Last Will and Testament of John Locke – 1880

This document is a probate record and the Last Will and Testament of John Locke. The will was originally drafted on April 2, 1879, and the probate was granted on January 15, 1881, by the Principal Registry of the Probate Division of the High Court of Justice in London. It legally transfers his estate, valued at under £500, to his widow, Mary Ann Locke, while establishing a £5 annual annuity for his mother, Sarah Locke. The document provides excellent insight into the family’s residence, John’s occupation as a wine merchant’s foreman, and his familial relationships. A marginal note indicates that an administration of unadministered property was issued later in December 1894, suggesting further legal actions were required after the initial probate.

ON the 15th day of January 1881 the Will with Codicil thereto of John Locke formerly of No. 3 Leslie Place Maple Road Penge in the County of Surrey but late of No. 1 Merrow Cottages Avondale Road Choumert Road Peckham in the said County Foreman to a Wine Merchant deceased, who died on the 25th day of December 1880 at No. 1 Merrow Cottages aforesaid was proved in the Principal Registry of the Probate Division of the High Court of Justice, by the Oath of Mary Ann Locke of No. 1 Merrow Cottages aforesaid Widow the Relict the sole Executrix named in the said Will she having been first sworn duly to administer, power being reserved of granting Probate of the said Will and Codicil to the other Executor named in the other Executor having renounced the Probate and Execution of the said Will

Ad (with Will) of Unadmd Property issued Dec. 1894

Personal Estate under £ 500 Leaseholds

This is the last Will and Testament of me John Locke of number 3 Leslie Place Maple Road Penge in the County of Surrey In the first place I direct my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses to be paid by my Executrix hereinafter named as soon as conveniently may be after my decease

I give and bequeath to my dear mother Sarah Locke of Ryhall near Stamford Lincolnshire during her lifetime the sum of £5-0-0 say five pounds sterling annually out of my estate the first instalment to be paid on or about the first day of April ensuing

I give devise and bequeath all the residue of my monies securities for money property estate and effects of whatever nature or kind I may happen to die possessed of whether in possession or reversion remainder or expectancy unto my dear wife Mary Ann Locke to and for her own use and benefit during her lifetime and at her death I will that whatever of the said estate and effects she may die possessed of shall become the property of the surviving children the issue of our marriage for their sole use and benefit share and share alike

And I constitute and appoint my wife the said Mary Ann Locke sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament

And I revoke all former and other Wills and Codicils made by me and do declare this to be my last Will and Testament

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this second day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine

John Locke –

Signed by the said Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other hath hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses –

Edw’d N. Hobbs 2 Popes Head Alley Cornhill London E.C.

 Edward Johnson 38 Probert Road Brixton S.W.

PROVED at London 15th January 1881 by the Oath of Mary Ann Locke Widow the Relict the sole Executrix to whom Admon was granted

Principal Individuals:

  • John Locke
    • Role: Deceased / Testator
    • Occupation: Foreman to a Wine Merchant
    • Death: 25 December 1880 at No. 1 Merrow Cottages, Avondale Road, Choumert Road, Peckham, Surrey
    • Residence: Formerly of No. 3 Leslie Place, Maple Road, Penge, Surrey; late of No. 1 Merrow Cottages.
    • Relationships: Husband of Mary Ann Locke; son of Sarah Locke; father to surviving children (unnamed).
  • Mary Ann Locke
    • Role: Executrix / Widow (Relict) / Primary Beneficiary
    • Residence: No. 1 Merrow Cottages, Avondale Road, Choumert Road, Peckham, Surrey
    • Relationships: Widow of John Locke.
  • Sarah Locke
    • Role: Beneficiary
    • Residence: Ryhall near Stamford, Lincolnshire
    • Relationships: Mother of John Locke.

Associated Individuals:

  • Edw’d N. Hobbs
    • Role: Witness
    • Residence: 2 Popes Head Alley, Cornhill, London E.C.
  • Edward Johnson
    • Role: Witness
    • Residence: 38 Probert Road, Brixton S.W.