Genealogy Chat

Many thanks folks for all your efforts, My reference to my old family member, who told me of a Pub the Croft family once owned, and sold to the Brewer's. I can't remember the Name now, Despite searches online for 'Old and Forgotten Birmingham Pubs'' and the Birmingham Library searches, it could not be found. maybe his memory failed to get the Name right But, one thing came out of it, in general terms. Most people back then. could apply for a license to sell BEER only, by converting their house room, that leads out onto the Road. Not any other room, and not spirits or wines etc. Many had the front windows Enlarged , which opened outwards to passers-by..It was the license, that had the value, which was transferable. Now--I think I can safely say, 'WE' indeed, owned a Pub --or two? No wonder alcoholism was a big problem. Although, as a kid, all I remember was the raucous singing and larking about, then the falling down---Parents eh? Phil Arfermo

ArgyllGran---Excellent -you are right---the Death cert , dated 5/2/1881, is poorly photocopied, but I can, with a better light, now see leek in Staffs. Now, 'OUR' Jane, was born in Wolverhampton which is staffordshire, so I , probably with too much self satisfaction, have jumped the gun, and bought it, about 8 yrs ago. I've got a good collection of 'wrong 'uns'. There used to be a organisation , advertisng for mistaken BMD's, or, exchanges. Haven't seen their ads of late.
That business of age on document--and checking back to Birth , produced another hint that i had the right person. I see from info above, that Jane appears to be born in 1818 on one of them but virtually everything I obtained,( right or wrong) took me back to 1820, confirming what I thought. ?? Although, later on, she appeared to 'lose a year or two. I only have a standard membership, and buy credits now and then. So access to anything beyond the norm is out. Back to John again, I have got the 1891 Census, and ,as you say, he's on his own. As for 'beneficiary' ,I couldn't think of the word Executor. but they can of course, benefit too, from the same Will. Better be--I'm an executor , trouble is, my bruv has better health than me. As you probably know, my G-Grandad , the Violin maker etc etc , and name on the probate, died in 1909, and left his son , my grandad the equivalent today, of £102,000. He had 3 other siblings too. This is a typical Victorian --almost Dickensian story. Jane Watkins, made pregnant at .age 15, by 26 yr old William Croft, they marry on the last day of 1835, ( looks better when the baby arrives,) the 'following year'. they marry , she gives birth, he later dies. all in less than one year. At about 16, with new baby, all alone in Victorian Britain, Jane marries John Beasely, they are the same age, he dies, after a longer period, she marries John Lockett. I'd like to think she had a far better life with John, who looked after, and brought up, young William Henry Croft. But what a Girl young Jane was, a true Heroine. (although, as her story first unrolled, I thought we had a serial poisoner in the family ) only kidding. thanks again-- Phil.

Ooh, interesting, Kay.

The value of property would certainly help to account for some of John's assets at death.

Doc True

ACTION ABOUT A LEASE.
Justice Bonier delivered some strong remarks in the case of Croft v. Gibbs, which was an action <by the executor of the late John Lockett, of Birmingham, to set aside the lease of two houses in that city granted by Lockett to the defendant. The plaintiff’s
30 March 1898 - Globe - London, London, England.

Yes, I think it could be Tavern.


https://www.closedpubs.co.uk/warwickshire/birmingham_b9_minvervavaults.html


Mention of a Minerva Tavern here , but several streets away from Great Barr Street;

https://www.midlandspubs.co.uk/birmingham/bordesley-street/minerva-tavern.htm


Some record of Minerva Tavern, Great Barr Street, (1874) at the National Archives:

https://tinyurl.com/tvsmswk

Tthe address in 1871 is 'Minerva *******' The indistinct word MIGHT be Tavern

In case of interest -

in 1851, when he's listed as a retail brewer, John's address is in Manchester Street.

One block along from Manchester Street, there's Brewery Street.
Maybe that's where his brewery was ?? Or at least one where he worked.

Googling suggests the brewery which gave the street its name might have been the Brittannia Brewery, though I can't find much about it.


ADDED:

In 1861, his address is "Publick House", 115 Great Barr Street.

In 1871 he's in Minerva Street, which appears to be part of (or perhaps coming off) Montague Street, which joins Gret Barr Street at right angles.
The next two families are at Nos 1 and 2 Locketts Buildings.

Maybe these people could help? John's listed as a retail brewer in 1851 census.

