Nat Gould

John Beardmore 1843-1880

John Beardmore was born at Alstonefield in Staffordshire in 1843, the son of John Beardmore 1804-1892 and his wife née Mary Gibbs 1802-1879. He was baptised there on 23 April 1843.

He married Elizabeth Bestwick at Alstonefield on 2 January 1866. She was born in 1840, the daughter of John Bestwick 1812-1884 and his wife nee Lucy Shaw.

They lived at the Load House in Alstonefield, home of the Beresford family for many generations, and had the following children, all born at Alstonefield:

James Lee Beardmore. He was born in 1867, and was baptised at Alstonefield on 20 October 1867.

William Gibbs Beardmore. He was born in 1869, and was baptised at Alstonefield on 7 November 1869.

Mary Elizabeth Beardmore. She was born on 20 September 1871, and was baptised on 29 December 1871.

Hannah Beardmore. She was born on 19 February 1874, and was baptised on 29 March 1874.

John Thomas Beardmore. He was born on 22 November 1876, and was baptised on 27 December 1876. He died on 19 May 1879 aged two years and six months, and was buried at Alstonefield.

Ralph Beardmore. He was born on 18 August 1878, and was baptised on 2 October 1878.

Their father John Beardmore died on 25 June 1880 aged 37 years, and was buried at Alstonefield.

His widow continued farming at Load House. When the Census was taken in 1881 her widowed father-in-law John Beardmore was also living with the family.

Elizabeth Beardmore née Bestwick died on 7 June 1889 aged 49 years, and was buried at Alstonefield, where there is a gravestone inscribed to her memory and that of her husband and their infant son John Thomas Beardmore 1876-1879. Her Will was proved on 22 February 1890 (1).

(1) "BEARDMORE Elizabeth. 22 February. The Will of Elizabeth Beardmore late of Load House Alstonfield Staffordshire Widow who died 7 June 1889 at Load House was proved at Lichfield by Ralph Beardmore of Stanshope Hall in the Parish of Alstonfield Gentleman and Thomas Beardmore the Younger of Wetton in the said County Farmer the Executors. Personal Estate £342 13s 6d." England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1858-1966 (1890) page 435.