OLD PLYMOUTH . UK
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WHO WAS WHO IN OLD PLYMOUTH

EDMUND LOCKYER (1750-1836)

In the time of King Charles II the Lockier (sic) family lived at Honiton, in east Devon.

The Reverend Nicholas Lockyer was born to Mr Nicholas Lockier, of Honiton, where he was baptised on December 9th 1677.  He became the Vicar of Luppitt Parish, also in Devon.  He married Anne and they had at least one child, also named Nicholas Lockyer, who was baptised at Luppitt Parish Church on May29th 1711.  The Reverend Lockyer passed away and was buried at Luppitt on July 15th 1754.

Nicholas Lockyer married Miss Joan Tucker, who was baptised at Saint Andrew's Church, Plymouth, on December 9th 1799.  They had nine sons of whom the third, Orlando Lockyer (0000-0000), eighth, Edmund Lockyer (1750-1836), and ninth, Thomas Lockyer (0000-1806), were the principle descendants.

Edmund Lockyer, the eighth son, was baptised on September 18th 1750 and settled in Plymouth.  He was described by Henry Woollcombe as 'of low origin, but got rich by being a government contractor'.  Crispin Gill says this was by handling the disposal of prize ships and cargoes.  He became a County Magistrate and a Deputy-Lieutenant of Devon.  Mr Lockyer became an Attorney and Solicitor with an office at 9 Charles Street, Saint James's Square, London, as well as in Plymouth.  He took a great interest in all matters relating to the development of the Town and was involved in the building of the Theatre Royal, the Royal Hotel and also public baths and libraries.  Lockyer Street was named in his memory.  Edmund Lockyer senior served as Mayor of Plymouth for 1803-1804, 1821-1822 and 1823-1824.

On March 17th 1782 Edmund Lockyer married Miss Eleanor Penrose at the Parish Church of Saint Ives, in Cornwall.  They appear to have had only one daughter, Miss Eleanor Margaret Penrose Lockyer, who was baptised at Saint Andrew's Church, Plymouth, on January 24th 1784.  She married Mr Samuel Pym at Saint Andrew's Church on May 23rd 1802.

Mrs Eleanor Lockyer was buried at the Ancient Parish Church of Saint Andrew the Apostle on April 25th 1807.

Mr Edmund Lockyer died at his home in George's Place, Plymouth, on February 20th 1836 and was laid to rest in his family's vault in Saint Andrew's Church on Thursday February 25th 1836.

His Death Announcement in the "Exeter and Plymouth Gazette" read: 'This venerable and highly respected gentleman had reached the advanced age of 85 years, and was amongst the oldest inhabitants of Plymouth, a town he had seen double itself in size, and been an active promoter of all those plans that have contributed thereto, as well as increasing it in wealth and national importance.  Mr Lockyer had, by by persevering industry, raised himself into independence.  He practised as Notary Public during the war with much success; he had been three times called to fill the Chair of the Chief Magistrate of this borough; he was also a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the County, and a worthy member of the ancient fraternity of Freemasons.  His remains were interred in the family vault in Saint Andrew's Church yesterday (Thursday), when a large number of the gentlemen and principal tradesmen attended the funeral.  Scarcely an institution in the town but enjoyed his great liberality; he was ever ready, with all the means in his power, to promote its general welfare and the poor will, by his death, suffer a great loss.'