Family Tree / Genealogy / Pedrigree of Thomas Speake.   composer Gerrit Speek       Copyright ©

Why this tree? At about 1990 I started to research the familytree of my own surname Speek (oldest discovered sofar is a marriage in 1685). Soon I discovered that there are more families with that surname, not related to eachother. One of them is originated in Estonia (with descendants in the USA). And there are several people in the USA with surname 'Speek' not connected to whatever family. Google (lots of...) and emails produced the family tree presented here. 'Speak', 'Speake' and 'Speaks' are the surnames of the oldest people in this tree. Google on those surnames and you have fun (or a headache) for many weeks. Thomas Speake [1633 (Lancashire, England) - 1681] and his wife Elizabeth Bowling [1635 (Chorley, Lancashire, England) - bft.1692] emigrated to the USA in about 1660 and they are the first in the USA with this surname. They settled in Charles County, Maryland. Take a look at speakefamilyhistory.org for the English origin, and at speakfamily.wordpress.com for the USA part, and at speakesfamilyassociaton.org for the USA part. You will be surprised (sorry: very surprised) for how many years and how many historical research has been done to this family. The descendants of Charles Hilary Speek (1848-?, databasenr.6001) have the surname 'Speek'.

Privacy protection.  In this familytree is privacy protection implemented. Dates of birth are only presented if older than 100 years, dates concerning the marriage will be published if older than 75 years. All data off deceased people are published, if the marriagepartner still is alive than the marriagedate is not mentionend. Actual postal address, telephone and e-mail will not be present in this tree.

Accountability / sources . This publication is, among other things, mostly composed of: ancestry,  find a grave,  billion graves,  family search,  familytree now,  colonial-settlers-md-va,  usgennet,  wikitree,  Roberta Estes The Speak(e)(s) family in the USA contains several thousands of people, so it will take a while (if ever...) before this pedigree will have a more or less 'grownup' look.

Source are present with this word and in this color. This can be anything, eg. registrations in the church, baptism, marriage and burial registers, registrations in the municipal marital status (birth, marriage and death certificates), Census of the USA, newspaper, photos, anectodes, etc. In short, any information to 'dress up' this family tree.

Notation of the surname  Don't get confused by different notations of the surname. Speak, Speake, Speakes, Speakes, it's all present in this family.

Improvements and additions are very welcome and will be implemented a.s.a.p.: Gerrit Speek. Last change to this family tree:  October 26, 2018.

Descendants of Thomas SPEAKE

(Speak, Thomas, St. Mary's County, -- -- --; 6th Aug., 1681.
To wife Eliza:, all lands during widowhood.
To son John, sd. lands at marriage or death of wife afsd.
Ex. Brother-in-law James Bouring, who is to care for other child or testator.
Test: Richd. Edelen, Thos. Sickes. MCW 2. 160.
===
Thomas Speake 8.256 I SM ú10.12.3 Aug 15 1681
Appraisers: Robert Guine, Francis Groves,
===
Thomas Speake 8.274 A SM #10123 #12061 Oct 12 [1682]
Payments to: Mr. Richard Hobart, Dr. Hodgeson, ------ Maddox, James Bowling, Dennis Haskelong, Thomas Marshall, John Jarvis, Samuell Dobson.
Executor: James Bowling.)

(Will SPEAKE, THOMAS, Charles Co. 6 Oct. 1766; 23 Nov, 1766
To granddaus. Eleanor and Elizabeth Young and Sarah Ward, 1 s. sterl.
To dau. Sarah Stone, same.
To grandson Alexr. Smith Hawings Speake, 1 slave girl and 2 slave boys,& some furniture and cattle.
To granddau. Cordalya Speake, some slaves.
To granddau. Eleanor Anne Speake, real estate.
Ex: Son John Speake,
Wit: John Speake, Burditt Hamilton, Hezekiah Speake. 35.49
===
Thomas Speake 5.55 D CH ú179.12.0 Jun 13 1767
Legatees: Eleanor Young (granddaughter), Elisabeth Young (granddaughter), Sarah Ward (granddaughter), Sarah Stone (daughter), Alexander Smith Hawkins Speake (grandson), Cordelia Speake (granddaughter), Eleanor Ann Speake (granddaughter).
Residue to: John (son).
Executrix: Jane Moore, wife of Mathew Moore.)

