In the 1851 Census the Cade family employed Charity Dobson aged 42, a widow, a teacher who taught the Cade children at home.

Emma was a devout Christian who prayed for each of children daily. (K.Boyce 95)

Apparently there was a close relative on Emma's side of the family who was a 'strong' methodist minister, who was not liked. (G.Hinton 20.1.96)

When Alfred died Emma moved from The Villa to The Poplars, which was Ezra's house. (Bet Watkinson 29.4.95)

Letter to Mr H & R Duckering, The Uplands, Streamstown, Alberta, Canada. from his mother Emma (Copy on file – original with Beverley Carley)
The Villa, E. Barkwith, 12 July 1912
My Dear Herbert & Rose, I am writing to wish Herbert many happy returns of his birthday arriving, the text in my book is very good, I sat beneath his shadow with delight & his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me into the banqueting house & his banner over me was love, I sincerely wish dear Herbert this is your experience, it may be so, we must not let the worries of life rob us of the enjoyment there is for us in Christ. When he chastens us it is in love, to draw us from this world & set our affections on things above. I hope you are all quite well, baby improving nicely, it will be busy time with you the grain harvest one thing follows the other & keeps us going, we have had a spell of wet cold weather until the last few days it is fine & hot to day, our people got the pig ready for the Royal Show at Doncaster & we had word saying all pigs breed & sheep were prohibited from going on acct of foot & mouth disease, so no one went accept Ezra one day to the Show, it quite spoiled the show, they are not taking the pig to any other show, father was hoping to get a prize & then sell it for a good sum £50, but is a disappointment this insurance act begins next week, it is very serious father makes a great trouble of it – he has about 20 men to pay every week @ 3d a head for each & then he has to collect from them I think it is 4d each, they have to get the stamps & forms that pensions every week you can’t have a foreman a day without paying insurance & so many say they won’t pay it - it will make a lot of disturbance in the country as they will seize of the goods if they don’t pay, there seems trouble enough with impatience & bad debts without all this burden. I am glad you don’t have these things to trouble you. I know you find plenty without. I wrote to you a fortnight ago, I hope you have received my letter. I wrote to ? Joseph & told him you had lost his address, but would attend to him when you received my letter, I wish the distance was not so great between us should like to see you all. I often think about you, accept our united kind love & best wishes for you all, you will live in hope your dear family will be a great comfort to you. God bless them all, our united love to Ernest & Percy your ever loving mother E. Duckering

Mr & Mrs H.C. Duckering, The Uplands, Streamstown, Alberta, Canada
The Villa E. Barkwith, Lincoln 11-6-13
My dear Herbert & Rose, It seems a long time I wrote to you hope you are all well & doing well, it will be busy time with you. I often think of you all & wonder how things are going, I find the weather has much to do with the progress in the crops etc, We have had a lot of wet weather up to a few weeks ago, then we have had a spell of dry, there have been a few showers lately & the crops are looking fairly well – the frost has injured some of the fruit crops we have very few damsons & I think the plums are red plentiful with us – there are plenty gooseberries & currants & I think apples also, the weather business etc have made the spring crops back week but hope they shall pull round. Father seems to find plenty to do – the men are difficult to manage – one man left after paying him – shall all the short days, he engaged two more & neither stayed a week – they seem very independent, we have a fresh lad for the cows & rounds & he does not seem up to much so it is trying. I often wonder how you do with so little help, it must be hard work, for all there is a great deal of unrest in this country the farmers do not feel there home are secure to them - so many estates are being sold it is thought Mr Linnor will sell all about here before long we have not much now under him accept Wills house. Father has bought the Corkup garden & the piece of land going to the station with the road. Thereto, I thought about you all in May it is ten years since we saw you it seems a long time, my mind is often across the sea with you all. Richard send us a paper the Lorum he lives in will make great progress this year he does the duties of Dr, in many cases I think he will get along now with God’s blessing – he wants Sydney to go to him, but he does not seem inclined to go. George is a long time getting settled he has gone to a post in Doncaster so far he seems all right. Walter was here the other day he looks well & seems comfortable. Thirza has been at home more than a year, but her health has not been very good. Emma is about the same the last we heard of Alfred he has got a post in the insurance line he says, there is good pay so I hope he will do well, it is at Worksop. Mr Leach has a son in Sashkatchewan, his sister has gone just now to keep his house, he has been a few years & taken some land there, one of the Staples is at Saskatoon they went a few years since, there are a good many families have friends across the sea Aunt Walters family are in California hope they will see uncles. Amy & Maude are going for a week to Nottingham for Summer holiday to see Lizzie Duckering that was now is Mrs Mather she has nr family & likes the, to go the S.S.A.[Sunday School Annual] is over it was a serious good service & fairly well financially, the quarterly meeting is held at Barkwith on the 25th - the refreshment will be in the Chapel. Then the S.S. [Sunday School] children go to the sea for day trip in July, so you see there is always something to do, our schoolmaster is leaving this month something amiss between him X the Rev Ferry they have engaged another should like to have a long talk with you both it is so much better than writing, hope you are not working too hard, it is a easy matter when there is so much to do, how do the horses & pigs get along – hope all ? ? well, they take a lot of looking after & so much land to cultivate also, we seem to have a lot of help & find plenty to do, I hope you will have a good season with the grains, Mr Drury has two sons & one daughter gone to B.C., I think Vancouver, it seems nothing now to hear of people going out now, thankful we are all fairly well. Accept our united kind love to you both & all yours, also Ernest & Percy, hope they are well, & doing well. Your ever affectionate mother, E. Duckering

