Nathaniel Wade

Nathaniel Wade ( 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. The maiden name of his mother, who was buried in St. Stephen's, Bristol, on 22 March 1678–79, was Lane. 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 New Inn on 11 June 1678, and the Middle Temple on 16 June 1681. As a young lawyer of the country party and a frequenter, it would appear, of the Green Ribbon Club, he had some dealings with Richard Rumbold and other insurgent "republicans" in the spring of 1683.

He was suspected of complicity in the Rye House Plot, and on 23 June a reward of £100 was offered for his apprehension, together with Rumbold, John Rumsey, Richard Goodenough, and other plotters.

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. 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.

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. and was buried on 14 March 1717–18 "at the foot of Mrs. Noble's tombstone" in Redcross Street burial-ground. He was granted a commission as major by Monmouth "on ship-board", and he was spoken of in his later years as "Major Wade".