted Letters of Administration to administer the remainder of the estate on behalf of Charles.
Wayne and Sandra's Family History 