Letter to Mr H. C. Duckering, The Uplands, Streamstown, Alberta, Canada. Letter paper embossed ‘The Villa, East Barkwith, Lincoln’. Jan 1915. (Copy on file – original with Beverley Carley)
My dear Herbert & Rose,
You will have got the sad news of your dear fathers death. I have not felt I could write before, it is really a heavy blow & has come so suddenly upon us, it is a great comfort to know he has got safe home, he had been preparing for it some time & been so kind & patient, quite different to his old self, if the work had not been done before he would not had the home at last, he quite satisfied me all was well, & he looked so calm & peaceful everyone said he looked beautiful, I am sending you the ? of the funeral, in the paper, also a piece in the magazine we think Rev Ferry put it in, the will was read after the funeral all this side the sea were there but Charles. Ezra & William are to carry the business on as before & at my pleasure the family are to each have their portions. I could stay here a year, but I prefer to get away from the business, so expect to go to the Poplars in a short time & Ezra come here, I know the quiet will suit me best, they will see I do not want. I ought to be very thankful your sisters are going with me. I am glad Nehemiah & Percy are settled. Don’t know yet what Sydney will do. Alfred seems quite different says he means to meet his dear father in Jesus. Ezra & all are very kind could’nd be better these heavy trials seem to ? us from the would & cause us to seek for treasure in heaven, I have about 90 letters of sympathy, friends are very kind & father was well known & respected some say they had seen him so recently they could hardly realise he has gone, the family came for Christmas with little thought it would be the last. The Dr advised us to send for them all on the Monday, the thought him a little like on the Tuesday. Wed he passed away, so we had to send them back again to come to the funeral. There seems a lot to be done valuing for probate etc, & then moving. I want to get away before the busy time begins, father was at market two days the week before he died, they thought him so strong he might last some years yet, although he has not done so much shooting this year, but he seemed active after business.
The war is terrible you should read the damage done at Seasboro & Hartlepool, the winter is making it hard for them making progress, but I think when finer weather comes it will make a difference & a great many young men are joining the army & it will be a serious time financially – a great sacrifice of human life & money. We need to live show the world & its cares I am thankful there is a better place prepared for us, I hope you are allquite well. thankful we are as well as can be expected. Accept our united kind love & best wishes for the New Year for you & all yours your loving mother. E Duckering.

P.S. I wrote a letter yesterday & forgot to wish dear Herbert many happy returns of his birthday. I sincerely hope every year will find life more & more happy upon you & all yours. I feel you have much to be thankful for in your dear family all seem to be a great blessing, Winifred must be a great comfort to know she has done so well, also the others are a great help, I know shall you both have worked very hard & hope you will realise the comfort & blessing for your labours, the Lord is good & His promises are sure, we must trust Him fully, even when things don’t seem so bright as we could wish, Amy & George came for bank holiday, they have got with their new home & like it very much. George has worked very hard to get it done, he is very industrious & kind & they seem happy. Alfred is much improved he has settled down now for several years in a dyers business. He looks after the parcels going & coming in, his daughter is in a provision shop doing well – expect them all to see me next month. Walter is settled at the Haven, & George is on the railway signal box, don’t think his hand will let him follow his trade. Nehemiah & family are doing well a Notts. William does not have very good health, his wife is delicate also, but she is very kind & they seem happy together. Ezra is kind to me, but seems to have much business & cares upon his mind. The tennis club play upon our lawn. I let them have it on condition they keep it right. I have tried to remember most things to interest you. Everything keeps so dear & it takes a lot to live & pay the way, we keep looking upon the bright side & put our trust in God, accept my much love & good wishes your loving Mother.

