James Lock (bef. 1850 - 1908)

Born before 17 Feb 1850 in Colebrooke, Devon, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Charity Ann (Cockram) Lock — married about Jul 1873 in Crediton, Devon, England, United Kingdom

Died 20 Dec 1908 after age 58 in Ilfracombe, Devon, England, United Kingdom

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Oscar Evans [send private message]

Biography

James Lock was born in Devon, England.

James Lock was baptised on the 17th of February 1850 in Colebrooke, Devon, England^[1]. He was the first child born to John Lock, a labourer, and Jane Lock (nee Olding).

On the 30th of March 1851, James and his parents lived at Lower Town in Colebrooke^[2]. His father was an agricultural labourer.

In 1863, James began work with the London and South Western Railway at the Town Office in Exeter^[3]. He was later removed to the superintendency of the Exeter goods department, and then to Crediton^[3].

On the 2nd of April 1871, James was a lodger in the household of one Thomas Labdon at 'Back of Taw Vale' in Crediton^[4], only a short distance from Crediton railway station. He was working as a railway clerk.

James married Charity Ann Cockram, of Stockleigh Pomeroy, some time in 1873. Their banns of marriage were read on the 29th of June, 6th of July, and 13th of July 1873 in Crediton^[5], and so they were probably married in mid-to-late July in that parish. Their marriage was registered in the 3rd quarter of 1873 in the registration district of Crediton^[6].

The birth of James and Charity's first child, Alfred Edwin Lock, was registered in the 2nd quarter of 1874 in the registration district of Crediton^[7].

James was removed to Devonport, though still working in the goods department, upon the official opening of the Devonport line in May 1876^[3]. James' father, John, passed away later that year^[8].

The birth of James and Charity's second child, Sydney Lock, was registered in the 1st quarter of 1878 in the registration district of Plymouth^[9].

James was removed back to Exeter shortly after, where he was promoted to the position of railway goods agent^[3][10].

James' mother, Jane, remarried to William Rudge Cockram, the father of James' wife, Charity^[11]. Both James and Charity were witnesses at the wedding. The marriage only lasted a few months as William died on the 28th of March 1879, with James being named the sole executor of his will^[10].

On the 3rd of April 1881, James lived with his wife, their two sons, and his mother on 48 Northenhay Street in Exeter^[12]. Northernhay Street intersects Queen Street, the location of the Exeter Queen Street Station, where James worked as a railway goods agent. His wife's occupation was 'formerly a school mistress'. Their sons were attending school.

In September 1882, James left Exeter after being promoted to the positon of station master at Seaton Junction^[13][14]. His friends and fellow station staff at Exeter put together a presentation of farewell gifts for him, including a 'Tantalus spirit-flask, mounted in silver, a plated biscuit-casket, and a plated breakfast cruet.'^[13] James was evidently held in high regard by the community, and was described as 'one who, while looking after the interests of the Company, was not forgetful of what was due to the public'.^[13]

Similarly, when James left Seaton Junction in 1889, he was gifted 'a Fitzroy barometer and a cheque'.^[15]

On the 5th of April 1891, James and his family resided at the train station at Great Torrington, where James was the station master^[16]. His son Alfred was a railway booking clerk, whilst his son Sydney was attending school.

James and his family moved yet again when he became station master at Ilfracombe on the 1st of March 1897^[3].

James' mother, Jane, died in 1900^[17], aged about 73

On the 31st of March 1901, James, his wife, and their two grandsons, Raymond and Clarence were living on 29 Belmont Road in Ilfracombe, very near Station Road where Ilfracombe station was located.^[18].

In 1902 there was a fatal accident at Ilfracombe station, where a passenger alighted from a moving train. James gave testimony at the inquest into his death^[19][20].

James fell into ill health in early 1908, reportedly suffering from 'a complication of disorders' and after some time spent on and off work, he passed away at 7:20pm on Sunday the 20th of December 1908 at his home on Belmont Road^{[3][21][22][23]}. An obituary was published in the North Devon Journal on the 24th of December, which stated 'the greatest regret is felt by all that his genial face will be seen no more with us'^[3]. His death was registered in the 4th quarter of 1908 in the registration district of Barnstaple ^[24].

