Joseph Speed was the seventh child of Robert Speed & Susanna Pattison born at Chartershaugh & christened November 11th, 1827 at Chester-le-Street, Co Durham.
In 1841 Joseph was living with his parents, 2 brothers & 3 sisters at Lamesley, Co Durham where his father was a collier.
Joseph married Isabella Davison on January 5th, 1851 at Chester-le-Street. Isabella was born at Backworth, Northumberland, & christened February 1st, 1829 at St Bartholemew, Longbenton, the daughter of Ruth & William Davidson, an agricultural labourer.
At the time of the 1851 census Joseph & Isabella were living with Isabella’s parents & 2 of her brothers in Birtley, Co Durham. Joseph was working as a coal miner.
By 1861 Joseph & Isabella were living on their own at Perkinsville, Pelton & Joseph was still a coal miner. They were living next door to Joseph’s older brother Robert & his family. Joseph & Isabella had had 4 children by this time but sadly they all died in infancy.
They were still living in Perkinsville in 1871 where Joseph was still a miner. They now had 3 surviving children – Joseph (9), Susannah (7), both scholars, & John (4).
The family were living at 18 West Row, Perkinsville in 1881 & Joseph continued to be a miner. At home were Susannah, a dress maker, & John, a mason’s apprentice.
In 1891 Joseph was still mining & he & Isabella were living at 7 West Row (Perkinsville), Pelton. Son John was still at home & was now a joiner.
By 1901 Joseph had retired & he & Isabella were now listed at 50 Hylton Terrace, Pelton.
Joseph, aged 73, died in July 1901 & was buried at Holy Trinity, Pelton.
Isabella, aged 76, died at 50 Hylton Terrace, Pelton on October 20th, 1905 & was buried at Holy Trinity, Pelton.
Administration of her estate was granted to son Joseph, station master, & her effects were £141.
The children of Joseph Speed & Isabella Davison were:
sp.1.6.3.3.7.1 Robert Speed born Jan-March 1853 at High Row, Birtley; died Jan-March 1857 at Chester-le-Street
sp.1.6.3.3.7.2 William Speed born July-September 1856 at High Row, Birtley; died April-June 1859 at Perkinsville
sp.1.6.3.3.7.3 Robert Speed born at Perkinsville & christened December 11th, 1858 at Holy Trinity, Pelton; died Oct-December 1858 at Chester-le-Street
sp.1.6.3.3.7.4 Susannah Speed christened November 28th, 1859 at Holy Trinity, Pelton; died Nov-December 1859 at Perkinsville
sp.1.6.3.3.7.5 Joseph Speed born at Perkinsville & christened June 2nd, 1861 at Holy Trinity, Pelton; died January 8th, 1927 & buried Ropery Lane Cemetery, Chester-le-Street
sp.1.6.3.3.7.6 Susannah Speed born at Perkinsville & christened August 19th, 1863 at Holy Trinity, Pelton; died May 1920 & buried at Holy Trinity, Pelton
sp.1.6.3.3.7.7 John Speed born at Perkinsville & christened December 3rd, 1866 at Holy Trinity, Pelton; died June 2nd, 1934 & buried at Holy Trinity, Pelton