Mr H C Duckering, The Uplands, Streamstown, Alberta, Canada. The Poplars, E Barkwith, 2 March 16.
My Dearest Herbert & Rose, I have been thinking very much about dear Rose sorry for her afflictions, hope their home & well again also you are having better weather. The season is going round fast & it will soon be spring. We have had a spell of cold weather high wind & snow, it is just improving & hope it will soon be fine. Sorry you can’t get your grain away for every reason, but that seems the way this terrible war affects you. Wheat & all sorts if grain is very dear, flour about 3s per stone, coal 30s per ton, & everything by the same side, they are calling all the single men up Ezra’s sons & Sydney are in trouble about it, we still hope for the best something may turn up to make things better & the Lord reigns & all his foes must submit to Him. You must have been very busy & done exceedingly well, since you left us, glad your dear family are so useful, Winnie will be a great help & comfort to her mother. I feel very thankful for it, if we leave ourselves entirely in the Lord’s hands we need fear no ill, He will always help & bless us, the world is His & all that is in it, & those who love Him are His peculiar care. I can quite see how it is we have so much trouble with the war our country has been shifting away from God in so many ways, pleasure seeking Sabbath breaking neglect of the means of grace all these things bring judgement upon us, if we read our bible we shall see it always has been so, there has been much prayer offered & things seem better in a many ways & I hope better days are in store for us. I am are very sorry for Ezra it is making a great difference to them in the trade & if his boys have to go it will still be much worse, so many of his men have gone, then they can’t get the material for making manure, they have been very kind to us ever since we there left, I often think it is a great blessing your dear father has got safe home & missing all these heavy trials, our loss is his gain, we must try so to live that we may meet again, Richard says it is very cold where he is, the most severe they have had for 25 years, he seems to have done well. I have much to be thankful for, may all our trials be satisfied for goods the winter is almost over & brighter days are before us, we must trust & not trouble, may God Bless you all & all our dear ones, thankful we are fairly well, not heard about Stanley. Think Walter is still in England, he may not go to the front, accept were visited friend - love to you all hoping all are well, your loving mother, E Duckering

The Poplars, E. Barkwith, Lincoln, 6-2-17
My Dear Herbert & Rose, Many thanks for P.P. C I am sure we are always very glad to have news from you & to know all are well, also feel much interested in your welfare. Sorry the cold weather stopped you from thrashing, but hope it is milder before this, - We are having a long time of frost & snow the most we have had since you left us, we in our bedrooms, today it is bright but freezes sharp snow on the ground, thankful the seeds are all fairly well – the cold weather will be good, there has been much sickness all over the country & it is needed to clear the air. The war still continues the hope it will be over in a few months they are doing all they can upon the sea, the Zepps have not done so much as they would like, they seem desperate, but they can’t go any place than God permits them. Amy went over to the haven yesterday for news of Walter. Annie had heard from him he is not nr the trenches at present, working for about 70 soldier in a farm yard & says he is well treated. I am thankful he has had a good share of difficulty. He may have it again, but we must trust & hope for the best, it is thought these will be a severe conflict about March which will finish all upon the darkest is just before the lights, one head men are fearing a great scarcity of provision but we must hope for the best, so far we have not suffered – prices are high, but we can get most things, our C.H. has not come this week we don’t know the season - we are hoping they will come the first weak they have missed, Maude is in London gone to be housekeeper for a lady postmistress, she is a friend of Edith Duckering’s of Wragby. She has been here with her & seems a very nice person. I hope she will be able to do her duties - we like our next Minister he works very hard & he had a covenant service for the new year, it was very solemn & very good. I wish you could have been with us, we had good fun in our Chapel. Amy is the only organist now. Maude was your gaity. Doughty is married she lives at Bardney, there are many changes since you left us, Mrs Porter & her daughter Charlotte are both dead. The family are all gone from this part, the old go & fresh ones comes, they will begin to build the new school nr the Chapel before long. We want a new organ in the Chapel, so there will be something to play, I shall be very pleased to have a letter when you can find time, I write many letters, but mostly in debt to some, accept our united kind love to you both & all yours hoping all are well your affectionate & loving mother E. Duckering. P.S. I hope you received letter & small parcel for Christmas.

An undated letter from Emma (nee Cade) Duckering in East Barkwith, Lincolnshire to her son Herbert in Alberta, Canada. George Henry Duckering, Emma’s son was only delployed to the front from circa July 1917 to his return September 1918. Therefore this letter has to be late 1917 for Christmas 1917
many thanks to all for pretty cards. I have not bought any this year I have so many letters to write to those at the war I send them G. Henry week, they are needed among the soldiers. Life is very uncertain with them. I wonder when the war will be over. We do all we can to help the Chapel. Also we have had cottage prayer meeting go all the winter, there were 14 in our house in our turn, there is something extra every week in the Chapel on Easter Sunday there is to be a service of song for the building funds, Amy wrote for Christmas, sorry I wrote my last letter you will be afraid your letter has missed, I received it to day so take the first opportunity to let you know about it, again thanking you & wishing you all a very happy & prosperous year with God’s blessing – believe me even to remain your loving mother
E Duckering
P.S. I hope you will do well with your cattle. I am afraid the pure bred short horrendous bulls are rather dangerous animals, glad your sons are such a help & comfort to you may God bless you all – should like to see you but the war must be over before that can be so we must be patient, much love E.D.

