John Wade (abt. 1615 - bef. 1658)

Born about 1615 in Cecil, Warwickshire, England [uncertain]

Husband of Mary (Atkins) Wade — married 1636 in Chilvers Coton, Warwickshire, England

Descendants

Died before 4 Sep 1658 before about age 43 in Charles County, Province of Maryland

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Biography

John Wade was a Maryland colonist.

1615 Birth and Parents

Birth Year Estimation: 1615

John's eldest son Edward had reached majority at the time John wrote his will in 1658. ^[1] If Edward was age 21 or older in 1658, he was born in 1637 or earlier, placing his parents' marriage at 1636 or earlier, and John's own birth, if he was 21 or older in 1636, at, say, 1615 or earlier.

Marshall states that Dr. John Wade was born about 1620 in Warwickshire, England. ^[2]

Estimated Place of Birth: Cecil, Warwickshire

John's will places his wife's hometown as Chilvers Coton, Warwickshire, so it is likely John was also from Warwickshire though not necessarily the same town. The will names a brother of John living in Cecil, Warwickshire, which may have been the family's home town.^[1]

Siblings

John Wade had a brother William, of Cecil, Warwickshire. ^[3]

Title

As a person of means, John Wade was addressed as "Mr" in some documents, signifying that was regarded as a "gentleman." Only a minority of persons were entitled to the honorific "Mr."

If John Wade were a surgeon today, he would be addressed universally as "Dr." However, a chirurgeon of his day was not considered a medical doctor; surgery was additional duties for a skilled barber. The title "Dr" is not appropriate for John, however, it is used in this profile to distinguish him from several other persons named John Wade.

1636 Marriage to Mary Atkins

Papenfuse reports that John Wade married Mary. ^[3]

John Wade's will names Mary as his wife and Edward Atkins of Chilvers Coton in Warwickshire as her father. ^[1]

Marshall states that before 1640 in Warwickshire, England he married Mary Atkins. Marshall adds that she was born before 1624 in Warwickshire and died after 1658 in Charles County, Maryland.^[2]

Calculations from John's will, however, require an earlier date estimation. If Edward, son of John and Mary, had reached majority at the time of the 1658 will, he was born in 1637 or earlier, which would place the marriage at 1636 or earlier. If Mary were at least 15 in 1636, she would have been born no later than 1621.

John's will indicates that following their marriage, John and Mary received property from Mary's father both by will and by deed of gift. No evidence has been found that Mary left England, and her husband's will suggests she was deceased by 1658. While John willed property acquired in Maryland to his mistress Ann Smith, property derived from his marriage in England was willed to John and Mary's son Edward.

1648 Arrival and Occupation

John Wade immigrated in 1648 as a free adult.^[3]

Skordas shows a "Mr. John Wade", Chirurgeon (Surgeon) immigrated to Maryland by 1648. ^[4].

Dr. John Wade, chirurgeon immigrated to Maryland about 1648 (MPL, ABG:49, 166, 3:25-28).^[5]

That he "immigrated" indicates that John Wade paid his own way. That he is addressed as "Mr" indicates that he had the social status of "gentleman" by virtue of birth, wealth, and/or occupation.

29 Sept (1650) . "Mr John Wade Chirurgion demandeth 100 Acres for transporting himself and 50 Acres for transporting Anne Smith his Maidservant into this Province in Anno 1648. Warrant to lay out for Mr John Wade 150 Acres vppon Patomeck River or some branch or Creeke thereof." ^[6]

In the 1600s a surgeon was typically also a barber, who had learned his trade through apprenticeship. A surgeon was less respected than a practitioner of medicine, who was more often (though not always) university trained. ^[7]

Other early Wade Immigrants to Maryland

Skordas shows the following early Wade immigrants to Maryland: ^[4]

Zachery Wade Transported 1641 Servant 2 576

Mr. John Wade Immigrated 1648 Cirurgeon ABH 49, 166

John Wade Immigrated 1648 2 25, 26

Jeremiah Wade Transported 1653 6 120

Thomas Wade Transported 1655 5 259

Anne Smith, Servant and Mistress

When John Wade came to Maryland in 1648, he also paid the passage of Ann Smith, his servant. (ABH:48). Gust Skordas adds the note, "Transported 1648, by Dr. Jno Wade, whose mistress she afterwards became. See his will. Servant. ^[8]

As an indentured servant, Anne would have been required to be John's servant for the term of indenture, usually seven years. During this time, she had a son, who Dr. John acknowledged as his, naming both the son and Anne Smith as his mother, in his will. ^[1]

Anne Smith was not living with John when he wrote his will in 1658. Apparently both the indenture and the relationship had ended by that time.

