George Prichard (1842) and his wife Margaret left Bagillt shortly after they were married and moved to Co. Durham.  Their first son David was born in Coxhoe in 1866 and their second Robert in 1868.  It is possible that the couple were persuaded to go to Coxhoe unknowingly as strike breakers.  It was quite common for miners to be imported from Wales, Cornwall and other areas with a promise of good opportunities, only to find that when they arrived the local men were on strike.  We will never know the truth, those who may have known have long since passed on.  We do know that George, Margaret and their two boys were back in Bagillt living with George’s father in 1871.  A daughter Jemima was born there in 1870, so the family could not have been in Coxhoe for much more than four years.

Coxhoe is five miles south/south east of Durham City and was quite rural  in 1821 when it had a population of only 132.  By 1861 due to the opening of extensive colliery workings the population had risen to 4161.  The village also had an Iron Works and a Brick & Tile Manufactory.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning was born in Coxhoe Hall in 1806.  The hall built in 1725 had many owners during its existance and was finally owned by the National Coal Board.  It fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1952.

Coxhoe is where 'Prichard' became 'Pritchard' for our branch of the family.  All our records show the name without the 't' until the birth of Robert (1868).  After that date all our records show the name with the added 't'.