A funeral was held on the 24th of December^[25], and James was buried at the parish churchyard in Ilfracombe^[26].

The probate of his will was granted to his wife, Charity, on the 12th of January 1909 at Exeter.^[23]

Research Notes

I have been unable to locate an 1861 Census for James on FindMyPast or FamilySearch. - Oscar Evans, 31/07/2022

There is a record set on Ancestry called 'UK, Railway Employment Records, 1833-1956', which may hold more details on James' career, but I cannot access it at this time as I do not have an Ancestry subscription. - Oscar Evans, 02/08/2022

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism: "Devon Baptisms", Archive: South West Heritage Trust; Reference: 540A/PR/1/7, FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (subscription required, accessed 31 July 2022), James Lock baptism on 17 Feb 1850, son of John & Jane, in Colebrooke, Devon, England.
2. ↑ 1851 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1851", citing The National Archives of the UK Class: HO107; Piece/Folio: 1887 / 14; Page: 5; Line: 18, FamilySearch Record: SGJC-C2H (accessed 31 July 2022) FindMyPast Image (subscription required), James Lock (1) son in household of John Lock (29) in Colebrooke in Crediton registration district in Devon, England. Born in Colebrooke, Devonshire.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6} Obituary: North Devon Journal. “DEATH OF MR. JAMES LOCK, STATIONMASTER.” Decembe 24, 1908. Page 8. https://search.findmypast.com.au/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0000328%2f19081224%2f105&stringtohighlight=james%20lock%20ilfracombe (subscription required), accessed 31 Jul 2022.
4. ↑ 1871 Census: "1871 England, Wales & Scotland Census", Reference: RG10; Piece number: 2161; Folio: 56; Page: 29; Schedule: 161, FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (subscription required, accessed 31 July 2022), James Lock (23) lodger in household of Thomas Labdon (34) in Back of Taw Vale in Crediton registration district in Devon, England. Born in England.
5. ↑ Marriage Banns: "Devon Marriages And Banns", Archive: South West Heritage Trust; Reference: 2935A/PR/1/49, FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (subscription required, accessed 31 July 2022), James Lock marriage to Charity Ann Cockram. Banns read on 29 Jun 1873 in Crediton, Devon, England.
6. ↑ Marriage Registration: "England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005", citing UK General Register Office. District: Crediton; Volume: 5B; Page: 719, FamilySearch Record: 2DG7-BHC (accessed 31 July 2022), James Lock marriage registered Jul-Aug-Sep 1873 in Crediton.
7. ↑ Child's Birth Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office", GRO Online Indexes - Birth (accessed 30 July 2022), Lock, Alfred Edwin (Mother's maiden name: Cockram). GRO Reference: 1874 Apr-May-Jun in Crediton Volume 05B Page 415.
8. ↑ Father's Death Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office", GRO Online Indexes - Death (accessed 30 July 2022), Lock, John (Age at death: 55). GRO Reference: 1876 Jul-Aug-Sep in Exeter Volume 05B Page 62.
9. ↑ Child's Birth Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office", GRO Online Indexes - Birth (accessed 30 July 2022), Lock, Sydney (Mother's maiden name: Cockram). GRO Reference: 1878 Jan-Feb-Mar in Plymouth Volume 05B Page 242.
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} Father-in-law's Probate: "Principal Probate Registry", https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/ (accessed 9 July 2022), Probate record for William Rudge Cockram, died 28 March 1879 at Stockleigh Pomeroy, will proved 16 May 1879 at Exeter, the sole executor James Lock of Northenhay-Street in the City of Exeter, Railway Goods Agent
11. ↑ Mother's Marriage: "Devon Marriages And Banns", Archive: South West Heritage Trust; Reference: 4316A/PR/1/4, FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (subscription required, accessed 30 July 2022), Jane Lock (Full) marriage to William Rudge Cockram (Full) on 5 Dec 1878 in Exeter, St James, Devon, England.
12. ↑ 1881 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1881", citing The National Archives of the UK Class: RG11; Piece/Folio: 2153/15; Page: 24; Line: 16, FamilySearch Record: Q276-R3L3 (accessed 31 July 2022) FindMyPast Image (subscription required), James Lock (32), married head of household in Exeter St David in Exeter registration district in Devon, England. Born in Colebrook, Devon, England.