Dr. John Wade did, however, provide for Anne and their son in his will.

1654 General Assembly

He represented Saint Mary's County in the Assembly in 1654 (BDML 2:851).^[5]

Public Service: Assembly, Potomac (St. Mary's County), 1654 (elected dur- ing the session to fill vacancy). ^[3]

Residence

John Wade resided in Newtown Hundred, St. Mary's County. ^[3]

1658 Incurred Debt for goods and services

John Wade, Chirurgion, in 1658 incurred a debt for goods and merchandizes for use of his plantation in Maryland ^[9]

Know all men by these pents That I John Wade of Poplar Hill in Maryland in the parts beyownd the Seas Chirurgion, am houlden & firmely bownd, unto Thomas Ticknor Cittizen & Grocer of London, in One hundd pownds of lawfull money of England To be payd to the sd Thomas Ticknor, his Certaine Attorney, Executor Adrhistrator, or Assignes, To the wch paym' well & faythfully to bee made, I doe bind mee, my heyres Executor & Admistrator firmely by these pents, Sealed with my Seale, Dated Twelueth day of Octobr in the yeare of Our Lord God, One Thowsand six hundd fifty & Eight. The Condicon of this Obligaon is such That if the aboue bownd John Wade his Executor, Adrhistratot or Assignes doe truly pay to the aboue named Thomas Ticknor his Executor, Admistrator or Assignes att or in the now dwelling howse of the sd Thomas Ticknor, scituate in Bisshops gate streete London, The some of nifty & Three p. 358 pownds of lawfull money of England (being for goods & merchandizes receiued of the sd Thomas Ticknor by the sd John Wade for the use of his Plantaon in Maryland aboue mentioned) in & uppon the Twelueth day of Aprill next comeing after the date aboue written That then this Obligaon to bee joyde, or ells to stand in full force & Vertue, John Wade, Sealed & deliuered in the pesence of us Wm Salisbury Serr Robr Pryme

This is a true Copie & agreeth wth the Original being Examined by us, Wm Salisbury Senr, James Heigh his Seru' Nich: Spencer Edw: Worsopp.

The pif produceth the Copie of a Bond signed by John Wade Chyrurgeon deceased bearing date 12° Octobr 1658, Wherein the sd Wade is bownd to the pH under the penalty of one hundd pownds for the paym' of ffifty three pownds Sterl, as is conteyned in the sd Bond.

The Admistrator not prouing th' any thing was eyther payd by the sd Wade, or himselfe in Satisfaction of this Debt, & not able to obiect any thing concerning the Bond, & the iustness thereof, It is Ordered th' the pif haue Judgm' agst the Admistrator for ffifty Three pownds sterl. according to the sd Bond.

1658 Will, Death, Estate

Will

The date Dr. John Wade's will was written is not clear. It was proved 4 September, 1658, after his death. ^[1]

• To son Edward and hrs., all property belonging to testator and his wife Mary which was given them by Edward Attkins of Chilvercoton [Chilvers Coton] in Warwickshire, by will or by deed of gift.
• To dau. Mary Wade, personalty which is to be paid testator at death of Nicholas Houkins and Eliza: his wife, the bond of which money is in the hands of John Wade, of Chilvercoton.
• To son John Wade, son of Anne Smith, who formerly lived with testator in Md., personalty in event of death of dau. Mary during minority. Sd. personalty to pass in turn to son Edward afsd. and to Anne Smith, afsd., and then to child. of brother William Wade, in Cecil Warwickshire.
• To Anne Smith and child. afsd. of testator, residue of estate, real and personal, equally. Wm. Wright, Zacharias Wade, John Harwood, and Jas. Johnson to have property until coming of Anne Smith.
• Admr., Zacharias Wade.
• Test: Edmond Brent, Wm. Backhous. 1. 101.

He died leaving a will proved 4 September 1658, naming son Edward, who was to have all the property given to the testator and his wife mary by Edward Atkins of Chilvercoton, Warwickshire.^[5]

Daughter Mary was to have personalty which was to be paid the testator at the death of Nicholas Houkins and wife Eliza, and which was held by John Wade of Chilvercoton.^[5]

Son John Wade, son of Anne Smith, who formerly lived with the tetator in Maryland, was to have certain personalty. ^[5]

The testator named his brother William Wade of Cecil, Warwickshire,^[5]

Anne Smith and children aforesaid were to have the residue of his estate. ^[5]

He also mentione William Wirth, Zacharias Wade, and James Johnso who were to hold the property until the coming of Anne Smith. ^[5]

Zacharias wade was named administrator. (MWB 1:101)^[5]

