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Dr Joseph Speed

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Dr Joseph Speed

Birth
Mecklenburg County, Virginia, USA
Death
23 Dec 1847 (aged 73–74)
Caroline, Tompkins County, New York, USA
Burial
Caroline, Tompkins County, New York, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Age: 74 years

Son of John & Sarah (Baird) Speed.

He came to the town of Caroline with his Uncle Henry Speed, who is buried in Caroline Centre Cemetery.

He was a Physician and settled in Tompkins County.

Married Mary Goodloe Harper in 1796.

They were the parents of:
~ Joseph John Speed (1797–1852)
~ Mary Harper Speed (1799–1873)
~ Son (died 1801)
~ Son (born and died ?)
~ Robert Harper Speed (1802–1829)
~ William Patillo Speed (1804–1879)
~ Henry Goode Speed (1807–1842)
~ Son (born and died 1809)
~ Diana Caroline Speed (1811–1842)
~ James Richard Speed (1815–1864)

=============================
Names of the children and the data below from:
Contributor: Linda (46626647) •Sept. 13, 2020


The following obituary of Dr. Joseph Speed was written
by Hon. B. G. Ferris, one of the ablest lawyers of Ithaca.

It was furnished for these memoirs by Miss Sallie P. Speed :
" The announcement of the decease of our fellow-citizen, Dr.
Joseph Speed, at the residence of his son in Baltimore on the 23rd
instant (December, 1847), though not wholly unexpected, is received
with no ordinary emotion. He had, indeed, reached an advanced
age in the journey of life and we could not, in the usual course of
mortality, hope for a much longer sojourn with us, but he belonged
to the generation of great men, and we feel that the world of mind
suffers a void in his absence.

'• Dr. Speed has filled a large space in the estimation and affections
of his widely-extended acquaintance, possessing an intellect acute,
philosophical and commanding, which was continually exerted in
efforts to promote the good of his fellows. He has left an influence
which must long survive his mortal remains.

" Dr. Speed was a native of Virginia, and early in life was married
to a sister of the celebrated Robert Goodloe Harper. On
account of the unhealthiness of the climate of his native State, he
and other Virginia families removed to the town of Caroline, this
county, in 1805, where he continued to reside until his death. For
a time he continued the practice of his profession as a physician, but
his tastes led him into extensive agricultural pursuit and his profession
was eventually laid aside except occasional visits of benevolence.
" His marriage relationship furnishes one of those beautiful
instances of mutual attachment, continuing through a long life and
outliving youth and mere personal attractions, which we read of but
seldom see. This connection was terminated, so far as time is concerned,
by the decease of Mrs. Speed about two years ago, an event
which produced a marked effect upon the survivor, so much so that
an allusion to the subject would often break down the stoicism natural
to a strong; understanding: and melt him to tears.

'• Dr. Speed, at an early period of his life, became an ardent supporter
of that great scheme of benevolence—the colonization of
emancipated slaves—which has resulted in the establishment of a
growing republic on the coast of Africa. Originally a slave-holder
himself, he clearly saw the whole evil of slavery and the necessity
of its earliest practical extinguishment. He likewise entered with
great zeal and efficiency into the temperance movement from its
very commencement. The success of this cause within this State
was mainly owing to his untiring efforts with pen and purse, word
and deed, in connection with comparatively few kindred spirits, who
cordially appreciated each other's views and motives. His essays
and correspondence on the subjects of colonization and temperance
would form a volume of great interest. His thoughts were, however,
by no means confined to these subjects, but embraced a great
variety of topics, and he invariably clothed them in a pleasant and
fascinating garb.

" The subject of this sketch was a gentleman in the true sense of
the term ; dignified in his deportment, he possessed an intuitive
sense of what was due to others, and was keenly indignant at anything
which bordered on meanness or injustice. He possessed
extraordinary powers as a controversialist; fair, honorable and
courteous when his adversary, was worthy of him, but unsparing of
the lash in a case proper for its infliction.
too much severity to allow him to be an orator. He was quick to
detect the use of inappropriate words common to fluent speakers,
and this quality may have discouraged any effort on his part in popular
assemblies. But this severity of taste enabled him to wield a
powerful pen. His style of composition was chaste and polished,
and, as the servant, an instrument of great power.
" He was so perfectly a master of language when committing his
thoughts to paper that he could play with his subject at will. However
dry or abstrusive the subject, he invariably presented it in a
drapery so attractive as to keep up the interest to the end. His
mind was remarkably sociable and communicative. Nothing delighted
him more, when leisure permitted, than to correspond with
particular friends on subjects connected with literary criticisms in a
humorous, playful manner. He kept up with the intelligence of the
age in which he lived and made himself an agreeable and instructive
companion to the young as well as the aged.

" Dr. Speed was warm in his attachments. His friends could not
help loving him. His intercourse with them exhibited all the confiding
tenderness of childhood. His confidence once bestowed could
not easily be shaken, and he took pleasure in showing it was
unbounded. In this respect he united the simplicity of the child to
the wisdom of the sage, and his friends, while basking in the sunshine
of his affection, felt proud of the distinction shown him.

'• Religious subjects were, with him, frequent topics of discourse
and correspondence. Religion was, with him, a rule of life, a system
of good works from good ends. He reposed with confidence
and reverence upon the truths of revelation, and looked with the
calm eye of Christian philosophy on the future.

"He became sensible when he left for the South that the probabilities
were against his return, and he calmly arranged his affairs
and set his house in order preparatory to the coming emergency.
His anticipations have proved too true. He has gone from amongst
us at the age of seventy-four years—a green old age — leaving to us
the richest legacy which a man can leave to his fellows—a great and
good name.

" This rapid and meager sketch is felt by the author to be far
beneath the merits of its subject, but he makes it as an humble
offering to that much-cherished friendship which he hopes will be
renewed beyond the grave."