(Charles County Maryland Will Book AI-10, 1788-1791; Page 66.
Elizabeth Speake's Will.
I, Elizabeth [Speake] of CC, am sick & infirm of body, but of sound & perfect sense & memory, and to avoid controversies or disputes after my death, I make this, my Will.
To my granddaughter Amelia Speake - a Negro girl called Luce, and her increase, to be put in Amelia's possession when she arrives at age 16.
To my granddaughter Elizabeth Speake - a Negro girl called Meriah, and her increase, to be put in her possession when she arrives at age 16.
To my grandson Alexander Smith Speake (after the death of his mother Cordelia SpeakeF the use of a Negro girl called Sarah; her increase is to be equally divided between my sd grandson Alexander & my granddaughters Amelia & Elizabeth Speake (also after the death of their mother Cordelia Speake).
To my daughter Cordelia Speake - the use of afd Negro Sarah
and her increase, during my daughter's natural life.
Also a Negro girl called Winnifred & her increase, forever.
To my daughter eleoner Ann Speake - 1 bed and furniture, a Negro wench called Cate, a Negro boy called Len, a ditto called Allen, and a Negro girl called Ann, and their increase.
I want my son Thomas John Speake to pay my daughter Eleanor Anne Speake, 8 ú common current money per year until she marries, and afterwards, sd payment to cease.
To my son Thomas John Speake - the rest of my estate, both real and personal.
I want Capt. Joseph Speake and my daughter Eleoner Ann Speake to pay one third of the debt Mr. John Robertson recovers of me by law, which he has sued me for, & also the same proportion of all costs arising from sd suit, and the balance of all other debts to be paid by my son Thus John Speake, including the remaining two thirds of the debt costs recovered by Mr. John Robertson.
Executors: Capt. Joseph Speake & my son Thos John Speake. Signed Oct 1, 1788 - Elizabeth S. [sic]. Wit - Lawson Speake, William Garner.
Probated on Apr 14, 1789 by executor Thomas John Speake and by the oath of witness Lawson Speake.)

(Will of Richard Speak; probated May 30, 1749
To son Thomas Speake, 100 acres that I bought of my bro. John, being pt. of "McKeys Park" and pt. of "Allonsons Foley"; also the plantation whereon William Golden now liveth, being pt. of a tract called "The Gift".
To son Thos. gun Bell, bed, half my cattle up the river saving the big steare, Negro man named Joseph
To son John Speake, 3 tracts, "Little Cremore", "Hard Shift" and "Allinsons Secret". also ...
To dau. Mary Speake, Negro girl named Fillis and other
To dau. Theodotia Speake. Negro boy James and other
To dau. Elizabeth Speake, Negro girl Peg, and other
To dau. Winefred Speake, Negro girl Bess, and other
To son Hezekia Speake, Negro man Amblus, and 150 acres, pt. of "Speaks Inclosure" and part of "Morecrafts Friendship".
To son Richard Speake,150 acres joining to Hezekia, being part of "Speaks Inclosure" and "Morecrafts Friendship", Negro man Jack
To Son George Speake, Negro boy Henry
To wife Theodotia Speake, 3 Negroes: Dick, Sarah, and Lucey and Sam, wenches to be divided between my four children: Jane Speake, William Speake, Joseph Hanson Speake, and Francis Speake.
Wife, Extx.
Wit: Theop Swift: Wm. Winter: Isaac Kent (MCW, X26; Wills, 26.116)

(Thomas died in 1775 in Frederick County. The area where he died became Montgomery County in 1776.
Charles County Land Record Book O#3, 1765-1770; Page 625. Sep 12, 1769 from Thomas Speake of Frederick County, Virginia, planter, to Richard Speake of CC, Inspector, for 150 ú and for divers other good causes, all my right to a certain tract of land, being part of 2 tracts of land in CC at Checkamuxion, one called McKeys Parks and the other, Allinsons Supply, containing about 100 acres. Also, part of a tract of land called the Gift, that is to say, all the land lying on the west side of the Reedy Run to the ditch and the Gut to the north line of the afd Gift, being all the lands willed to me, sd Thomas Speake, by my father's will. Signed - Thos Speake. Wit - Thos Stone*, Walter Ranson*. Recorded Sep 13, 1769.)

