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John Besford (1872-1954)
John Besford was born on 5th February 1872 at Cowpen Square, Blyth, Northumberland. John was the son of Alexander Besford, a coal miner, and his wife Elizabeth (Bessy) Besford (née Mills).
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Cowpen Square
Cowpen is situated on the southern bank of the River Blyth. The opening up of the Cowpen North and South pits at the end of the eighteenth century led to the building of Cowpen Square in order to house the coal miners and their families who came to Cowpen to work in these pits.
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Thomas Besford (1833-1914)
Thomas Besford was born at Espley, Northumberland, in 1833. He was baptised at the parish church of St. Mary Magdalene, Mitford, on 21st April 1833.
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Mary Besford (later Ferguson) (1822-1883)
Mary Besford was baptised at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Horton , Northumberland, on 27th January 1822. Her parents were Robert Besford (1792-1844) and Mary Besford (née Marshall).
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Catherine (Kate) Besford (later Gordon)
Catherine Besford was born on 22nd September 1883 at Bog Row, Hetton-le-Hole, Co. Durham. Catherine was the daughter of George Besford (1852-1935), a coal miner, and his wife Isabella Besford (née Miller).
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John Besford (1749-1816)
John Besford was the son of John Besford and Mary Besford (née Felton). John was born in Birtley, Northumberland and was baptised at St. Giles Parish Church, Birtley, on 3rd September 1749.
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Margery Besford (later Craswell) (1741-)
Margery Besford was the daughter of John Besford and Mary Besford (néeFelton).
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Peter Besford (skipper)
Peter Besford, of 8 Clifford Drive, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft, was the skipper of the Suffolk Kinsman trawler.
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William Besford (1851-1879)
William was the first child of John Besford and Margaret Besford (née Patterson). He was born on 28th November 1851 at Cowpen, Blyth, Northumberland.
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Jack Besford’s Clock
Jack Besford was presented with a grandfather clock by the Ashington Mineworkers Federation when he stood down as president in 1939.