Source: The Speed Family by Thomas Speed
Age: 74 years

Son of John & Sarah (Baird) Speed.

He came to the town of Caroline with his Uncle Henry Speed, who is buried in Caroline Centre Cemetery.

He was a Physician and settled in Tompkins County.

Married Mary Goodloe Harper in 1796.

They were the parents of:
~ Joseph John Speed (1797–1852)
~ Mary Harper Speed (1799–1873)
~ Son (died 1801)
~ Son (born and died ?)
~ Robert Harper Speed (1802–1829)
~ William Patillo Speed (1804–1879)
~ Henry Goode Speed (1807–1842)
~ Son (born and died 1809)
~ Diana Caroline Speed (1811–1842)
~ James Richard Speed (1815–1864)

=============================
Names of the children and the data below from:
Contributor: Linda (46626647) •Sept. 13, 2020


The following obituary of Dr. Joseph Speed was written
by Hon. B. G. Ferris, one of the ablest lawyers of Ithaca.

It was furnished for these memoirs by Miss Sallie P. Speed :
" The announcement of the decease of our fellow-citizen, Dr.
Joseph Speed, at the residence of his son in Baltimore on the 23rd
instant (December, 1847), though not wholly unexpected, is received
with no ordinary emotion. He had, indeed, reached an advanced
age in the journey of life and we could not, in the usual course of
mortality, hope for a much longer sojourn with us, but he belonged
to the generation of great men, and we feel that the world of mind
suffers a void in his absence.

'• Dr. Speed has filled a large space in the estimation and affections
of his widely-extended acquaintance, possessing an intellect acute,
philosophical and commanding, which was continually exerted in
efforts to promote the good of his fellows. He has left an influence
which must long survive his mortal remains.

" Dr. Speed was a native of Virginia, and early in life was married
to a sister of the celebrated Robert Goodloe Harper. On
account of the unhealthiness of the climate of his native State, he
and other Virginia families removed to the town of Caroline, this
county, in 1805, where he continued to reside until his death. For
a time he continued the practice of his profession as a physician, but
his tastes led him into extensive agricultural pursuit and his profession
was eventually laid aside except occasional visits of benevolence.
" His marriage relationship furnishes one of those beautiful
instances of mutual attachment, continuing through a long life and
outliving youth and mere personal attractions, which we read of but
seldom see. This connection was terminated, so far as time is concerned,
by the decease of Mrs. Speed about two years ago, an event
which produced a marked effect upon the survivor, so much so that
an allusion to the subject would often break down the stoicism natural
to a strong; understanding: and melt him to tears.

'• Dr. Speed, at an early period of his life, became an ardent supporter
of that great scheme of benevolence—the colonization of
emancipated slaves—which has resulted in the establishment of a
growing republic on the coast of Africa. Originally a slave-holder
himself, he clearly saw the whole evil of slavery and the necessity
of its earliest practical extinguishment. He likewise entered with
great zeal and efficiency into the temperance movement from its
very commencement. The success of this cause within this State
was mainly owing to his untiring efforts with pen and purse, word
and deed, in connection with comparatively few kindred spirits, who
cordially appreciated each other's views and motives. His essays
and correspondence on the subjects of colonization and temperance
would form a volume of great interest. His thoughts were, however,
by no means confined to these subjects, but embraced a great
variety of topics, and he invariably clothed them in a pleasant and
fascinating garb.

" The subject of this sketch was a gentleman in the true sense of
the term ; dignified in his deportment, he possessed an intuitive
sense of what was due to others, and was keenly indignant at anything
which bordered on meanness or injustice. He possessed
extraordinary powers as a controversialist; fair, honorable and
courteous when his adversary, was worthy of him, but unsparing of
the lash in a case proper for its infliction.
too much severity to allow him to be an orator. He was quick to
detect the use of inappropriate words common to fluent speakers,
and this quality may have discouraged any effort on his part in popular
assemblies. But this severity of taste enabled him to wield a
powerful pen. His style of composition was chaste and polished,
and, as the servant, an instrument of great power.
" He was so perfectly a master of language when committing his
thoughts to paper that he could play with his subject at will. However
dry or abstrusive the subject, he invariably presented it in a
drapery so attractive as to keep up the interest to the end. His
mind was remarkably sociable and communicative. Nothing delighted
him more, when leisure permitted, than to correspond with
particular friends on subjects connected with literary criticisms in a
humorous, playful manner. He kept up with the intelligence of the
age in which he lived and made himself an agreeable and instructive
companion to the young as well as the aged.

" Dr. Speed was warm in his attachments. His friends could not
help loving him. His intercourse with them exhibited all the confiding
tenderness of childhood. His confidence once bestowed could
not easily be shaken, and he took pleasure in showing it was
unbounded. In this respect he united the simplicity of the child to
the wisdom of the sage, and his friends, while basking in the sunshine
of his affection, felt proud of the distinction shown him.

'• Religious subjects were, with him, frequent topics of discourse
and correspondence. Religion was, with him, a rule of life, a system
of good works from good ends. He reposed with confidence
and reverence upon the truths of revelation, and looked with the
calm eye of Christian philosophy on the future.

"He became sensible when he left for the South that the probabilities
were against his return, and he calmly arranged his affairs
and set his house in order preparatory to the coming emergency.
His anticipations have proved too true. He has gone from amongst
us at the age of seventy-four years—a green old age — leaving to us
the richest legacy which a man can leave to his fellows—a great and
good name.

" This rapid and meager sketch is felt by the author to be far
beneath the merits of its subject, but he makes it as an humble
offering to that much-cherished friendship which he hopes will be
renewed beyond the grave."

Source: The Speed Family by Thomas Speed


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