Many Speed researchers have attempted to conclusively prove that their lines are descendants of John Speed who was born at Farndon, County Cheshire, England in 1552 during the reign of King Edward VI, the same year in which Sir Walter Raleigh was born and twelve years before William Shakespeare was born. The Encyclopedia Britannica, Eleventh Edition indicates that he was the son of a London tailor and that John followed in his father's trade, being admitted as a member of the Merchant Taylors Company in 1580. He later settled in Moorefields where he was able to give up his trade for pursuits in map making through the support of a benefactor, Sir Fulke Greville. Starting in 1611, John produced his Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine, a series of fifty-four maps of different parts of England, which had already appeared separately, and in which he had been helped by Christopher Saxton, John Norden, and William White. He also produced his History of Great Britaine under the Conquests of the Romans. John died on July 28, 1629 and was buried in the chancel of the Church of St. Giles without, Cripplegate, London where a monument stands over his grave. The inscription on the monument in latin reads translated, "He was a faithful servant of Queen Elizabeth, King James I, and King Charles I and died July 28th, 1629, aged 77, and his wife brought him twelve sons and six daughters; and after she had lived with her husband 57 years died between the 70th and 80th year of her age, March 28, 1628." Speed descendants of John Speed are believed to have immigrated to the Virginia Colony as early as 1633. However, this has not yet been proven through reliable documentation. Much historical debate centers on several Speed family sources which tie James B. Speed, son of Dr, John Speed of Southampton, England (1628-1711), who was born in Southampton, England on September 28, 1679. James immigrated to Virginia in about 1695, according to several Speed family records. The debate centers on the authenticity of James' birthdate since it does not fit into the periods of time in which his father, John, was married two seperate times. Further, James is not mentioned in his father John's will. Nonetheless, the research continues to someday resolve these questions. The Speed lines descendants listed on this web site originate from William Speed, born February 19, 1716. Research closely places William as a possible son of James B. Speed but without conclusive proof at this time. All descendants of William Speed are better documented and show western migration routes from Virginian to North and South Carolina to Tennessee and to Alabama and Mississippi during the late 1700's and early 1800's.