Robert Speed Pallister [p.1.6.3.1.1.7.7]

Robert Speed Pallister was the seventh child of John McCree Pallister & Barbara Hall born October 18th, 1886 at 14 Gibson St, Ryhope & christened December 15th, 1886 at the Wesley Methodist Chapel, Ryhope Colliery.

Entry of Robert Speed's baptism in Ryhope Colliery Chapel records

Robert (known as Bob) was living at home in 1891 at Gibson Terrace, Ryhope with his parents & 3 brothers & 3 sisters. His father John was employed as an engineman at the colliery.

Bob continued to live at Gibson Terr & in the 1901 census he was described as a general labourer. His brother Ralph, a mason labourer was still at home as were his sisters Ellen, Margaret (who was blind), & Dorothy & young brother Robert (10).

On March 2nd, 1902 Bob was admitted into the Church of England when he was baptised at St Paul’s, Ryhope.

Bob married Sarah Ann Dimmock on Christmas Eve, 1907, at St Paul’s, Ryhope, Co Durham. Bob was a brick layer at the time of the wedding & the address of both was given as 29 Tunstall St, Ryhope. Sarah was born August 19th 1886 at Castleford, Yorks, the daughter of Eliza Ellis & John Dimmock, a miner. Witnesses at the wedding were John George Reynoldson & Emma Dimmock, Sarah Ann’s older sister.

Robert & Sarah Ann's marriage certificate

At the time of the 1911 Bob & Sarah Ann were living with Sarah Ann’s parents, John & Eliza Dimmock, at 29 Tunstall St, Ryhope. Bob was a bricklayer above ground at the colliery & he & Sarah Ann had a 4 month old son, John McCree Pallister. John was in fact their second child as their first baby, Emma, died in infancy in 1909. Also living with them was Mary Dimmock, aged 20, Sarah Ann’s sister.

Sarah Ann & Bob & their sons, John McCree & Robert Speed, lived with John & Eliza Dimmock at Tunstall St. from the time of their marriage in 1907 until about 1920.

In 1920 the Electoral Register of Ryhope Colliery shows that Robert & Sarah Ann were living at 79 Ryhope St South & living with them was William Speed Pallister who had been at that address in 1919. Robert & Sarah Ann continued to live at Ryhope St South & at the time of the birth of their daughter Vera in 1928 their address was 82 Ryhope St South.

The electoral registers of 1929/30 show Robert & Sarah still at the same address & with them were John & Eliza Dimmock, Sarah Ann’ parents. By 1934 Bob & Sarah Ann had moved to 13 West View, Ryhope & Eliza Dimmock was still with them, which was their home until 1945. By 1947 Bob & Sarah Ann were living at 4 Wraith Terrace, Ryhope where they lived for a number of years.

Left: Robert Speed, Sarah Ann, daughter Vera & son John McCree c1934. Right: Bob & Sarah at Wraith Terr with St Paul's Junior School in background

Sarah Ann died on October 21st, 1949, aged 63 years, at Shotley Bridge Hospital. She was cremated.

Bob continued to live at 4 Wraith Terrace which was also the home of daughter Vera & husband Dennis Fishwick who took care of Bob in his latter years following the death of Sarah Ann. From Wraith Terrace they moved to Esdale, Ryhope where Bob lived until his death.

Bob died at Ryhope in Jan-March 1970, aged 84 years.

The children of Sarah Ann Dimmock & Robert Speed Pallister were:

p.1.6.3.1.1.7.7.1 Emma Pallister born December 11th, 1909 at 29 Tunstall St, Ryhope; died December 1909 at Ryhope

p.1.6.3.1.1.7.7.2 John McCree Pallister born December 14th, 1910 at 29 Tunstall St, Ryhope & christened January 4th 1911 at St Paul’s, Ryhope, died July 17th, 1984 at 43 Wraith Terrace, Ryhope, Co. Durham
p.1.6.3.1.1.7.7.3 Robert Speed Pallister born February 21st, 1914 at 29 Tunstall St, Ryhope & christened March 18th, 1914 at St Paul’s, Ryhope, died 1995 at Ryhope, Co. Durham

1.6.3.1.1.7.7.4 Edna Mary Pallister born February 5th, 1918 at 29 Tunstall Street, Ryhope, died February-March 1918 at Ryhope
p.1.6.3.1.1.7.7.5 Vera Pallister born August 23rd, 1928 at 82 Ryhope St, Ryhope & christened September 12th, 1928 at St Paul’s, Ryhope, Co Durham; died May 7th, 2014 at Sunderland