Nat Gould

John Beardmore 1804-1892

John Beardmore was born at Alstonefield in Staffordshire in 1804, the son of George Beardmore 1778-1859 and his wife née Elizabeth Elliot 1782-1870. He was baptised there on 5 February 1804.

He married Mary Gibbs at Alstonefield on 3 January 1839 (1). She was born in 1802, the daughter of James Gibbs. They lived at the Load Farm in Alstonefield (2).

They had the following children, all baptised at Alstonefield:

Hannah Beardmore. She was born in 1839, and baptised on 8 December 1839. She died on 1 January 1853.

Elizabeth Beardmore. She was born in 1841, and baptised on 10 June 1841.

John Beardmore. He was born in 1843, and baptised on 23 April 1843. He married Elizabeth Bestwick at Alstonefield on 2 January 1866. She was born in 1845, the daughter of John Bestwick. They lived at the Load House in Alstonefield. He died in 1880 and was buried at Alstonefield.

Their father John Beardmore died on 19 January 1892 aged 87 years, and was buried at Alstonefield where there is a gravestone inscribed to his memory and that of his wife. His Will was proved on 24 November 1892 (3).

His widow Mary Beardmore née Gibbs predeceased him on 18 February 1879 aged 76 years, and was buried at Alstonefield.

(1) "MARRIAGES ... Lately, at Alstonefield, Mr. John Beardmore, of the Load Farm, to Miss Gibbs, of the former place." Staffordshire Gazette and County Standard 13 March 1839.
(2) The Beresford family had lived at the Load Farm for as long as could be remembered. "Mr. Anthony Beresford, a respectable yeoman, who died at Alstonfield on the 3rd of last month, was born at Load Farm on the 8th of February, I772 and baptized at Alstonfield on the 11th of the same month, so that he died at the age of 102 years and twenty-three days. There is no room for mistake as to identity, no other family of the same name having ever occupied Load Farm, and there being no record of any other Anthony Beresford, besides the fact that his age is fixed by those of his elder and younger sisters, which are known. This undoubted centenarian suffered no loss of his powers, having executed legal documents since he reached the age of 100, and it is remarkable that as long ago as 1819 he was shot in the face and entirely deprived of sight." The Tablet 4 April 1874. Uncertainty had arisen as to whether anyone then had reached the age of 100 years.
(3) "BEARDMORE John of Load House Alstonfield Staffordshire Gentleman died 19 January 1892 Probate Lichfield 24 November to Thomas Beardmore farmer and Ralph Beardmore gentleman Effects £377 0s 3d." England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1858-1966 (1892) page 166.