Notes "Born Jan 25, 1874 in east end London England, the son of John Besley, a blacksmith, and the former Mary Aldrich.  He had a sister Charlotte who died age 19 in London England. His father died when he was five years old and his mother sent him to Canada as one of Dr Barnardo's children. He was sent to a Barnardo Home in Hamilton for a few years, then to a farm near Athens (steacy?). He married Jane Robeson on March 2,1898. He farmed at Elbe for a few years until he suffered a back injury. 4 daughters were born at Elbe. He went to Haileybury looking for work; there he became a stationary engineer in mining, which he worked at for the rest of his life. My father Alexander was born after they moved to Haileybury. John died may 19, 1950 and is buried at south porcupine. As you know, he leaves many descendants in the Athens area, and in Hamilton as well. I have been trying to the original History of Hard Island by Mrs. Etta Eaton. My sister Margaret has been 
 looking in the township hall; the people that work there have never heard of it. I have Harry Paintings version but he embellished to make a good story. I was born at the "House of Memories" at the end of the Hard Island Road. If you have a copy will you please let me know. Thank you, Arnold Besley 613-342-1079" 
 
John was the son of Mary Ann Aldrich and John Besley. His sister was named Charlotte.  
 
In 1881 John was with his mom (shown as a 'needlewoman') and sister Charlotte (Char is mentioned in the obit) in 1881 in London, his dad had already died. they lived in an incredibly poor part of London st Giles in the fields, needleworkers were poorly paid, and there were hundreds competing for few jobs. so sad. After his mother's death, John was sent to Canada. (his sister Charlotte Elizabeth Besley stayed in London and sadly died aged 20) 
 
London, England, Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921 about Mary Ann Aldrich 
Name:Mary Ann Aldrich 
Spouse Name:John Besley 
Record Type:Marriage 
Event Date:6 Dec 1868 
Parish:Lambeth St John the Evangelist 
Borough:Lambeth 
Father Name:Alfred Aldrich 
Spouse Father Name:John Besley 
 
1891 Census of Canada about John Besley 
Name:John Besley 
Gender:Male 
Marital Status:Single 
Age:18 
Birth Year:abt 1873 
Birthplace:England 
Relation to Head of House:Domestic 
Religion:Methodist 
French Canadian:No 
Father's Birth Place:England 
Mother's Birth Place:England 
Province:Ontario 
District Number:86 
District:Leeds South 
Subdistrict:Yonge Rear and Escott Rear 
Neighbors:View others on page   
Household Members:Name 
Age 
Elinor Earl 47 
Morley Earl 22 
Alexine Earl 23 
William Earl 16 
Essie Earl 8 
John Besley 18   
 
John married in 1898 to Jane Robeson of Yonge, Ontario, they married in Leeds, inexplicably he gives his parents as Edward (it was john) and Charlotte E Aldridge Besley (it was Mary Ann Margaret Aldrich Besley) 
 
in 1901, john and jane were farming at glen elbe ontario, about 5km from athens, by then they had two daughters 
1901 Census of Canada about John H Besley 
Name:John H Besley 
Gender:Male 
Marital Status:Married 
Age:27 
Birth Day & Month:25 Jan 
Birth Year:1874 
Birthplace:England 
Relation to Head of House:Head 
Immigration Year:1884 
Racial or Tribal Origin:English 
Nationality:Canad (Canadian) 
Religion:Methodist 
Occupation:Farmer 
Province:Ontario 
District:Leeds (south/sud) 
District Number:83 
Sub-District:Yonge and Escott (Rear) 
Sub-District Number:J-1 
Neighbors:View others on page   
Household Members:Name 
Age 
John H Besley 27 
Jane Besley 25 
Martha E Besley 2 
Bertha L Besley 5 Mt  
 
by 1911 they'd moved to haileybury and had four daughters and a son...and John is still shown as a farmer. 
1911 Census of Canada about John Besley 
Name:John Besley 
Gender:Male 
Marital Status:Married 
Age:37 
Birth Date:Jan 1874 
Birthplace:England 
Relation to Head of House:Head 
Spouse's Name:Jane Besley 
Immigration Year:1897 
Tribal:English 
Province:Ontario 
District:Nipissing 
District Number:99 
Sub-District:Haileyburg 
Sub-District Number:99 
Place of Habitation:Haileyburg 
Neighbors:View others on page   
Household Members:Name 
Age 
John Besley 37 
Jane Besley 35 
Margaret Besley 12 
Bertha Besley 10 
Cora Besley 7 
Mary Besley 5 
Alex Besley 1 
Thos Mc Evans 27 
Lilian Mc Evans 21   
 
John died may 19, 1950 and is buried at South Porcupine. 
 
Transcribed/researched by Maureen Vollum  
 Contributors Created : 2013-09-05 15:36:21 / From original database Last Updated : 2013-09-05 15:37:18 /  
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