John Speed was the seventh child of Joseph Speed & Isabella Davison born at Perkinsville & christened December 3rd, 1866 at Holy Trinity, Pelton, Co Durham.
In 1871 John, his parents & brother & sister were living at Perkinsville, Pelton where his father was a miner.
John’s family had moved to 18 West Row, Perkinsville by 1881 & he was working as a mason’s apprentice.
John was still living at home in 1891 at West Row & was now working as a joiner.
In April-June 1893 John married Jane Ann Watt at Gateshead, Co Durham. Jane was born April 13th, 1867 at Elswick, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the daughter of Jane & Joseph Watt, a joiner & cartwright.
In 1901 John & Jane (known as Ann) were living at 7 A Street, Pelton & John was working as a joiner at the colliery. They had 3 children at this time – Isabella (7), Joseph C (5) & Robert (2).
The family were still living at A Street in 1911, now #172, John continued to work as a colliery joiner. At home were Isabella, a milliner, Joseph Charles, an apprentice colliery joiner, Robert, John (9) & William (7), all at school. It was noted on the census that Jane had had 6 children, one of whom had died.
Son Joseph Charles served as a gunner with the Royal Horse Artillery & Royal Field Artillery during WW1 & was sadly killed in action on July 17th, 1918. He is buried at Houchin British Cemetery, France.
John of 9 Wash Houses, Birtley died on June 2nd, 1934 & was buried at Holy Trinity, Pelton. Probate of his estate was granted to widow Jane & his effects were £15.18s.11d.
At the time of the 1939 register widowed Jane was living with son Robert & his wife Florence & family at 9 Wash Houses, Birtley, Chester-le-Street.
Jane Ann, of 9 Wash Houses, Birtley, Co Durham, died on November 27th, 1948 at the Relton Hospital, Chester-le-Street. She was buried at Holy Trinity, Pelton & probate was granted to Thomas Melville, cooperative secretary & her effects were £1,094.10s.1.d.
The children of John Speed & Jane Ann Watt were:
sp.1.6.3.3.7.7.1 Isabella Speed christened October 22nd, 1893 at Holy Trinity, Pelton
sp.1.6.3.3.7.7.2 Joseph Charles Speed christened December 8th, 1895 at Holy Trinity, Pelton; died July 17th, 1918 in France
sp.1.6.3.3.7.7.3 Robert Speed christened May 19th, 1898 at Holy Trinity, Pelton; died Jan-March 1979 in Gateshead, Co. Durham
sp.1.6.3.3.7.7.4 John Speed christened May 29th, 1901 at Holy Trinity, Pelton
sp.1.6.3.3.7.7.5 William Speed christened September 30th, 1903 at Holy Trinity, Pelton; died Jan-March 1976 in Durham North
sp.1.6.3.3.7.7.6 Jane Ann Speed born Oct-December 1907 at Pelton; died Oct-December 1907 at Pelton