Dr. John Wade left

• to his son Edward, all property given to him and his wife Mary by Edward Atkins of Hilvercoton in Warwickshire by will or by deed of gift. ^[10]
• To his daughter, Mary Wade, personalty, which is to be paid at the death of Nicholas Houkinsand Elizabeth his wife, the bond of which money is in the hands of John Wade of Chilvercoton. ^[10]
• To son John Wade, son of Anne Smith, who formery livede with testator i Maryland, personalty, in event of death of daughter Mary during minority. ^[10]
• Mentions child of brother William Wade in Cecil, Warwickshire. ^[10]
• Residue of estate to Anne Smith and child afsd of testator. ^[10]
• William Wright, Zacharias Wadse, John Harwood and James Johnson to have property until coming of Anne Smith. Admr. Zacharias wade^[10]

Death

He died at sea. ^[5]

John Wade died at sea.^[3]

John Wade died in 1658. ^[3]

He died in September 1658 in Charles County, Maryland. ^[2]

Estate

'John Wade's will was probated on September 4, 1658, in St. Mary's County.^[3]

Inventory

Aug. 18, 1659 - Inventory of Mr. John Wade (chirurgeon, of Poplar Hill.)^[2]

• Mentions: boy servant, maid servant, Mr. Luke Barber, Mr. John Goodrick.
• Appraisers: John Lawson, John Harwood.
• List of Debts: 44 named persons including William Marshall.
• Source: Maryland Prerogative Court, Testamentary Proceedings, Liber 1B, Page 65-8.

9 March (year not specified) Zachariah Wade exhibited the will of John Wade (chirurgeon, Poplar Hill, Newtown Hundred. ^[11]

• Bequests:
  • son Edward Wade
  • wife Mary Ade by Edward Attkins in the hands of Mr. George Wade (Chalversloto St.)
  • daughter Mary (under age) due of Nicholas Houkins & his wife Elisabeth Houskins & Mr. Thomas Cheseldine & Mrs. Wooddsall (Chilversloton), then to son John Wade son of Ann Smith then to son Edward (under age) then to Ann Smith then to children of brother William Wade (Cocill, Warwickshire)
  • Ann Smith & hgere son John Smith & my son Edward Wade & my daughter Mary Wade, Mary Foxe,(servant), William Wright & Zacharias Wade & John Harwood & James Johnson.
  • Mentions:
    • Mr. Collewtt (St. Katherine's Dock)
    • Mr. James Nuttall (St. Katherine's Lane)
    • My attorney Zachariah Wade to pay Mr. Meese & Mr. Benbo.
    • Date: 9 September 1658
• Witnesses:
  • Edmond Brnt (now dec'd
• William Backhouse (now dec'd

Zachariah Wade was granted administration, with sureities

• • Richard Banks
  • Patrick Forrest
• Apprisers: John Lawson (Poplar Hill)

John Harwood (Newtowne Capt. Bans to administer oath.

Directory of Persons named in will and estate

• Edward Atkins, father in law
• Mary Atkins Wade, wife
• William Backhouse, witness
• Edmund Brent, witness
• Ann Smith, mistress
• Edward Wade, son
• George Wade
• Dr John Wade, testator
• John Wade, son
• Zacharias Wade, executor
• William Wade, brother
• William Wright, witness

Children

Children of John Wade and his wife Mary

1. Edward Wade, had reached majority at the time of his father's 1658 will, therefore born before 1637. Edward and his heirs are named in his father's will to receive all property belonging to testator and his wife Mary which was given them by Edward Attkins of Chilvercoton [Chilvers Coton] in Warwickshire, by will or by deed of gift. ^[1] This suggests that Edward had remained in England.
2. Mary Wade is named in her father's 1658 will as his daughter. The will refers to her "in her minority", so if she was under 18 in 1658 she was born after 1640. In the will she is to receive "the personalty which is to be paid testator at death of Nicholas Houkins and Eliza: his wife, the bond of which money is in the hands of John Wade of Chilvercoton." This suggests property (other than real estate) which is located in Chilver Coton, property that is owed to Dr. John Wade, and bond for which is held by another John Wade in Chilver Coton. In the event of Mary's death while a minor, the property is to go to Edward, then to Anne Smith, and if neither of the survive, then to the chlden of Dr. John Wade's brotehr William in Cecil, Warwickshire. ^[1]

Child of John Wade and his mistress Ann Smith

1. John Wade was born to his father and his servant Anne Smith. There is no record that he came to Maryland with his father, so his birth may be estimated as after their arrival in Maryland in 1648, making him no older than 10 years of age at his father's death in 1658. His father recognized him as an heir in his will. His mother Anne and he as her child are to receive the residue of Dr. John Wade's estate, both real and personal. Since Edward received the estate in England, this would be his father's estate in Maryland. ^[1]

Resarch Notes

Was John Wade the son of Robert Wade and Ann Elizabeth Smith

Some popular genealogies show John Wade as the son of Robert Wade and Ann Elizabeth Smith. John has been disconnected from these parents because no sources have been found to establish this relationship.