Mr & Mrs H. C. Duckering, The Uplands, Streamstown, Alberta, Canada
The Poplars E. Barkwith, Lincoln, Feb 9-18
My Dear Herbert & Rose, Very many thanks for your kind letter good wishes & contents it is really very kind of you dear Herbert to send me the cheque I never expected you to send me anything it is good of you, may God bless you for it, I am very thankful you are able to send post to Uncle Joseph, I feel a little responsible for it, but have always felt you would do right, the Lord has blessed you with wonderful sucesses, I am sure you have both done your best & worthy of the great success, hope Dear Winnie will be successful in her studies there is much to do in these days, so much is expected, it is a great strain – you seem very much like your dear father, he was always making money, but it went in building & buying property, so he always seemed poor you know what I mean, he had heavy expenses in many ways, We ought to be very thankful for the provision he has made for us, Ezra is very kind & sees we have all we need it has been more trouble ever since he had the responsibility which makes a great difference, Sydney is home again not strong enough for the military duties, they have treated him well but he has been in hospital a great part of the time he is to be examined again in April but I don’t think he will ever be much better, the boys in France are all well so far. I am thankful to write Walter is at Plymouth much better doing carpentry helping to make tents for soldiers, still under Drs care, Maude is in London the air raids are very hard there, they have been near where she is everything is scarce & dier there, they are trying to do all they can to keep people from starving, they have sugar cards 1/2lb each per worker extra 2 pence is to be, done so much per head for bread meat etc this country is in a bad state through the war, they are buying old horses for butcher meat, even butchers can’t get meat to sell, we have been so don’t feel it so much we don’t suffer, new milk every night butter every week & many other measures many people can’t get, the country people don’t suffer like town people, Alfred writes & cheerfully his daughter is in a grocers shop doing well, & he has been years in a dying establishment, they seem well off, Nehemiah seems to be doing well at Notts, Mrs C Duckering is leaving Wragby & going nr Lincoln, her home is sold, like many there are very sorry I write again, your letter has been so long in coming I was afraid you were unwell looking out every day for so long, some of the letters are very long on the way, accept our united kind love to you both & all yours

Mr & Mrs H. C. Duckering, The Uplands, Streamstown, Alberta, Canada
The Poplars E. Barkwith, Lincoln, Feb 9-18
My Dear Herbert & Rose, Very many thanks for your kind letter good wishes & contents it is really very kind of you dear Herbert to send me the cheque I never expected you to send me anything it is good of you, may God bless you for it, I am very thankful you are able to send post to Uncle Joseph, I feel a little responsible for it, but have always felt you would do right, the Lord has blessed you with wonderful sucesses, I am sure you have both done your best & worthy of the great success, hope Dear Winnie will be successful in her studies there is much to do in these days, so much is expected, it is a great strain – you seem very much like your dear father, he was always making money, but it went in building & buying property, so he always seemed poor you know what I mean, he had heavy expenses in many ways, We ought to be very thankful for the provision he has made for us, Ezra is very kind & sees we have all we need it has been more trouble ever since he had the responsibility which makes a great difference, Sydney is home again not strong enough for the military duties, they have treated him well but he has been in hospital a great part of the time he is to be examined again in April but I don’t think he will ever be much better, the boys in France are all well so far. I am thankful to write Walter is at Plymouth much better doing carpentry helping to make tents for soldiers, still under Drs care, Maude is in London the air raids are very hard there, they have been near where she is everything is scarce & dier there, they are trying to do all they can to keep people from starving, they have sugar cards 1/2lb each per worker extra 2 pence is to be, done so much per head for bread meat etc this country is in a bad state through the war, they are buying old horses for butcher meat, even butchers can’t get meat to sell, we have been so don’t feel it so much we don’t suffer, new milk every night butter every week & many other measures many people can’t get, the country people don’t suffer like town people, Alfred writes & cheerfully his daughter is in a grocers shop doing well, & he has been years in a dying establishment, they seem well off, Nehemiah seems to be doing well at Notts, Mrs C Duckering is leaving Wragby & going nr Lincoln, her home is sold, like many there are very sorry I write again, your letter has been so long in coming I was afraid you were unwell looking out every day for so long, some of the letters are very long on the way, accept our united kind love to you both & all yours

1921 Census, The Poplars, East Barkwith, Lincolnshire. Emma Duckering, head, age 80 8 months, widowed, born Staidbrook, Lincolnshire, retired. Thirza Duckering, daughter, age 60 7 months, single, born East Barkwith, not occupied. Emma Duckering, daughter, age 57 11 months, sigle, born East Barkwith, not occuppied. Horace Sydney Duckering, son, age 41 4 months, single, born East Barkwith, not occuppied. Maude Marian Duckering, daughter, age 37 7 months, single, born East Barkwith, home duties. George Edwin Baker, visitor, age 40 7 months married, born Moulton St James, Lincolnshire, a builder. Amy Baker, visitor, age 45 7 months, married, born East Barkwith, home duties.

