Biography Nathaniel Wade

1 biography

1.1 life
1.2 conspiracy
1.3 later life

biography
early life

nathaniel wade, born around 1666, third son of john wade of wick-house, arlingham, gloucestershire. john wade major in oliver cromwell s army , governor of isle of man short period under protector. maiden name of mother, buried in st. stephen s, bristol, on 22 march 1678–9, lane. john wade claimed founder of family mayor of bristol in 1576, , described in corporation records lollard. family resided @ filton, near bristol since 1560.

conspiracy

nathaniel entered new inn on 11 june 1678, , middle temple on 16 june 1681. young lawyer of country party , frequenter, appear, of green ribbon club, had dealings richard rumbold , other insurgent republicans in spring of 1683.

he suspected of complicity in rye house plot, , on 23 june reward of £100 offered apprehension, rumbold, john rumsey, richard goodenough, , other plotters. 3 witnesses found give evidence against him, escaped holland, spent 2 years in atmosphere of whig intrigue, and, according own account, acted emissary between duke of monmouth , archibald campbell, 9th earl of argyll.

wade took part in monmouth rebellion, sailing monmouth @ end of may 1685, , landing @ lyme regis on 11 june. 3 days later marched forde grey, earl of tankerville, in direction of bridport, @ head of 3 hundred infantry, , took part in indecisive , shambling encounter dorset militia.

at taunton @ first opposed monmouth proclaiming himself king, subsequently overcame republican scruples, fighting in van @ battle of sedgemoor colonel of monmouth s regiment. after sedgemoor fled coast, found frigate cruising off spot had hoped embark. captured, taken london, , committed newgate prison on 5 october. in spite of previous record, allowed turn king s evidence (19 october), , received free pardon on 4 june 1686. in meantime had given evidence against henry booth, lord delamere, , doubtless aided crown prosecutions in other cases.

later life

in january 1687 king james, anxious win opinion of dissenters, sent wade bristol order of council remodelling of corporation, , presented special commission under privy seal mayor on 4 february. in second document, setting forth new appointments, wade himself way of reward nominated town clerk of city. tenure of office did not survive events of following october, when john romsey reinstated (17 october); seems have retained position in bristol, in queen anne s charter city of 24 july 1710 confirmed in office of steward of sheriff s court. in 1714 headed militia @ bristol against kingswood colliers. resigned municipal post, after upwards of 6 years service, in 1712. during 1711 took part in building bridge on river frome @ wade street, bristol, long known traitor s bridge . wade died @ nailsea court in 1718, , buried on 14 march 1717–18 @ foot of mrs. noble s tombstone in redcross street burial-ground. granted commission major monmouth on ship-board , , spoken of in later years major wade .