Wills. Mary Ann Duckering of East Barkwith Lincshire died 12thMay 1918. Probate to Ezra Duckering seed merchant. Effects£4,488 6s 7d. (Michael D. 29.6.96)

'This is the last Will and Testament of me Mary Ann Duckering ofEast Barkwith in the County of Lincoln the wife of EzraDuckering. I devise and bequeath all the real and personalEstate to which I shall be entitled at the time of my deceaseunto my Husband Ezra Duckering absolutely. And I Executorappoint my said Husband Sole Executot of this my Will herebyrevoking all other Testamentary writing. In witnesswhereof I have hereunto set my hand this Twenty eighth day ofDecember One thousand nine hundred and three.
Signed by the said Testator Mary
Ann Duckering as and for her last
Will and Testament in the presence
of us present at the same time, who
at her request in her sight and presence
Mary Ann Duckering and in the presence of each otherhave subscribed our names as attesting
witnesses.
Charles Garrett, Bricklayer
Arthur Smith
On the 10th day of August 1918 Probate of this Will was grantedat Lincoln to Ezra Duckering the sole Executor. I do herebycertify this to be a correct copy. Lincoln 15th August 1918. EForbes Lankestar, District Registrar. Lincoln.' (Michael)

The Panton Estate sale 15/16th August 1917
'Several other smaller lots, chiefly comprising enclosures of arable or meadow land, but also including some dwellings, made up the balance of the East Barkwith part of the Panton Estate. The Duckering family took the opportunity to buy several lots, including the house and adjoining blacksmith's shop without buildings, garden and paddock off the Hainton road. The whole amounted to just over three acres and sold for the princely sum of £250! An area of land by the side of the South Willingham road, originally a grass paddock and garden extending to 1 acre, 2 roods and nine perhces, and on which now stand council houses and bungalows, was bought by Ezra Duckering for £60. This area of land, in three plots, was under the tenancy of William Beeand W Pickwell. Ezra Duckering also bought two closures of grassland adjoining the railway line immediately north west of the Station, whilst William Duckering bought Hyrib Cottage on the south corner of the cross roads in the village (this is the same house as the now fancifully-named 'East Barkwith Manor House'. Built in 1912 by the Turnor Estate, the cottage originally had a flat concrete roof, but later on Rutland, a builder from Wragby, converted the property to the style it had pre-'East BarkwithManor House'). At the time, the cottage was occupied by a J Scott, son of the butcher of the same name. William Timson Duckering lived in The Limes (Panton Road, diagonally opposite the Station) at that time, and it was sold to one Mr Blythe from Hatfield - The Limes was built by Squire Turnor in 1909. The small holding known as Ings Farm (24 acres with house and buildings), and two adjoining enclosures sandwiched between the South Willingham Road and the railway line totalling 30 acres, were withdrawn unsold.
Twp lots of land off Torrington Lane, and approached via a lane by the side of Sycamore Cottages was sold separately to a Mr Rushley of South Willingham (four enclosures previously tenanted by Fanthorpe and Jackson), and to the sitting tenant Mr W Stephenson (1 acre 1 rood and 36 perches for £70). Other lots went to Elijah Brackenbury, John Richardson from West Barkwith and Mr Harrison from Mansfield Woodhouse. In addition, there were three small pieces of woodland in the centre of thevillage. Only one of these now remains - between the old schooland The Villa - and it was bought at the time by the Duckerings.'

Ezra lived at The Poplars before moving to The Villa after his father's death. (Bet Watkinson 29.11.95)

When Ezra's wife died in 1918 he inherited from her £4,488 6s7d. (See Mary's file)

Ezra inherited the house at Barkwith, which I presume is the house at Glebe Farm. Apparently this house was sold by Ted, who gave most of the proceeds to Lincoln Cathedral.

Daniels advises that Ezra and several of his family owned various farms in and around East and West Barkwith. (Daniels/Jill Dyson 22.4.96)

Bet Watkinson has acquired two account ledgers originally belonging to Ezra and cover the years 1907 to 1919, each having 1003 pages. They record the customers, with details of their purchases, cost and payment. (Jill Dyson 30.4.96)

1921 Census. Duckering, Ezra, head 65 yrs 1 mth Widower born East Barkwith, ocupation Nursery & Seedsman, Employer of no fixed place. Duckering, Robert Alfred, son 33 yrs sinle born East Barkwith, Nursery & Seedsman employed by A Duckering & Sons, no fixed place. Duckering, Henry son 31 yrs 10 mths single born East Barkwith, Working on Farm employed by E Duckering & Sons, at home. Duckering, Arthur Ezra, son age 29 7 mths single born East Barkwith, assistant, employed by A Duckering & Sons, at home. Duckering, Margaret Amy, daughter age 27 yrs 9 mths single born East Barkwith, housekeeper at home. Duckering, Joseph son 25 yrs 5 moths single born East Barkwith, assistant A Duckering & sons at home. Duckering, John Edward, son age 24 yrs 4 mths born East Barkwith, assistant A Duckering & sons at home. Duckering, Dorothy Eleanor, daughter 22 yrs 6 mths single born East Barkwith, assistant housekeeper at home. duckering, Anthony, son 21 yrs 5 mths single born East Barkwith, assistant A Duckering & sons at home. Duckering, Septimus, son 20 yrs 2 mths single born East Barkwith, assistant A Duckering & sons at home. Miles, Ada, servant 31 yrs 11 mths single born Waddingworth private - employed by E Duckering.