Aug 8 21, The Poplars, E. Barkwith, Linc’hire
My Dear Herbert & Rose, It seems a long time since we heard from each other, hope you are all well doing well, I saw in the paper the crops are good in Alberta hope yours will be a success. I often think about you all. Winnie will be having her summer holiday it will be nice to have her home for a time – hope she is quite well, think the price of grain will be higher this year, it has been a serious dry season – the pastures are burnt up & water very scarce – never known it dry so long, we have had rain the last few days but the harvest is ready & going on all round us turnips & winter food will be very scarce, the frost caught our fruit trees & we have scarcely any fruit of any fruit but apples, they are good for the season – the wheat crops are fairly good, & hope the grain harvest will be satisfactory, we have not suffered through the coal strike – we got some in just before which served us until we could get more & there is coal to be had now – but it is dear, Nehemiah has been to see us. He & his family seem to be doing well at Notts., I had a nice letter from Uncle Joseph saying you have settled his accounts. I am very thankful he is in his 79 year & every winter takes a lot of getting over, with him & I may say the same if myself, I have not been good for much time last winter – can just get about in the house great difficulty in getting upstairs, can do a little needlework. I am thankful for that, it passes the time better, Maude finds plenty to do, she helps all she can in the Chapel, they had a great effort Bank holiday sale tea & biscuits, raised 60£, 47£ clear of all expenses were paid they have now near £400 they want 500 or more, to new seat the Chapel build schoolroom, stable etc, something extra every few weeks to raise the money, I was trouble about the farm at Breslingthorpe when I wrote last, but it is not to be sold now so they will be settled about it, nearly all the farmers round here are fresh people, but they seem a nice class not so stiff as some that have gone. I am glad you have service near you – hope they will be a great blessing life is short & we must do all we can for our own salvation also our dear ones – we shall all trust we meet in heaven at last though we are parted here, there is one God & Father of us all, & he is our best friend if we only trust him & no his will, I never forget you in my prayers every day, it is my earnest desire that we may saved, the things of the world will look small when we have to leave them all, accept our united kind love, to you both & all yours, your loving mother E. Duckering.
To Mr & Mrs H. C Duckering.

In 1873, the book of Lincolnshire Landowners records that Alfred of East Barkwith had 1.2.4 A.R.P., for which he paid a gross rental of £11.

The 1876 Kelly Lincolnshire directory under East Barkwith, lists, 'Alfred Duckering, nurseryman, seedsman, skin-dealer & manure manufacturer.'

See copy of original. “Memorandum. From A Duckering & sons Nurserymen, Seed Merchants, Manure Manufacturers & Bone Crushers, East Barkwith, Wragby. To Mrs Epton, West Barkwith, Wragby, Jan 28th 1889. Dear Madame, Hearing Mr Penrose has given the peice of land up under you in our Parish if it is at Liberty I will give you five pounds per year for it. I can farm it well having plenty of manure if you let me have it shall turnip it the first year, please let me know. Yours faithfully A Duckering.”

In Kelly's 1889 directory, he "founded a company called 'A.Duckering and Sons, East Barkwith Manure Works, which carried on business as nurserymen, seedsmen, florists, chemical manure manufacturers and bone crushers." There were offices in many of the market towns in North Lincolnshire.'

'Alfred was a seed merchant and also owned five greenhouses and an artificial manure works. (K.Boyce 95)

Taken from the 1903 Lincolnshire Town and Village Life.

'Though a village, and not a large one, East Barkwith has an industry of its own, and a flourishing one at that. We have not seen figures, and these days of keen income tax people proprietors of industries and enterprises are very chary of showing figures, which need not be a matter for surprise. But we have seen the premises of Messrs. Alfred Duckering and Sons, and we have seen the principals, and we should not need any special sort of wisdom to be able to guess that they are doing very well indeed. One would have to go back a long way to get atthe first of the East Barkwith Duckerings; they have been there for generations as gardeners, seedsmen, and florists, and thegrand-father of the present Mr Alfred Duckering was flourishing here to the age of 78 - certainly not to the extent of the present principals are., because the original home of the firm was in the shops near the Cross Roads Inn, now tenanted by Mr Penrosa, Then Mr Alfred Duckering moved along the road to the present premises, altered, enlarged, and to some extent rebuilt them, and at this moment you find him there - or in Lincoln on aFriday - doing a very considerable business. People in many parts of Lincolnshire grow roots and seeds for Mr Duckering, for the premises and the extensive area he farms are not inthemselves sufficient. Then there is the chemical manure business, down by the railway, which ought to be mentioned, andhe makes a hobby of pig breeding. His pigs have beaten Royal Show winners before to-day, and you will find quite a bunch of medals there won by the firm's boars and sows. Mr Alfred Duckering's father made a hobby of it also, and showed not only here but in Austria, Germany, and even as far away as Russia.

The Hundred Guinea Pig.