The Brewery History Society: Enquiries and Information
Brewery enquiries: If you have a brewery related query you may well find the answer in A Century of British Brewers - Plus Plus: 1890-2012. Some further guidance can be found on our page Exploring brewery archives.
>>>>>Otherwise please email: [email protected]. <<<<<<<<
Queries are circulated to members via our Newsletter, and hopefully someone will be able to help.

http://www.breweryhistory.com/information.htm

Re who bought the Locketts' pub (or brewery) -

you mention Mitchells & Butlers.
They were only established in 1898 - after John's death:

https://www.mbplc.com/


Ansells Bewery was founded in 1858 , at Aston Cross - so a much likelier possibility.

Their history here:
https://www.midlandspubs.co.uk/breweries/birmingham/ansells-brewery.htm


List of old Birmingham breweries and pubs here, though no specific mention of Lockett:

https://www.midlandspubs.co.uk/birmingham/index.html#Holders

Ther is no record an ANY census of Jane (nee Watkins) having a daughter

I would venture to suggest that William Henry Croft was her only child

'Probate granted to' means that the person named is the Executor of the Will.

If you don't have the 1890 death cert for Jane Lockett, I fear you have the wrong one. Look carefully at the location details

Yes, I imagine that John was the pub or brewery owner.

1896, gentleman,
1891, living on own means.
1881, retired publican
1871 and 1861, licensed victualler
1851, retail brewer

So, is it the 1890 Aston death cert which you have for Jane?
It's not clear from your last post.

You say "Jane supposedly deceased". She definitely died between the 1881 and 1891 census dates, as John is listed as a widower in the 1891 census.



As William was granted probate, on John's death, he would indeed have been executor of the Will.
Where did you find the word "beneficiary"?

Whoooosh !! Many thanks ArglleGran/ ErikaH etc.etc I have most of what you have written; and not all is on my tree. The Ancestry Tree has been neglected, and will now be looked after by another member, so I'm not that involved but, accuracy is obviously necessary. As for Eliza, I only discovered her last night. I have owned the Death cert for 'John Lockett' for several years, and only recently have been given the Probate List. Which sparked the intrigue. I have Janes death cert ( yes I did goof with the date--I hope thats all it was) but all the BMD certs I have, pointed to, being on the right track. The noted person at the death of Jane, is ''Eliza Lockett, Daughter.'' Often the dates of birth and ages, are rarely consistant ,as you all know, especially with Census. Many people back then, didn't actually know their birth year--or parents names etc etc and guesswork was common. I always worked backwards to find their DOB. The 'New' John Lockett discovery, is the correct one, because my great great Grandfather is named as ''beneficiary' ?although as ArgylleGran has suggested, and I'm not savvy to this--might be acting like a Executive to the will? which is my next target. BUT--what this whole business with the money suggests, is that my Grand Parents, who came from modest backgrounds My grandfather being a Engineer /Tool maker. moved out of Grimy central Brum and spent their lives in North Wales, living in a nice house, nice cars, and always dressed stylishly.And bought my dad a Taxi, so he could start a busiess I have the photographs to prove it. over the decades and census, John Lockett was listed as a 'Brewer,/ Publican, which is why I drew the conclusion, that THAT, was his sourse of wealth, ( owning his PUB ) Many years ago, A senior member of my family , when asked where the Croft money came from, between the Wars, said that the family owned a pub, and either Mitchells & Butler --or--'Ansells Brewery, ' bought their Pub, and other's, so as to demolish them ,and extend their brewing capacity '. JOhn Lockett, having retired (Jane Supposedly decesed ) the huge sum of money came from ??
Well now, I've got a lot of rechecking and updating to do --obviously. I am far from being a regular researcher, but have a burst sometimes . to try and fill gaps. Looks like I'm about to get busy. Many thanks again to all---but keep 'em coming, if you have time, and a mind to.--Arfermo--Phil Croft.

Name: William H. Croft
Age: 43
Estimated birth year: abt 1838
Relationship to Head: Head
Spouse: Elizabeth Croft
Gender: Male
Where born: Birm, Warwickshire, England
Civil Parish: Birmingham
County/Island: Warwickshire
Country: England
Street address: 16 12 Summer Lane
Marital status: Married
Education:
Employment status:
View image
Occupation: Violin Maker &C
Registration district: Birmingham
Sub registration district: St George
ED, institution, or vessel: 16
Neighbors: View others on page
Piece: 2993
Folio: 68
Page Number: 9
Household Members:
Name Age
William H. Croft 43
Elizabeth Croft 34
Jane Croft 5
W.Henry Croft 4
John T. Croft 3