In fact, no sources have been found to establish their existence. In addition, double first names -- such as "Ann Elizabeth" -- were extremely rare in this time period and generally reflect the conflation of two or more different people's information.

Who was the Zachary Wade, Administrator of John's Estate?

Zachary Wade is named as administrator of John's estate, but no indication is provided as to his relationship. Referring to Zachary, Barnes notes, "no known relationship to Dr. John Wade." ^[5]

Did John Wade Migrate First to Virginia?

There is a John Wade, age 21 (born 1614) who arrived in Virginia on the Constance in 1635. ^[12]

24 Oct 1635: Aboard the Constance, Clement Campion Master bound to Virginea. First Name ; Surname; Years [Age]

John Wade 21

Garret Nicholson 23

John Burrows 18

Wm Belt 21

Thomas Simpson 24

Tho: Patrick 22

John Till 20

Joseph Pricherd 17

Wm Bannerman 18

Rich. Tayler 18

John Griffin 26

Samuel Jackson 21

Geo: Atkinson 16

Robt Sexton 24

Tho: Prucell 26

David Lupton 23

Henrie More 20

Michell Suckliff 38

George Atterborne 20

Rich: Steere 24

Tho: Leer 18

Wm Prichard 24

James Cotes 22

James Revell 20

Wm Andrewes 20

Lymon Jerr 14

William Scroggins compiled a pdf file outlining Wades in Virginia. ^[13]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7} Maryland Calendar of Wills Will of Dr John Wade Accessed 2 August 2023 jhd
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} Mike Marshall. Early Colonial Settlers of Southern Maryland and Virginia's Northern Neck Counties. Profile of Dr. John Wade Accessed 31 July 2023 jhd
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7} Edward C. Papenfuse, et al. A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature 1635-1789. Entry for John Wade Volume 426, Page 851. Accessed 3 August 2023 jhd
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Gust Skordas.The Early Settlers of Maryland: An Index to Names of Immigrants Compiled from Records of Land Patents, 1633-1680, in the Hall of Records, Annapolis, Maryland. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1968, p. 479, referring to Patent ABH 49,166, and Patent 3,25-26
5. ↑ ^{5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10} Robert H. Barnes. British Roots of Maryland Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1999. Page 443.
6. ↑ Maryland Historical Society. Land Notes 1634-1655 Maryland Historical Magazine, March 1913 (VIII, 1) Baltimore, Maryland. Page 264 Accessed 5 August 2023 jhd
7. ↑ William C. Wigglesworth. Surgery in Massachusetts, 1620–1800 Accessed 1 August 2023 jhd
8. ↑ Gust Skordas. The Early Settlers of Maryland. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1968. Page 423
9. ↑ Archives of Maryland, Volume 41. Proceedings of the Provincial Court of Maryland. 1658-1662. Bernard Chrisian Steiner, editor. Baltimore: Maryland Historical Society, 1922. [http://books.google.com/books?id=syQUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA359&lpg=PA359&dq=%22john+wade%22+maryland&source=bl&ots=SiQcgtNvXG&sig=homTiB5ppDVxExYJwctQY8hBRLk&hl=en&ei=CsB4TN71JIPGsAO6tuXsCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=30&ved=0CIIBEOgBMB0#v=onepage&q=%22john%20wade%22%20maryland&f=false page. 359] Accessed 4 August 2023. jhd
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5} Marlene Strawser Bates & F. Edward Wright., Early Charles County Maryland Settlers 1658-1745. Westminster, Maryland: Heritage Books, 2006, pp 286-287. Will 1:101, 4 Sept 1658
11. ↑ V, L, Skinner, Jr., Abstracts of the Testamentary Proceedings of the Prerogative Court of Maryland. Volme I, 1658-1674 Baltimore: Clearfield, 2004. Testament of Zachariah Wade 9 March. 1B51, 1B52, 1B53 Accessed 2 August 2023 jhd
12. ↑ Laura Freeman, transcriber, Olive Tree Genealogy, 2003 List of Passengers on Ship Constance from London England to Virginia 1635
13. ↑ William G. Scroggins, Taylor Mill, Kentucky. James Wade of Virginia Personal Research, 23 September 1999. Accessed 1 August 2023 jhd