(Charles County Maryland Will Book AF-11, 1791-1801, {Abstract by Mike Marshall}; Page 274.
Henry Speake, May 18, 1795; June 8, 1795
I, Henry Speake of CC being sick and weak but of perfect mind and memory
To wife Elenor Speake, while she remains single, use of the land I now live on named Tower Hill, use of the 2 lower rooms of my dwelling house, Negro men Jack and Benjamin, Negro women Chloe and Margaret, and certain livestock; at the end of her single life, such personal property shall revert to my son Edward Sanders Speake.
To son Josias Speake, Tower Hill after the expiration of my wife Elenor Speake's single life; also one Negro boy named Isaac.
To daughter Henerita Speake, the use and unmolested enjoyment of one upper room of my dwelling house wherein is a fireplace for and during her single life; also one Negro lad named Bob, one Negro girl named Charity, one Negro girl named Charlotta, one mare 8 years old, and 2 beds and furniture.
To son Samuel Speake, one tract of land named Perry's Discovery, Stingum, and one other part of it called Biters Bitt, which said lands by son Samuel now lives on; also one Negro man named Peter and one Negro woman, wife of the said Peter, named Moll.
To son Walter Speake, one tract of land called Part of Blue Plains whereon John McPherson now lives; also one Negro woman named Nell and her youngest child named Danice.
To son Edward Sanders Speake, 55/1/10 pounds current money due me on bond from Ann Sanders for the purpose of educating him.
The remaining part of my estate shall be equally divided between my five children and wife Elenor Speake, that is to say, Josias, Samuel, Walter, Heneritta and Edward Sanders Speake, except my wife Elenor's part only to be hers during her single life, and then to become the right and inheritance of my son Edward Sanders Speake.
Executors: wife Elenor Speake and sons Samuel and Walter Speake.
Signed: May 18, 1795 Henry Speake
Witnesses: Clement Kennedy, Joseph Semmes, Edward Sanders.)

(Charles County Maryland Will Book AF-11, 1791-1801,{Abstract by Mike Marshall}; Page 70.
Henrietta Speake, January 16, 1790; March 19, 1800
To Richard Speake son of Lawson and Mary Speake, three negros, Jack (formerly the property of Ms Elizabeth Stoddert), Verlinda and Leonard, one bed and furniture, one young mare, six silver tablespoons, six silver tea spoons, one wild cherry desk and two wild cherry dining tables.
To George Speake son of Lawson and Mary Speake, one horse at the price of twelve pounds ten shillings currency.
To John Barnes Speake son of Lawson Speake and Mary Speake, one negro girl Molly, cow and calf.
To nephew Francis Speake son of Hezekiah Speake, one bed and furniture.
To nephew Joseph Speake son of Hezekiah Speake, one cow and calf, one young steer
To my sisters and my sister in law Jane Garner, wearing apparel
To nephew Lawson Speake son of George Speake (dec'd) all the remaining part of my estate.
Executor: Lawson Speake son of George Speake (dec'd)
Signed January 16, 1790 Heneritta Speake
Wit - Francis Speake, David Luckett, Thomas Speake
Probated on March 19, 1800 by Lawson Speake and witnesses Francis Speake, David Luckett, Thomas Speake who made oath that they saw the testator sign and seal this will.)