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

Ezra laid a stone at the Wesleyan Chapel in East Barkwith in memory of his great grandfather Christopher in 1925. (Bet Watkinson 29.11.95)

Ezra in his old age was looked after by his daughter Dollie. (Margaret Oldham, 22/2/96)

In the June edition of the Lincolnshire Life, 1995, there was a photograph of a Sunday School trip, for which Ezra lent them his waggon. This an extract from a letter written by Kathleen Stephenson (nee Noble) to Lincolnshire Life and published in the August edition 1995. ' I was one of the Sunday School teachers and rode in the dray, identifiable by the large collar on my coat. ... Having already sung some of the anniversary hymns walking around the village we were about to set off for West Barkwith, then through West Torrington, singing our hymns at various stops. We arrived back to a tea ready and waiting in theschoolroom. (I can almost taste the seed cake.) In the evening,after races and fun in a paddock, we repeated from the platform the programme of hymns and recitations we had given twice on the Sunday. Light refreshments and games in the paddock brought amemorable weekend to a close. Those were the days! '(Jill Dyson 30.4.96)

Margaret Oldham can remember meeting Ezra at the house in East Barkwith when she was ten, in 1945, the year of his death and he had a long white beard that reached to the ground! Margaret also advised that she was told that none of Ezras children had any children. She also advised that Maggie and Dolly stayed at home to look after Ezra.

Lincolnshire Echo, 11 January 1945. Nurseryman’s Death. Mr Ezra Duckering, of “The Villa,” East Barkwith, who attended markets in Lincoln, Market Rasen, LOuth and Horncastle since he was eight years ol age, has died at his home. He was head of the firm of A. Duckering and Sons, nurserymen and seedsmen, of EastBarkwith, and was in his 89th year. The funeral will take place at Barkwith Church on saturday at 2pm.


'This is the last Will and Testament of me Ezra Duckering ofEast Barkwith in the County of Lincoln, Farmer and Seedsman.
1. I revoke all previous Wills made by me.
2. I appoint my two sons Robert Alfred Duckering and John Edward Duckering and my daughter Margaret Ann Duckering to be the joint Executors and Trustees of this my Will.
3. I give the portrait in oils of my Father to my son Robert Alfred Duckering absolutely, I give all my silver and plate and plated articles to my two Daughters Margaret Ann Duckering and Dorothy Eleanor Duckering equally between them and I declare that all the rest of my furniture and effects shall remain in my house at East Barkwith unsold for so long as any member of my family wishes to reside there the furniture to go with the house and ultimately to form portion of my residuary estate. 4. As regards all the residue and remainder of my property estate and effects including the business now carried on by me at East Barkwith Lincolnshire or elsewhere I give the same unto my trustees and I authorise them to carry on any business in whichI may be engaged at the time of my death for the benefit of myfamily generally and for so long as they wish and to use the capital invested therein by me at my death and without beingresponsible in any way for any loss resulting therefrom and I direct that the profits of my business so long as the same shall be carried on and also the rents and income of all myother estate until sold shall be divided equally between my children namely Robert Alfred Duckering, Henry Duckering, ArthurEzra Duckering, Margaret Ann Duckering, Joseph Duckering, John Edward Duckering, Dorothy Eleanor Duckering, Anthony Duckering and Septimus Duckering or such of them as may be living at mydeath and the survivor or survivors of them in equal shares but I authorise my trustees with the consent of the Beneficiaries under this my Will if they think it advisable to discontinue my said Business and to sell the same portion of my residuary estate and effects at any time they may consider appropriate and upon any such sale the proceeds thereof shall be equally divided between my nine children above mentioned or such of them as shall be living at the date of sale and the survivor orsurvivors of them in equal shares. It being my wish that uponthe deaths of any of my children his or her share in the income of my estate shall pass and be paid to the surviving members ofmy family and if my business or any portion of my residuary estate shall at any time be sold or realised all my nine children or such of them as shall be living at the date of suchsale shall receive in equal shares their portion of my estate but I express desire that my grass field situate at West Torringtonin the County of Lincoln containing thirteen and a half acres and thirty perches called the Gars also the cottage and garden adjoining shall not be sold under the directions before mentioned but shall be retained in my family and kept for my sons and daughters for so as possible. In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand this 12 day of Dec One thousand nine hundred and forty one.
Signed by the said Ezra Duckering
the testator as and for his last EZRA DUCKERING Will and Testament in the presence
of us both being present at the
same time who ate his request in
his presence and in the presence
of each other have here unto
sunscribed our names as witnesses
Renolds Scorer Solicitor Lincoln
A M Taylor (his clerk)
On the 25th day of October 1945 Probate of this Will was granted at Lincoln.'
(See copy on file)

Will. Ezra of The Villa, East Barkwith, Lincolnshire, died 9th January 1945. Probate to Robert Alfred D., John Edward D., seedsman and Margaret Ann D. spinster. Effects £23,182 1s 9d.(Michael)

Ezra Duckering and Arthur E Duckering (son) were both awarded the George V Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, borg inscribed with their names - see picture

Parish register: 1886 Marriage solemnized in the parish church in the parish of Washingboro’ in the county of Lincoln. No 355. Jan’y 5th. Ezra Duckering both of full age, bachelor, seed merchant, residing East Barkwith, father Alfred Duckering, seed merchant. Mary Ann Herd, spinster residing Washingboro’, father Robert Herd, farmer. Both signed in the presence of Thomas Doncaster and Thirza Duckering.

Stamford Mercury, 8 January 1886. Marriages. Duckering-Herd. Jan 5th, at St John Evengelist’s church (by the Rev John Dudding), Ezra Duckering, eldest son of A> Duckering, seed merchant, E. Barkwith, to M A Herd, only daughter of R Herd, farmer, Washingborough.