David Besford (1863–1954)
David Besford was born at Cowpen Colliery, where he began work aged 12. His work as a Methodist lay preacher led him to meet his wife.
Cowpen
Cowpen lies on the southern bank of the River Blyth in Northumberland, and is now part of the town of Blyth. The Cowpen North and South pits were opened at the end of the eighteenth century. The name comes from Old Norse and is pronounced coop’n.
See the full article about Cowpen Square.
Mary Besford (née Turnbull) (1865–1951)
Mary Turnbull met David Besford while he was preaching in the street. They married in 1887 and had twelve children, eight of whom survived childhood.
John Besford (1879–1946)
John Besford was the son of Thomas Besford his second wife Isabella Besford (née Oliver). He died in a mining accident at Hartford Colliery.
John Besford (1872–1954)
John Besford was born in Blyth, and worked for the Cowpen Coal Co. for 61 years.
George Robert Besford (1909–1981)
George Robert Besford and his wife Isabella Summers emigrated from the UK to Canada in 1947. The family returned in 1949 and lived in Blyth, Northumberland.
William Besford (1851–1879)
William was born in 1851 at Cowpen, Blyth and worked as a coal miner. In 1877, he married Jane Temple at Morpeth Register Office. The couple had one daughter.
John Besford (1826–1914)
John was born in 1826 at Eshott Heugh. He would have worked as an agricultural labourer from a very early age (5 or 6). He later worked as a coal miner, which he continued until he was at least 74 years old.
Thomas Besford (born 1900)
Thomas Besford married Minnie Dorsett in 1925. Together they ran a chip shop in Blyth.
Thomas Besford (1833–1914)
Thomas Besford worked as a coal miner throughout his life. He was left with four young children when his wife died of smallpox.
Ann Besford (1825–1896)
Ann Besford was working as a servant at Earsdon West Forest Farm north of Morpeth by the time she was 16 years old. She had six sons, five of whom survived to adulthood.