(SPEAKE, BOWLING, Charles Co. 12 Oct 1750; 13 Sep 1755
To son Thomas Speake, 125 a., being pt. of tract called ,"Mistake".
To son William Speake, 202 a. with his dwelling place being pt. of tract called "Mistake,"
To wife my dwelling plantation and use of my personal estate.
To my grand son Edward Speake son of Thomas Speake, my dwelling planation and a small tract called "The Meadow," also his first choice of Negroes and first choice of beds and furniture.
To grand dau. Anne Headon 2nd choice of beds and fumnituxe.
To dau Mary Baggatt. 1/2 of my cattle and sheep, bed and furniture.
To son William, Negro.
Wife Mary Speake,and grandson Edward Speake, son of Thos, Speake, exs.
Wit: Marmaduke Semmes, Will: McPherson, Junr., Wm. Coomes. 29.546.)

(SPEAKE, THOMAS of Zachaia, Charles Co. 2 Aug 1755; 13 Sep 1755
To wife Jane Speake, dwelling plantation whereon I now live, together with all that tract called "Speake's Enlargement," also all my personal estate except one dun mare.
To son Edward Speake 5 sh,
To my two sons Thomas Bowling Speake and John Speake, 120 a. of land to begin at the second course or line of a tract called "Mistake," run the course of this tract until at the end of the courses next to Jourdan Swamp take in pt. of a tract called "Speaks Enlargement" then to divide It equally between them.
To son Thomas Bowling Speake, a mare.
To two sons Charles Becworth Speake and Nicholas Speaker remaining pt of tract called "Speaks Enlargement," and remaining pt. of tract, called "Mistake," containing both together, 90 a. After the death of my wife, her land to be equally divided by a line drawn from Jordan Swamp to the opposite line and my son Charles Beckworth Speake to have first choice, Also I give to my dau Elizabeth Anne Mary Smith, wife of Peter Smith, that tenement whereon they now live for the space of 5 years and no longer provided they keep but on labouring hand (as we commonly call it) thereon at one time besides their two own selves. I give all my personal estate aforementioned after the decease of my wife Jane Speake to be divided among my two sons Charles Beckworth Speake and Nicholas Speake and my three daus Elizabeth Anne Mary Smith wife of Peter Smith, Anne Speake and Eleanor Speake.
Wife Jane Speake, extx,
Wilts Edward Miles,, John Baggat, James Smith. 29, 545.)

(Times Daily - October 3, 1890
Mr. James B. Speake, father of Judge Henry C. Speake of the eighth judicial circuit, and Attorney Daniel W. Speake of this city, died at his home in Lawrence county, Alabama, September 19th, 1890. The deceased was a pioneer citizen of North Alabama, and was among the oldest men in Lawrence, having lived to the advanced age of 87 years and 5 months. He was a native of Kentucky, and settled in Lawrence in 1832. For 57 years he lived on the same place and closed his eyes in death in the home that he had occupied during that long period. Besides the two sons above mentioned he has two others living, and perhaps, one or two children deceased. His venerable wife died about two years ago. Burial: Speake Cemetery Speake Lawrence County Alabama, USA.)

