Locke Family Association, Inc.
The oldest incorporated family association in the United States
Founded August 26, 1891
Incorporated August 26, 1898 in Rye, NH

Our Purpose

We are a family organization that puts as great an emphasis on the fellowship of modern Locke descendants as on the traditional genealogical pursuits of collecting and publishing data and preserving Locke artifacts.

Our Annual Reunions

We hold an annual reunion to celebrate the family's accomplishments every year on the third Saturday in August, usually in Rye, New Hampshire. We have done this since our founding without fail, even through two world wars. Over 300 cousins attended our 100th reunion and over 100 cousins commemorated the 300th anniversary of the death of our ancestor, Captain John Locke.

Why Hold Reunions?

Of course, there are the usual reasons but we have had significant experiences at our reunions. On two separate occasions cousins who thought they were orphans with no family connections, found their second, third and fourth cousins at a reunion! A nine year old who thought he had a small family arrived to find a room full of cousins. This opened his mind to a broader world. It was an experience he never forgot and which helped influence his career choice.

Won't You Join Us?

Since our earliest days, the Association has welcomed as members descendants of other Locke families from New England including descendants of Capt. Locke's brother, Nathaniel. Descendants of William Locke of Woburn, Massachusetts are encouraged to join and participate as well as historians and researchers interested in local or genealogical history. We have an international membership with cousins from several countries.

Please send your $10.00 Annual Dues to:

Locke Family Association
c/o Robert A. Locke, Jr., Treasurer
35 Chimney Drive
Bethel, CT 06801

Your check or money order should be made payable to the "Locke Family Association". Visit Join Us for more details on becoming a member.

Preserving Locke History

The Association owns and preserves the Old Locke Burying Ground on Locke's Neck in Rye, NH which is the final resting place of John and Elizabeth (Berry) Locke and many of their children and grandchildren. Recently, the Association has joined with the Rye Historical Society to preserve historic landmarks and documents of the town. We also maintain an archive of historical items from the Associations history as well as items pertaining to individual Lockes.

How We Operate

The Association is a democratic organization which encourages the participation of all members in voting, holding office, and voicing concerns at meetings. Of course, all are encouraged to take the opportunity to make new friends with distant cousins.

Our Beginnings

The Locke Family Association was founded in 1891 by descendents of Capt. John and Elizabeth (Berry) Locke who settled at Locke's Neck in the middle of the Seventeenth Century. In 1898 a desire to make the Association a permanent organization led the members to incorporate under the laws of the State of New Hampshire. We believe we are the oldest incorporated organization of this type in the United States.

Our Hometown
Rye, New Hampshire

When Captain John and Elizabeth (Berry) Locke settled at Locke's Neck it was part of the town of Hampton, NH. In 1723 several citizens petitioned the legislature to create a new town out of a piece of Hampton. This new town, where Locke's Neck is located, was named Rye. Members of the Locke family were the primary movers in the creation of Rye.

Our Future Plans
The Locke Homestead Fund

One day, we hope to have a place in Rye where our archives and artifacts can be made available to Locke descendants. This fund was established at our one hundredth birthday reunion in 1991 and is being built by donations and bequests.