There is a story which Mr Alfred Duckering told us about his father, which we have told before, but which will be repeating. Mr Duckering's father always exhibited at the Scottish Royal year by year, and one year took up a particularly good sow, which as he had anticipated, took first prize in its class. The Earl of Ellsmere, a noted breeder of that day, came up and admired the animal. He wanted to buy, but the owner from East Barkwith did not want to sell; in fact he refused to do so. "Oh, do put a price on it," persisted the Earl. "No," said Mr Duckering. "Name a price," again asked the nobleman. "I don't want to sell," declared Mr Duckering, with all the emphasis possible. "Not at any price ?" still persisted his would-be customer, nothing daunted. "Not at a penny less than a hundred guineas," said Mr Duckering, turning away thinking he had effectually choked the bidder off. "I'll take the sow," remarked the Earl, quietly. And the deal was made thereand then. Mr Duckering, when he came back to East Barkwith, always declared that he would have obtained double had he asked it, and there was no denying that the Earl was really very keen on possessing the animal, which lives in East Barkwith history not only as the best Mr Duckering owned - which is saying a great deal - but quite the best ever seen for many miles around. But Mr Alfred Duckering, as we have said is a content to make this really only a hobby. Mr William Duckering, Mr Alfred Duckering's son, claims it was through him that the curly coated breed of pigs was started, and this also, we may be certain, isa story that will interest the many.

How Lincolnshire Curly Coats Began.

Pig breeding and pig feeding is an old-established business with the Duckering family. Mr William Duckering in particular takes avery close interst in it, and it is he who tells the story ofthe beginning of Lincolnshire curly coated pigs of the type that attracted such wide spread attention at the Lincolnshire Show the week before last. How it all happened, he says, is in this way. Something like thirteen years ago, when the Lincolnshire Show was held at Sleaford, prizes were offered for Lincolnshire pigs,that being the first time there had been such a class in the history of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, though therehad been good deal of discussion about the matter earlier without anything really definite materialising. There was a good entry for the class as the result of which the Duckerings of East Barkwith gained not only first, but also the second prize for Lincolnshire pigs. One of the competitors who was not assuccesful expressed dissatisfaction and lodged a protest against the winners on the ground that what they had been showing were not Lincolnshire pigs. There was a hearing, of course, and one consequence was that it was decided there should in future be a definition of what really constituted a "Lincolnshire pig." One of the Committee, during the hearing of the protest, asked Mr William Duckering, "If we had called them curly-haired would you have shown ?" and Mr Duckering replied that he would not have done so. There was a further inquiry, as the result of which it was found that the animal entered by the protesting gentleman was not pure bred, and was eventually persuaded to withdraw his protest. But next year the class was announced as "Curly Haired Lincolnshire." The dispute thus served, at any rate to clearly define what the breed was.'

Alfred also farmed Glebe Farm at West Barkwith - 1905 Lincolnshire Directory., , , , ,

'Alfred bred and sold ferets. He sent them by rail all over the country. He would have parcels arriving, swop the labels whilethe train was waiting and rewrite new addresses and re-attach them to his outgoing parcels of ferrets.'

Article from a local paper. 'EAST BARKWITH. Mr Alfred DUCKERING, of this village, again made the hearts of the needy poor and widows glad this Christmas by presenting each with a couple of rabbits. The recipients desire through our columns to return thanks to him.'

Obituary from The Monthly Parish Magazine for E & W Barkwith Jan ’15 - copy on file.
Mr Alfred Duckering. It is with great regret that we have to notice the death of our senior parishioner, for no one among us has lived and laboured in the parish longer than Mr Alfred Duckering. Whilst by many years of great industry he has contributed so largely to the prosperity of the parish, we specially note here Mr Duckering’s long service to his parish Church. When the Church was so well restored some 50 years ago, when Mr Haskoll was Rector. Mr Duckering took a very active interest in the work, and undertook the task of collecting the money contributed by the parishioners, year by year, until the whole cost was paid. For nearly forty years Mr Duckering, as Churchwarden, has taken such good care of the fabric of the Church, that the Archdeacon of Stow, on the occassion of his recent visit, could find no fault with it.
The Sunday before Christmas was the last occasion on which Mr Duckering was able to attend Church, though he was not then feeling at all well. On Christmas Day he was not so well; and four days afterwards he passed peacefully away, the cause of death being heart failure, which was not surprising, considering that he had lived such a strenuous life for os many years, for he would have completed his 79th year, if he had lived another month.
we offer our sincere sympathies to the large family that mourns his loss, and especially to her, who had been his faithful helpmate for full sixty years.

