The truly benevolent and worthy subject of the present Memoir was the grandson of Stephen Locker or Lockier, Esq. the family name having been spelled in the latter mode in the reign of Charles the Second, as appears by the signature to a lease granted by one of its ancestors in that reign. The family originally possessed very considerable estates in the county of Middlesex, which became forfeited during the civil wars in consequence of that honourable and unshaken loyalty which subjected some men to the furious rapacity of republicanism; though royalty, after the re-assumption of its rights in the person of Charles the Second, appeared little attentive to the grateful task of healing those wounds which had been received in its defence.

John Locker, Esq. the son of Stephen, being particularly distinguished for his attachment to and the study of antiquities, was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. He was bred at Merchant Taylor's school, and from thence proceeded when at a proper age to Merton College, Oxford. After having with much diligence prosecuted his studies there for the proper length of time, he travelled with his friend Mr. Twisleton, who is said to have belonged to the same Society.