Joseph Speed was the second child of Jacob Speed & Margaret Gills born at Fatfield on August 15th, 1810 & christened January 6th, 1811 at Chester-le-Street, Co Durham.
On September 15th, 1833 Joseph married Elizabeth Dodds at the chapelry of Hetton-le-Hole. Witnesses at the wedding were John Speed & George Wilkie (warden). Elizabeth was christened September 2nd, 1810 at South Shields, the daughter of Ann Gibson & Joseph Dodds.
In 1841 Joseph, a coal miner, & his wife Elizabeth were living next door to Joseph’s parents at Easington Lane, Hetton-le-Hole. They had 4 children at this time – Agnes (7), Robert (5), John (3) & Margaret (1).
By 1851 Joseph & Elizabeth were living at Brick Garth, Hetton-le-Hole & Joseph was still a miner. At home were Ann (Agnes in last census), Robert, a coal miner, John, a scholar, Jacob (8) & Mary (2).
There is a marriage for Ann Speed to Edward Charlton on January 11th, 1853 at Pittington. Ann & Edward had 2 daughters – Margaret Ann in 1853 & Mary Ann in 1856. Sadly it seems that Ann died soon after the birth of the second child as there is a burial for Ann Charlton, aged 22, on August 31st, 1856 at Hetton-le-Hole.
The family were still at Brick Garth in 1861 & Joseph continued to work as a coal miner. Only 3 children were still at home – John, now a cabinetmaker, Jacob, a coal miner & Mary J, a scholar. Also with the family was a 7 year old granddaughter, Elizabeth Charlton.
Elizabeth, aged 53, died at Brick Garth in 1865 & was buried on April 12th at St Nicholas, Hetton-le-Hole.
Widowed Joseph & son Jacob, both coal miners, were living in Brick Garth in 1871 & granddaughter Elizabeth was still with them.
Son Jacob married Isabella Hall (nee Jones) in 1875 at Christ Church, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Jacob became an innkeeper in Hetton-le-Hole.
Listed as 80 years old, Joseph was living on his own by 1881 still at the same address. He was described as an annuitant.
By 1891 Joseph was living with widowed daughter-in-law Isabella Speed, inn keeper, & her family at the Commercial Inn, Front St, Hetton-le-Hole. He was listed as a retired miner.
Joseph, aged 87, died in July-September 1897 at Houghton-le-Spring.
The children of Joseph Speed & Elizabeth Dodds were:
sp.1.6.1.5.2.1 Ann Speed born at Easington Lane & christened November 22nd, 1833 at Hetton-le-Hole; buried August 31st, 1856 at Hetton-le-Hole
sp.1.6.1.5.2.2 Robert Speed christened July 26th, 1835 at Hetton-le-Hole; died Oct-December 1913 at Houghton-le-Spring
sp.1.6.1.5.2.3 John Speed christened December 20th, 1837 at Hetton-le-Hole; died July-September 1906 in Durham
sp.1.6.1.5.2.4 Joseph Speed christened August 28th, 1839 at Hetton-le-Hole; buried May 16th, 1840 at St Nicholas, Hetton-le-Hole
sp.1.6.1.5.2.5 Margaret Speed born April-June 1841 at Hetton-le-Hole; buried December 29th, 1849 at St Nicholas, Hetton-le-Hole
sp.1.6.1.5.2.6 Jacob Speed born July-September 1843 at Hetton-le-Hole; died Oct-December 1890 at Hetton-le-Hole
sp.1.6.1.5.2.7 Mary Speed born April-June 1846 at Hetton-le-Hole; buried April 4th, 1848 at St Nicholas, Hetton-le-Hole
sp.1.6.1.5.2.8 Mary Jane Speed born July-September 1848 at Hetton-le-Hole; buried January 24th, 1863 at St Nicholas, Hetton-le-Hole