Thomas Elliott Speed was the second child of James Hunter Speed & Mary Elliott born August 4th, 1868 at Houghton-le-Spring, Co Durham.
In 1871 Thomas, his parents & half-sister Ann were living at Perkinsville, Pelton, Co Durham where his father was a miner.
Thomas had 2 more brothers & 2 more sisters by 1881 & he was working as a mason’s labourer. They were living at No. 3 Row, Ouston, Co Durham.
The family had moved to Team Colliery, Lamesley by 1891 & Thomas was now working as a coal miner like his father.
Thomas married Elizabeth Jane Toward in April-June 1891 at Chester-le-Street. Elizabeth was born June 29th, 1862 at Wrekenton, & christened September 14th, 1862 at Gateshead, Co Durham, the daughter of Elizabeth Ann Richardson & George Toward, a coal miner.
In 1901 Thomas & Elizabeth were living at 11 Ravensworth Terrace, Lamesely & he was described as a back overman in the coal mine. They had 3 children by this time – Mary I (8), George T (7) & Elizabeth A (4).
The family were still at the same address in 1911 & Thomas had the same occupation. At home were son George Toward, a grocer’s assistant, & daughter Elizabeth Ann.
Son George enlisted with the Durham Light Infantry in 1915 & served as part of the Expeditionary Force to France in July 1916. However in July 1917 he was discharged as being no longer physically fit for war service due to wounds.
Daughter Mary married Harold Staplin, a grocer & provision dealer, in July-September 1932 at Chester-le-Street.
The 1939 register shows Thomas & Elizabeth continuing to live at 11 Ravensworth Terr but the head of the household was Henry Grundy, a colliery overman, who was married to daughter Elizabeth. Elizabeth & Henry had 2 children at this time. Thomas was now retired.
Elizabeth, aged 79, died on July 11th, 1941 in in Lamesley & was buried at St Andrews, Lamesley.
Thomas, aged 83, died on January 27th, 1953 in Lamesley & was buried at St Andrews, Lamesley.
The children of Thomas Elliott Speed & Elizabeth Jane Toward were:
sp.1.6.3.3.4.2.2.1 Mary Isabella Speed born May 4th, 1892 at Lamesley; cremated February 26th, 1982 at Durham
sp.1.6.3.3.4.2.2.2 George Toward Speed born July-September 1893 at Lamesley; died October 24th, 1924 at Ravensworth Terrace, Lamesley & buried at St Andrews, Lamesley
sp.1.6.3.3.4.2.2.3 Elizabeth Ann Speed born February 1st, 1897 at Lamesley; cremated April 20th, 1978 at Durham