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1 13.2} Exeter and Plymouth Gazette Daily Telegram. “PRESENTATION.” November 21, 1882. Page 2. https://search.findmypast.com.au/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0000505%2f18821121%2f004&stringtohighlight=james%20lock%20railway (subscription required), accessed 2 Aug 2022.
14. ↑ Devon Evening Express. “PRESENTATION TO A RAILWAY OFFICIAL.” November 21, 1882. Page 4. https://search.findmypast.com.au/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0000935%2f18821121%2f046&stringtohighlight=james%20lock%20railway (subscription required), accessed 2 Aug 2022.
15. ↑ Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. “SHUTE.” January 11, 1889. Page 6. https://search.findmypast.com.au/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0000508%2f18890111%2f050&stringtohighlight=james%20lock%20railway (subscription required), accessed 2 Aug 2022.
16. ↑ 1891 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1891", citing The National Archives of the UK Class: RG12; Piece/Folio: 1785/ 67; Page: 1; Line: 10, FamilySearch Record: W4VV-VW2 (accessed 2 August 2022) FindMyPast Image (subscription required), James Lock (43), married head of household in Great Torrington in Torrington registration district in Devon, England. Born in Devonshire, England.
17. ↑ Mother's Death Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office", GRO Online Indexes - Death (accessed 30 July 2022), Cockram, Jane (Age at death: 75). GRO Reference: 1900 Jan-Feb-Mar in Barnstaple Volume 05B Page 391.
18. ↑ 1901 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1901", citing The National Archives of the UK Piece/Folio: 97; Page: 35, FamilySearch Record: XSWF-W79 (accessed 2 August 2022) FindMyPast Image (subscription required), James Lock (53), married head of household in Ilfracombe in Barnstaple registration district in Devon, England. Born in Calebrake, Devonshire.
19. ↑ Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. “FATAL ACCIDENT AT ILFRACOMBE. - STEPPING FROM A MOVING TRAIN.” March 31, 1902. Page 2. https://search.findmypast.com.au/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0000510%2f19020331%2f009&stringtohighlight=james%20lock%20ilfracombe (subscription required), accessed 2 Aug 2022.
20. ↑ North Devon Journal. “FATAL ACCIDENT AT ILFRACOMBE. - STEPPING FROM A MOVING TRAIN.” April 3, 1902. Page 2. https://search.findmypast.com.au/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0000328%2f19020403%2f010&stringtohighlight=james%20lock%20ilfracombe (subscription required), accessed 2 Aug 2022.
21. ↑ Death Notice: North Devon Journal. “Births, Marriages, and Deaths - DEATHS” December 24, 1908. Page 8. https://search.findmypast.com.au/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0000328%2f19081224%2f124&stringtohighlight=james%20lock%20ilfracombe (subscription required), accessed 2 Aug 2022.
22. ↑ Death Notice: North Devon Gazette. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. - Deaths.” December 29, 1908. Page 8. https://search.findmypast.com.au/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0001193%2f19081229%2f135&stringtohighlight=james%20lock (subscription required), accessed 2 Aug 2022.
23. ↑ ^{23.0 23.1} Probate: "Principal Probate Registry", https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/ (accessed 30 July 2022), Probate record for James Lock of 29 Belmont-road Ilfracombe Devonshire railway station master, died 20 December 1908, probate granted 12 January 1909 at Exeter to Charity Ann Lock widow.
24. ↑ Death Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office", GRO Online Indexes - Death (accessed 2 August 2022), Lock, James (Age at death: 58). GRO Reference: 1908 Oct-Nov-Dec in Barnstaple Volume 05B Page 274.
25. ↑ Funeral Notice: North Devon Journal. “FUNERAL OF MR. J. LOCK..” December 31, 1908. Page 3. https://search.findmypast.com.au/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0000328%2f19081231%2f016&stringtohighlight=james%20lock (subscription required), accessed 2 Aug 2022.
26. ↑ Burial: "Devon Burials", Archive: South West Heritage Trust; Reference: 3253A/PR/1/22, FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (subscription required, accessed 2 August 2022), James Lock burial (died in 1908 at age 58) on 24 Dec 1908 in Ilfracombe, Devon, England.