Robert Speed was the third child of William Speed & Jane Heaviside christened February 2nd, 1789 at Chester-le-Street, Co Durham.
Robert married Susanna Pattison/Patterson on June 4th, 1815 at Chester-le-Street. Robert was 25 & Susanna was 23 at the time of the wedding, & one of the witnesses was Matthew Soulsby. Matthew was Susanna’s brother-in-law as he had married her sister Jane Pattison on November 4th, 1789. Susanna was christened April 15th, 1792 at Chester-le-Street, the daughter of William & Mary Pattison.
From the christenings of many of their children it is known that Robert worked as a pitman & lived at Chartershaugh, Co Durham. Chartershaugh, which originated as a mining village, gradually became joined to the adjoining village of Fatfield, both of which became included in the township of Harraton.
In 1841 Robert & Susanna were living at Lamesley, Co. Durham & Robert was described as a collier. With them were children Robert (20) also a collier, Mary & William (both listed as 15), Joseph (12), Jane (11) & Susanna (9).
Susanna, aged 58, died at Birtley in 1849 & was buried on October 2nd at Chester-le-Street.
Robert, aged 60, died at Birtley soon after Susanna & was buried on October 11th, 1849 at Chester-le-Street.
The children of Robert Speed & Susanna Pattison were:
sp.1.6.3.3.1 William Speed christened September 8th, 1816 at Chester-le-Street; buried June 3rd, 1818 at Chester-le-Street
sp.1.6.3.3.2 Mary Speed christened September 8th, 1816 at Chester-le-Street; buried February 5th, 1822 at Chester-le-Street
sp.1.6.3.3.3 George Speed christened April 19th, 1818 at Chester-le-Street; buried November 8th, 1828 at Chester-le-Street
sp.1.6.3.3.4 Robert Speed christened August 20th, 1820 at Chester-le-Street; buried November 17th, 1886 at St Mary & St Cuthbert, Chester-le-Street.
sp.1.6.3.3.5 Mary Ann Speed born at Chartershaugh & christened May 18th, 1823 at Chester-le-Street; died March 26th, 1886 at Pelaw & buried March 30th at St Mary & St Cuthbert, Chester-le-Street.
sp.1.6.3.3.6 William Speed born at Chartershaugh & christened July 24th, 1825 at Chester-le-Street; died at Perkinsville & buried August 1st, 1888 at St Mary & St Cuthbert, Chester-le-Street
sp.1.6.3.3.7 Joseph Speed born at Chartershaugh & christened November 11th, 1827 at Chester-le-Street; died July 1901 & buried at Holy Trinity, Pelton
sp.1.6.3.3.8 Jane Speed christened November 8th, 1829 at Chester-le-Street; buried February 19th 1879 at Holy Trinity, Pelton
sp.1.6.3.3.9 Susanna Speed born at Wright’s House & christened September 19th, 1832 at Chester-le-Street; died at New Lambton & buried April 8th, 1871 at St Barnabas, Bournmoor, Co Durham.