Cowpen

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.

Mary Turnbull was born in 1865. She married David Besford (1863–1954) in 1887. The couple had 12 children.

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 was born in Blyth, and worked for the Cowpen Coal Co. for 61 years.

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 was born on at Cowpen, Blyth and worked as a coal miner. In 1877, William married Jane Temple at Morpeth Register Office. The couple had one daughter.

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 married Minnie Dorsett in 1925. Together they ran a chip shop in Blyth.

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 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.