Mary Speed was the sixth child of Robert Speed & Margaret Curry born at Fatfield, & christened May 28th, 1787 at Chester-le-Street.
Mary’s father was a pitman of Fatfield.
Mary married Joseph Harrison on September 17th, 1809 by banns at Chester-le-Street & both were of the parish. A witness at the wedding was Robert Dunn. Joseph was born c1788 at Fatfield.
Sadly Joseph, a waggonway wright, was killed in a gas explosion in 1825 while working at Judith Pit, Fatfield. He was killed on July 3rd & was buried at Chester-le-Street. He was one of 11 men killed in the explosion.
In 1841 Mary was living at Long Row, Fatfield, Harraton & described as independent. With her was son Joseph (15), a waggonwright.
Mary was still living at Long Row in 1851 & was now a lodging house keeper. She had 2 lodgers, a 77 year old Chelsea pensioner, Hastie? Wood, & John Corrigan (20), a labourer. Son Joseph & wife Mary Ann were living at New Acres, Holmside, Durham with baby son Joseph & he was a plate layer. Joseph had married Mary Ann Usher of Mount in 1844 at Chester-le-Street, & they were both minors.
Mary was living on her own at Long Row, Harraton in 1861 & now described as a pauper. Also living in Harraton at Back Row was son Joseph, a banksman at the mine, his wife Mary Ann & their 3 children.
By 1871 Mary was living with her son Joseph (a 47 year old coal miner) & family & listed as a boarder. They were living at Downs New Houses, Hetton-le-Hole, Co Durham.
Mary died the following year & was buried on July 21st, 1872 at St Nicholas, Hetton-le-Hole.
The children of Mary Speed & Joseph Harrison were:
sp.1.6.1.6.1 Matthew Harrison christened October 2nd, 1810 at Chester-le-Street; buried 1821 at Chester-le-Street
sp.1.6.1.6.2 Margaret Harrison christened May 15th, 1814 at Chester-le-Street; died at Fatfield & buried June 7th 1814 at Chester-le-Street
sp.1.6.1.6.3 Robert Harrison christened February 8th, 1818 at Chester-le-Street; died at Fatfield & buried June 2nd, 1826 at Chester-le-Street
sp.1.6.1.6.4 Alice Harrison christened May 18th, 1823 at Chester-le-Street; died at Fatfield & buried March 14th, 1825
sp.1.6.1.6.5 Joseph Harrison christened August 21st, 1825 at Chester-le-Street