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Blyth

Blyth is a port town on the Northumberland coast, 13 miles (21 km) north-east of Newcastle upon Tyne, at the mouth of the River Blyth.

Coal was shipped from the port from the fourteenth century, and three million tons a year were leaving the staiths by 1900. Shipbuilding on the river dates from 1748.

John Besford (1890–1916)

John Besford enlisted as a Private in the Northumberland Hussars and served in France in the First World War.

Margaret Besford (1866-?)

Margaret Besford married Alexander Sanderson in 1890. They had a daughter, Margaret, in 1893, but Alexander died when Margaret was just nine years old.

Edward Besford (1857)

Edward Besford was born on 30th December 1857 at Crofton Mills, Cowpen, Blyth. He only lived for 13 hours.

James Besford (1860)

James was born on 21st August 1860 at Cowpen Lane, Blyth. He died three days later on 23rd August 1860.

John Besford (1859)

John was born on 19th September 1859 at Cowpen Lane, Blyth. He only lived for 15 days.

John Besford (1868–1869)

John was born on 31st May 1868 at Cowpen Colliery, Blyth. He died on 25th July 1869, just short of 14 months old.

Robert Besford (1856)

Robert Besford was born on 14th November 1856 at “Mill, Cowpen”. He died when he was three weeks old.

Cowpen Square

The houses of Cowpen Square were built for the miners of the Cowpen pits: one narrow room and a ladder to the garret, with the inner square as their shared social space.