Obituary from the Lincolnshire Chronicle, January 16th 1915,page 2 - East Barkwith section.
DEATH OF MR A DUCKERING. One of the best known personages in East Barkwith and neighbourhood, in the person of the late Mr Alfred Duckering, recently passed away after a brief illness, in his 79th year. The deceased was the oldest parishioner, and had spent all but two years of his life in the parish. The important nursery, seed and manure business known widely as that of Messrs A Duckering and Sons, founded by his grandfather, was brought to its present extensive and prosperous proportions by him. Marrying early he and Mrs Duckering had a large family of whom seventeen are now living. Several of the sons, notably Messrs Ezra and William Duckering have been members of the firm, and helped largely in its development and prosperity. The deceased personally attended the various markets up to almost the last, and was at Lincoln as late as Christmas Eve. He was widely known and thoroughly respected for his sterling character, and the straightforward principles which guided him throughout. For many years he acted as churchwarden of East Barkwith church and was also a manager of the school. Up to a recent date he was very active and took the keenest interest in all his affairs and of the parish generally. He was an excellent shot. On the last Sunday he appeared as well as ever. He was seized with ill nessecarly on Monday and succumbed to congestion and heart failure on Wednesday. The funeral took place at East Barkwith on the Saturday. All the members of the family living in England we represent and other relatives included; Mr & Mrs Edward Duckering (Kirton Lindsey), Miss E. Duckering (Wragby), and Mr Chas. Cade (Barton-on-Humber). Friends from a very wide area attended, and included, Mr J W Ward, Withcall; Mr E Frearson, West Barkwith; Mr W Frearson, Skegness; Mr W Nicholson, Panton; Mr G Mawer, Wragby; Dr and Mrs Denny, the Misses Monkhouse, Mr R Penrose, East Barkwith; Mr Tupholme, and many others. The service was conducted by the Rector (the Rev. J B Ferry), assisted by the Rev. J Birch and Rev. W Moore, R.D., the latter of whom read the committal service. The organist was Miss Monkhouse. The following hymns were sung, "Jesu, Lover of my Soul," and "Peace, Perfect Peace," in church and, "Now the labourer's task iso'er," the graveside. The 'Dead March' was solemnly played whilst the mourners were leaving the church, The coffin, covered with floral emblems, was borne by employers of the firm. The coffin was of solid oak with brass mountings and was first deposited in the chancel. The church was completely filled by those present. Mr Duckering will be long remembered by all who knew him.' (See copy of original on file).,

'This is the last Will and Testament of me Alfred Duckering of East Barkwith in the County of Lincoln, Seed Merchant and Manure Manufacturer. I appoint my wife Emma Duckering and my sons Ezra Duckering, Nehemiah Duckering and William Timson Duckering Executors and Trustees of this my Will. I desire and bequeath all my real and personal estate (except the residence known as The Villa and business premises and about 2 1/2 acres of Nursery Gardens thereto adjoining and the good will of the business here in after desired and bequeathed unto my said Trustees Upon trust that my said Trustees pay the income arising from the rents of my real estate as above to my said Wife during her lifetime for the maintenance of herself and such of my children as shall be under twenty one years of age and permit my said wife to occupy the dwelling house known as the "Poplars" with the premises and garden thereto belonging and to use the furniture and household effects of the dwelling house in which i now reside during her lifetime and from and after her decease I direct my said Trustees or the survivors of them to sell by public auction the before mentioned household furniture and real estate desired and bequeathed to them in trust and divide the proceeds arising from such sale among my children Thirza Duckering, Richard Duckering, Emma Duckering, Hannah Duckering, Fanny Caroline Duckering, Alfred Duckering, Charles Joseph Duckering, Herbert Cade Duckering, Amy Duckering, Ernest Harold Duckering, Walter Edward Duckering, Horace Sidney Duckering, Percy Duckering, Maude Marion Duckering, George Henry Duckering or such of them as shall be living at the time of my decease in equal proportions share and share alike. I direct my said Trustees to value by a duly licensed Valuer the whole of my personal estate (except the aforesaid furniture and goodwill of the business) and including all the book debts and cash in hand to divide the amount so obtained after payment of my debts, funeral & testamentary expenses into eighteen equal parts or shares one whole share to be at once given to my son Ezra Duckering, one whole share to be at once given to my son Nehemiah Duckering, and one whole share to be at once given to my son William Timson Duckering and the amount of one half share to be given to such remaining children viz Thirza Duckering, Richard Duckering, Emma Duckering, Hannah Duckering, Fanny Caroline Duckering, Alfred Duckering, Charles Joseph Duckering, Herbert Cade Duckering, Amy Duckering, Ernest Harold Duckering, Walter Edward Duckering, Horace Sidney Duckering, Percy Duckering, Maude Marion Duckering, George Henry Duckering to be paid at the end of twelve months from my decease as shall have attained the age of 21 years or as soon as that age shall bereached. I direct my said Trustees to allow my said sons Ezra Duckering, Nehemiah Duckering, William Timson Duckering the use of the amount of the fifteen half shares remaining until my decease of my said wife when I direct that the fifteen half shares shall be given as follows: the amount of one half share each to Thirza Duckering, Richard Duckering, Emma Duckering, Hannah Duckering, Fanny Caroline Duckering, Alfred Duckering, Charles Joseph Duckering, Herbert Cade Duckering, Amy Duckering, Ernest Harold Duckering, Walter Edward Duckering, Horace Sidney Duckering, Percy Duckering, Maude Marion Duckering, George Henry Duckering. Whereas my three sons Ezra Duckering, Nehemiah Duckering, William Timson Duckering have for many years helped me in the business of Seed Merchant & Manure Manufacturer now I desire and bequeath unto them the whole of my dwelling house known as the "The Villa" with all warehouses, granaries, stables, greenhouses & premises together with the gardens, nurseries and orchards comprising two and half acres (more or less) thereto belonging as also the goodwill of the business for the purpose of carrying on the business of Nurserymen, Seed Merchants and Manure Manufacturers, so long as they shall think fit upon the condition of their paying to my said wife the sum of Twenty pounds a year to be paid half yearly, the 1st payment to be made six months after my decease. I direct that such of my children as shall die during my lifetime leaving lawful issue, such issue shall take the share their parent would have taken had he or she survived me. I declare that all sums of money which may have been or hereinafter may be advanced by me to any of my said children shall be decreased parts of the share respectively given to them by this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have set my hand this 25th day of July 1892.
Alfred Duckering Signed by the said Testator as and for his last Joseph Cade Will and Testament in our presence who in his Wesleyan Minister, Tiverton presence of each other at the sametime at his
request subscribe our names as witnesses - Ernest William Cade
the word such being crossed out & the words The Manse, Tiverton
'be given' introduced into the seventh line of the
second page.'

