Ralph Speed was the first child of Matthew Speed christened April 3rd, 1670 at Chester-le Street, Co. Durham.
Ralph married Margaret ? They lived at Birtley where a number of their children were born. There are christenings recorded for 6 of their children, but there is believed to be another son, Ralph, who was buried February 18th, 1708 at St Mary & St Cuthbert, Chester-le-Street, but no christening record has been found to date.
Ralph was buried Sept 30th 1716 at Chester-le-Street.
Margaret was buried Dec 18th, 1718 at Chester-le-Street.
The children of Ralph Speed & Margaret ? were:
sp.1.1 Mary Speed christened April 6th 1701 at Chester-le-Street
sp.1.2 Margaret Speed christened January 31st 1703 at Chester-le-Street
sp.1.3 Bartholemew Speed christened Sepember 9th, 1705 at Chester-le-Street; buried Jan 24th 1758 at Chester-le-Street
sp.1.4 Barbara Speed christened January 15th, 1710 at Chester-le-Street; buried March 2nd, 1710 at Chester-le-Street
sp.1.5 John Speed christened January 20th, 1712 at Chester-le-Street
sp.1.6 Jacob Speed christened May 23rd, 1714 at Chester-le-Street; died at Fatfield, buried February 21st, 1789 at Chester-le-Street