(About Nicholas Speak. According to "Early Settlers...", p. 947, "Nicholas SPEAK [was] the progenitor of the branch of the Speak family in Southwestern Virginia, "and "when a young man, and sometime before 1804, he removed from Maryland to southwestern Virginia and settled in Washinton County, where on 12 August 1804 he was married by the Rev. Charles Cummings to Sarah FAIRIES (FARRIS).... Nicholas and Sarah SPEAK lived in Washington Co., VA, for a number of years...where all their children were born except their two youngest daughters." Nicholas bought 60 acres of land "lying on the south side of the Holston River" for $300 in Washington Co. on 17 Oct. 1809. He also bought 28 acres lying on the north side of Little Stone mountain in Washington Co. from Robert & Jane CALDWELL on 18 Dec 1810 (DBK 4, 231, 396). He sold both tracts of land to Christopher KETRING of Washington Co. on 16 Feb. 1813 (DBK 5, 61, 170). "Nicholas SPEAK of Washington Co., VA, on 29 Nov. 1823, purchased a tract of land lying in Lee Co., VA on the head of a small east branch of Martins Creek (now known as SPEAKS Branch) containing 520 acres, from Robert E. &Mary CUMMINGS of Washington Co. for $780 (DBK 5, 145)." "After the purchase of this land, Nicholas SPEAK removed with his family to Lee Co., and settled on his newly acquired land where he became a well known citizen and a leader in the County and the Community. Nicholas Speak was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was the founder and a piller of the Church bearing his name--Speaks Chapel." In deed book 8, p. 216A, Nicholas SPEAK conveyed the land for the Methodist Episcopal Church to Tandy WELCH, William MORGAN, Adam YEARY, of Claiborne Co., TN, and Charles SPEAK and Nathan HOBBS of Lee Co., VA, for one dollar, and specifies that it shall be used for the said church. The will of Nicholas SPEAK, written on 22 April 1852, and proved 21 June 1852, is given on p. 950 of "Early Settlers of Lee Co., VA..." and names wife Sarah; daughters Fanny and Rebecca SPEAK, Sarah BARTLET, and Jane BALL; and sons Samuel, John, James A., Jesse C.; Joseph died before 1852, and thus was not in the will. A suit is given in "Ch. Book 1, Page 460", and lists John SPEAK [probably son of Nicholas SPEAK] as the Plaintiff, and as the defendants, lists the following: Sarah BARTLEY, James BARTLEY, Samuel SPEAK (son of Nicholas SPEAK, Sr.), Jane BALL, Jesse SPEAK, James SPEAK, Fanny ROSENBALM, A. M. SPEAK, Charity JOHNSON, Harvey JOHNSON, James CALLAHAM, Andrew CALLAHAM, Elizabeth CLARKSON, Samuel CLARKSON, Rebecca PAINTER, James PATINER, Susan SPEAK, Eliza SPEAK, Nancy SPEAK, Sarah SPEAK, Caroline SPEAK, Samuel SPEAK, Margaret SPEAK, Hetta SPEAK, Mary SPEAK, Elizabeth SPEAK, Rachel SPEAK, Sarah SPEAK, SImpson SPEAK, Sarah SPEAK (dau. of Thomas, deceased), Cary SPEAK, Fanny SPEAK, Thomas SPEAK, William P. ROSENBALM, Thomas ROSENBALM, Henry ROSENBALM, and Rebecca ROSENBALM. It is likely that most or all of these are descendants of Nicholas SPEAK, since they all seem to be owners of lands willed to them by him, either.

!A Brief History of Speaks Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church: "In the year 1839, Nicholas SPEAK, Sr., deed to the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for their use, a tract of land or lot of land, as shown by deed DBK 8, p. 216A, recorded in Lee Co., VA. The deed is the only written evidence I have been able to find in regard to the church. There is no written evidence in existence telling when the church was organized or by whom. The original building was a large lod structure, with seats made by split logs, with holes bored in them with pins inserted for legs. The heating equipment was made by two box like frames about 5 by 5 feet square, and 12 inches high, which were placed on the floor and filled with earth. In the center of these squares was heaped large piles of charcoal, which served as fuel and heated the building nicely, the smoke passing out through the roof as there was no overhead ceiling. The original building was used to teach school in for many years. I attended my first school there 75 years ago. (M. M. SPEAK) (Note by writer: No date is given for the compilation). "After the Civil War when the "division" came in the church, both branches of the Church used this building for worship for many years. Finally a misunderstanding arose in regard to who was the legal owners of the property. Most of the M.E's withdrew their membership, and built a church over by Powell River. The church is known as the Fairview M.E. Church. This upheaval became near being the undoing of the two branches of the church in this community as meither has been very prosperous since, but, thankful to a 'faithful few,' Speaks Chapel is still functioning. I am not a member of the Methodist Church but I have always been interested in Speaks Chapel and always will be. My parents and all their people were members of this church. "My sincere hope and prayer is: That God in his mercy and wisdom will help the church at Speaks Chapel to become strong again and once again become a 'Power for God,' as it was when I was a boy. Source geni.com)