Robert Speed was the fourth child of Robert Speed & Susanna Pattison christened August 20th, 1820 at Chester-le-Street, Co Durham.
In 1841 Robert was living with his parents, 2 younger brothers & 3 younger sisters at Lamesley, Co Durham. Sadly his 3 older siblings had died in infancy. Robert & his father were both colliers.
Robert married Ann Hunter in Oct-December 1844 at St Nicholas, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Ann was born c1817 in Northumberland, the daughter of James Hunter.
By 1851 Robert & Ann were living at Birtley, Co Durham & Robert was a miner. They had 3 children at this time – Mary Ann (7), James (5) & Susannah (2). Mary Ann was in fact Mary Ann Hunter born in 1844 in Chester-le-Street, daughter of Ann Hunter.
Ann died aged 39 in Oct-December 1856 at Chester-le-Street soon after giving birth to her sixth child, Jane, who also sadly died.
The children of Robert Speed & Ann Hunter were:
sp.1.6.3.3.4.1 Mary Ann (Hunter) Speed christened September 11th, 1844 at Chester-le-Street; died July-September 1909 at Chester-le-Street
sp.1.6.3.3.4.2 James Hunter Speed christened March 8th, 1846 at Chester-le-Street; died September 19th, 1910 at Team Colliery, Lamesley, Co Durham
sp.1.6.3.3.4.3 Susannah Hunter Speed christened December 12th, 1848 at Chester-le-Street; died Jan-March 1870 at Chester-le-Street
sp.1.6.3.3.4.4 Elizabeth Speed born April-June 1851 at Birtley, Chester-le-Street; died July-September 1851 at Birtley, Chester-le-Street
sp.1.6.3.3.4.5 Elizabeth Jane Speed born April-June 1853 at Chester-le-Street; died July-September 1930 at Gateshead, Co Durham
sp.1.6.3.3.4.6 Jane Speed born July-September 1856 at Chester-le-Street; buried October 14th, 1856 at St John’s, Birtley, Chester-le-Street
Widowed Robert was living at Perkinsville, Pelton, Co Durham in 1861 & with him were daughter Mary Ann, son James Hunter, a coal miner like his father, Susannah & another daughter, Elizabeth aged 9. Living next door was his younger brother Joseph & his wife Isabella.
Robert married again on September 14th, 1867 at St Cuthbert’s, Durham. His second wife was Isabella Learmouth, a widow who had previously been married to Joseph Learmouth, a miner. In 1861 Isabella & Joseph were also living in Perkinsville with their 2 sons, Joseph & John, but sadly father Joseph died later that year. Isabella was christened Isabella Heslop on August 14th, 1836 at West Rainton, Co Durham, the daughter of John & Elizabeth Heslop.
Daughter Susannah married Thomas Morris, an engine fitter, on February 18th, 1867 at Chester-le-Street. Sadly Susannah died in 1870 leaving widowed Thomas with a young daughter, Ann.
In 1871 Robert & Isabella were living at 17 Chester South Moor, Chester-le-Street. With them were Robert’s daughter Elizabeth, an agricultural labourer, Isabella’s sons Joseph (15), a coal miner, & John (13), a coal miner trapper. There were 2 sons listed with Robert & Isabella - Robert (6) & William (3). Little Robert however is thought to be the son of Robert & Ann’s daughter, Mary Ann, as there is a record for Robert Speed born at Perkinsville, & christened on August 17th, 1864 at Holy Trinity, Pelton, son of Mary Ann Speed, single woman.
Daughter Mary Ann married Henry Haddon, a coal miner, on September 23rd, 1869 at Chester-le-Street.
Daughter Elizabeth married William Hurworth, a coal miner, on August 9th, 1873 at Chester-le-Street.
In 1881 Robert & Isabella were living at Chester Moor, Chester-le-Street & Robert was still a miner. With them were Isabella’s son Joseph Learmouth (25), a coal miner, Robert Speed (17), a clerk, William Speed (12) & Isabella Speed (5).
Robert, aged 66, was buried on November 17th, 1886 at St Mary & St Cuthbert, Chester-le-Street.
By 1891 widowed Isabella was living at Front St, Chester-le-Street & with her was son William, a grocer’s assistant.
Isabella & son William were still at Front St in 1901, now number 176. William was now a manager of a grocery.
Isabella died aged 72 & was buried on February 22nd, 1909 at Chester-le-Street.
The children of Robert Speed & Isabella Learmouth (nee Heslop) were:
sp.1.6.3.3.4.7 William Speed born April 13th, 1868 at Perkinsville & christened May 6th, 1868 at Holy Trinity, Pelton; died July-September 1956 at Sunderland
sp.1.6.3.3.4.8 Isabella Speed christened April 12th, 1876 at Chester-le-Street; died May 19th & buried May 21st, 1890 at St Mary & St Cuthbert, Chester-le-Street