Nathaniel Wade
Nathaniel Wade (c. 1666? – 1718) was an English lawyer and conspirator implicated in the Rye House Plot and participant in the Monmouth Rebellion.
Biography
Early life
Nathaniel Wade, born around 1666, was the third son of John Wade of the Wick-house, Arlingham, Gloucestershire. John Wade was a major in Oliver Cromwell's army and governor of the Isle of Man for a short period under the Protector.[1] The maiden name of his mother, who was buried in St. Stephen's, Bristol, on 22 March 1678–79, was Lane.[2] The John Wade who is claimed as the founder of the family was mayor of Bristol in 1576, and is described in the corporation records as a lollard. The family resided at Filton, near Bristol since 1560.
Conspiracy
Nathaniel entered the
He was suspected of complicity in the
Wade took part in the
At Taunton he at first opposed Monmouth proclaiming himself king, but he subsequently overcame his republican scruples, fighting in the van at the Battle of Sedgemoor as colonel of "Monmouth's" regiment.[6] After Sedgemoor he fled to the coast, but found a frigate cruising off the spot where he had hoped to embark. He was soon captured, taken to London, and committed to Newgate Prison on 5 October. In spite of his previous record, he was allowed to turn king's evidence (19 October), and he received a free pardon on 4 June 1686.[3] In the meantime he had given evidence against Henry Booth, Lord Delamere, and doubtless aided the crown prosecutions in some other cases.[7]
Later life
In January 1687 King James, anxious to win the good opinion of the dissenters, sent Wade to Bristol with the order of the council for the "remodelling" of the corporation, and he presented his special commission under the privy seal to the mayor on 4 February. In a second document, setting forth the new appointments, Wade himself by way of reward was nominated town clerk of the city. His tenure of the office did not survive the events of the following October, when John Romsey was reinstated (17 October); but he seems to have retained some position in Bristol, as in Queen Anne's charter to the city of 24 July 1710 he was confirmed in his office of steward of the sheriff's court. In 1714 he headed the militia at Bristol against the Kingswood colliers.[1] He resigned his municipal post, after upwards of six years' service, early in 1712. During 1711 he took part in building a bridge over the River Frome at Wade Street, Bristol, long known as the "Traitor's Bridge". Wade died at Nailsea Court early in 1718,[8] and was buried on 14 March 1717–18 "at the foot of Mrs. Noble's tombstone" in Redcross Street burial-ground.[9] He was granted a commission as major by Monmouth "on ship-board", and he was spoken of in his later years as "Major Wade".
References
- ^ doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/28380. Retrieved 26 December 2015. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- ^ Broadmead Records, ed. Underhill, 1847, p. 385
- ^ ISBN 9780750960182.
- ISBN 9780804720526.
- ^ London Gazette, 18 June 1685
- ISBN 978-1-84415-147-9.
- ^ Thomas Bayly Howell, State Trials, ii. 542.
- ISBN 9780722341834.
- ^ Register.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Wade, Nathaniel". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.