Mary Ann Speed was the fifth child of Robert Speed & Susanna Pattison born at Chartershaugh & christened May 18th, 1823 at Chester-le-Street, Co Durham.
In 1841 Mary was living with her parents, 4 brothers & 2 sisters at Lamesley, Co Durham where her father was a collier.
On June 16th, 1844 Mary married Mark Leathard at Gateshead. Mark was born c1823 in Corbridge, Northumberland, the son of Elizabeth Morris & Robert Leathard, an agricultural labourer.
Mary & Mark were living at Pelton in 1851 where Mark was a brakeman. They had a baby daughter, Susan Ann, who was 6 months old.
In 1861 Mary & Mark were living at South Pelaw Colliery, Pelton, Co Durham & Mark was an engineman. Children at home were Robert (15), a joiner, Elizabeth (8), Surtees (5) & Mary Ann (2). Also living with them was Mary’s brother William, also an engineman.
Sadly Mark, aged 45, died on April 4th, 1868 as the result of a boiler explosion while working at South Pelaw colliery. Mark, a brakesman, was putting coals on the fire at the time & was killed immediately. He was buried on April 7th at Chester-le-Street.
Widowed Mary was living at South Pelaw Cottages in 1871 & with her were daughters Elizabeth & Mary Ann, son Surtees, a blacksmith, & another son Robert (8). Her brother William was still living with her & described as a colliery engineman.
Daughter Elizabeth married George Moor, a fitter, in 1876 at Gateshead. In 1891 Elizabeth’s brother Robert Leathard was living with her & her family at Jubilee Terrace, Chester-le-Street.
Daughter Mary Ann married Alexander Cowan, colliery gas stoker, on February 2nd, 1878 at St Nicholas, Newcaste-upon-Tyne. They lived in Lamesley & were to have 9 children, 8 of whom survived, before Alexander’s death in 1907.
Mary was still living at Pelaw in 1881 & her brother was still living with her. Two sons were at home - Surtees, still a blacksmith, & Robert, a shoemaker’s apprentice.
Mary aged 63 died on March 26th, 1886 at Pelaw & was buried on March 30th at Chester-le-Street.
Son Surtees married Isabella Kell (nee Potts) in 1887 in Chester-le-Street.
Son Robert had not married by 1911 & was living in South Shields & working as a boot & shoe maker.
The children of Mary Ann Speed & Mark Leathard were:
sp.1.6.3.3.5.1 Robert Leathard born April-June 1845 at Chesterl-le-Street; died February 18th, 1863 at Pelaw Colliery & buried February 22nd, 1863 at St Mary & St Cuthbert, Chester-le-Street
sp.1.6.3.3.5.2 Susan Ann Leathard christened December 11th, 1850; died at Pelaw & buried January 25th, 1852 at Chester-le-Street
sp.1.6.3.3.5.3 Elizabeth Ann Leathard christened March 9th, 1853 at Chester-le-Street
sp.1.6.3.3.5.4 Surtees Leathard christened December 30th, 1855 at Chester-le-Street; died November 3rd, 1931 at 12 Dunsaney Terrace, Pelton Fell, Chester-le-Street
sp.1.6.3.3.5.5 Mary Ann Leathard christened July 14th, 1858 at Chester-le-Street
sp.1.6.3.3.5.6 Jane Leathard christened May 22nd, 1861 at Chester-le-Street; died at Pelaw & buried January 5th, 1862 at Chester-le-Street
sp.1.6.3.3.5.7 Robert Leathard christened April 22nd, 1863 at Chester-le-Street