John was the son of George Besford. He was born at Snitter and baptised at All Saints’ Church, Rothbury, on 9th June 1717.

John was an agricultural labourer. At the time of his marriage he was living in the Parish of Bellingham. He married Mary Felton on 9th October 1740 at St. Giles Church, Birtley (Birtley being a village near Wark). The couple then went to live at a farm called Countess Park, located near Redesmouth, on the banks of the North Tyne.

John and Mary had seven children. Their fifth child, Robert Besford, was baptised in February 1752.

I believe that John Besford died in 1788, but since the parish register entry is mostly illegible, I cannot be absolutely certain of this.