This is a Codicil to my last Will & Testament dated 25th July1892. Whereas by the aforesaid Will I appointed my Wife Emma Duckering and my sons Ezra Duckering, Nehemiah Duckering and William Timson Duckering Executors & Trustees of this my Will. Now I revoke my Will so far as my son Nehemiah Duckering is concerned & direct that my said Wife and my said sons Ezra & William Timson shall be the Trustees & Executors of this my Will. And whereas I made certain exceptions on the seventh, eigth & ninth lines of this my will to these it is my Will to add. And whereas I have advanced to my son Nehemiah Duckering the sum of £600 to set him up in business on his own account I revoke my Will in so far as he is concerned in the estate desired & bequeathed to my three sons Ezra Duckering, Nehemiah Duckering and William Timson Duckering comprising the dwelling house known as the Villa with all granaries, stables, greenhouses & premises, together with the gardens, nurseries & orchards, comprising 2 1/2 acres (more or less) there to belonging as also the good will of the business for the purposeof carrying on the business of Nurserymen, Seed Merchants & Manure Manufacturers and desire and bequeath such said estate to my sons Ezra Duckering and William Timson Duckering subject to the conditions specified in my said Will and whereas it is necessary to the better carrying on of the business of Manure Manufacturers that the piece of land adjoining the works & known as Staves land comprising 2 1/2 acres (more or less) should beconnected with the works now. I here by desire and bequeath thes aid piece of land to my said sons Ezra Duckering and William Timson Duckering absolutely. In all other respects I confirm my said will as witness my hand this 9th day of July 1895.
Alfred Duckering

Signed by Alfred Duckering the said Joseph Cade Testator as & for a Codicil to his last Wesleyan Minister, Redcar Will & Testatment in our presence who
in his presence & in the presence of Adah Cade each other at the same time at his his wife request subscribe our name as witnesses'

On the 3rd day of August 1915 Probate of this will (with a Codicil) was granted at Lincoln to Ezra Duckering and William Timson Duckering two of the Executors'. I do hereby certify this to be a correct copy.
Lincoln 12th August 1915.
See copy of will on file.

Glebe farm was 100 acres in size at Alfred's death, which he bequeathed to Ezra and William, which resulted in a family feud fighting over gaining a share in the farm. The dispute eventually ended up at the High Court, Chancery Division in London in 1926. The plaintiffs were Ezra and William and the defendants were Nehemiah, Thirza, Emma, Hannah, Alfred, Amy, Walter, Horace, Sidney, Maude and George Henry. ( See Court documents on file.)

Letter from Mr C T Jessap, Incorporated Accountant, Incorporated Secretary, Telephone No. 7, Barlow Chambers, Skegness and at Spilsby, Telephone No. 19, dated 29th June 1929, addressed to Messrs. H. C., E. H. & P Duckering, Streamstown, Alberta, Canada. (Copy of original letter on file).
Dear Sirs,
Alfred Duckering decd.
I am in receipt of your letter of the 5th inst. And note your remarks.
My investigation into the affairs of Alfred Duckering decd. Has been limited to the finding of the position as between that estate and the estate of the late W. Frearson, and my instructions are confined to that. On going through the papers, however, I notice that your shares in the distribution of the estate amount to £296.11s.10d each, on account of which you have each received £100.
Your claims for the balance are not against the late Mr Frearson, but should be addressed to the surviving Executor of Alfred Duckering decd., Mr Ezra Duckering, The Villa, East Barkwith, Lincs., England, or to Mr Geo. J Wray, F.A.A., Accountant, 6 Albion Terrace, Cartergate, Grimsby, Lincs., the latter gentleman having acted as accountant to the estate.
Yours faithfully, signed C T Jessap

Emma married Alfred when she was only 14. They went to Hull tomarry. (See certificate on file).

The marriage certificate for Alfred DUCKERING amd Emma CADE,record their ages as full, he a bachelor and her a spinster.They married at Holy Trinity Church, Hull on the 11th August1854. The both gave their residence as West Street. Alfred'sfather is Richard an Inn Keeper and Emma's William, a farmer.