Genealogy Chat

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

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

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.
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Queries are circulated to members via our Newsletter, and hopefully someone will be able to help.

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

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.

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

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

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.

Ooh, interesting, Kay.

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

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.

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