Name: William Henry Croft
Death Date: 19 May 1909
Death Place: Warwickshire, England
Probate Date: 2 Jul 1909
Probate Registry: Birmingham, England

Admin to William Henry Croft, toolmaker Effects £850



Name: William Henry Croft
Age: 0
Birth Date: 29 Mar 1836
Baptism Date: 8 Jun 1836
Baptism Place: Birmingham, St Philip, Warwickshire, England
Father: Henry Croft
Mother: Jane Croft

Name: Henry Croft
Age: 25
Birth Date: abt 1811
Burial Date: 13 Nov 1836
Burial Place: Aston, St James, Warwickshire, England
Parish as it Appears: Aston, St James

Thanks AG - I've deleted my superfluous info

Should have checked the image but was distracted by the postie!

Looking at the image of the 1891 census - it's been mistranscribed on Ancestry

John is living alone, at 269 Aston Lane.

Angelina Willoughby is in the next-door household (271 Aston Lane).

Jane was still alive at the time of the 1881 census:

John Lockett
in the 1881 England Census
Name: John Lockett
Age: 60
Estimated birth year: abt 1821
Relationship to Head: Head
Spouse: Jane Lockett
Gender: Male
Where born: Birmm, Warwickshire, England
Civil Parish: Handsworth
County/Island: Staffordshire
Country: England
Street address: 269 Aston Lane
Marital status: Married
Education:
Employment status:
View image
Occupation: Retired Publican
Registration district: West Bromwich
ED, institution, or vessel: 22
Neighbors:
Piece: 2836
Folio: 38
Page Number: 24
Household Members:
Name Age
John Lockett 60
Jane Lockett 60
Benjamin Thornton 14


I think this is her death:

Jane Lockett
in the England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1837-1915
Name: Jane Lockett
Estimated birth year: abt 1816
Registration Year: 1890
Registration Quarter: Apr-May-Jun
Age at Death: 74
Registration district: Aston
Inferred County: Warwickshire
Volume: 6d
Page: 236


Philip -
your opening post says Jane died 1891, and later you talk about her death cert 1881. Neither of those dates is correct.

Jane Beasley
in the 1841 England Census
Name: Jane Beasley
Age: 25
Estimated birth year: abt 1816
Gender: Female
Civil Parish: Aston
Hundred: Birmingham
County/Island: Warwickshire
Country: England
Street address:
Occupation:
View image
Registration district: Aston
Sub-registration district: Duddeston and Nechells
Neighbors:
Piece: 1149
Book: 10
Folio: 10
Page Number: 13
Household Members:
Name Age
John Beasley 25 - tailor
Jane Beasley 25
Selina Beasley 15
William Croft 5

1851

Name: Jane Lockett
Age: 33
Estimated birth year: abt 1818
Relation: Wife
Spouse's name: John Lockett
Gender: Female
Where born: Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England
Civil Parish: Birmingham St George
Ecclesiastical parish: St Stephen
County/Island: Warwickshire
Country: England
Registration district: Birmingham
Sub-registration district: St George
ED, institution, or vessel: 41
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 29
Piece: 2058
Folio: 1063
Page Number: 45
Household Members:
Name Age
John Lockett 30
Jane Lockett 33
Rebecca Phipps 19

1871

Name: Jane Lockett
Age: 50
Estimated birth year: 1821
Relation: Wife
Gender: Female
Where born: Birmingham Warwickshire England
Civil Parish: Aston
Town: Deritend
County/Island: Warwickshire
Country: England
Registration district: Aston
Sub-registration district: Deritend
ED, institution, or vessel: 1
Household schedule number: 247
Piece: 3134
Folio: 30
Page Number: 53
Household Members:
Name Age
John Lockett 50
Jane Lockett 50
William Henry Croff 31
Selina Danks 17
Joseph Larkin 29
Emma Crolet 21

1861

Name: Jane Lockett
Age: 40
Estimated birth year: 1821
Relation: Wife
Spouse's name: John Lockert
Gender: Female
Where born: Wolverhampton
Civil Parish: Aston
Town: Birmingham
County/Island: Warwickshire
Country: England
Street address:
Occupation:
Condition as to marriage:
View image
Registration district: Aston
Sub-registration district: Deritend
ED, institution, or vessel: 1
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 73
Piece: 2169
Folio: 11
Page Number: 17
Household Members:
Name Age
John Lockert 40
Jane Lockett 40
William Lockett 23
Betsey Pearce 22

Checking on Ancestry, I see your tree, Philip, and there's NO mention of ELIZA