Thomas Wale

Thomas Wale was a Cambridgeshire gentleman born at Risby, Suffolk on 7 September 1701 and died in 1796.

He described his early business there as "chiefly in the factorage and commission way: For his said patron Mr Allen and his own friends".

His sons included General Sir Charles Wale (born 15 August 1752) who became Colonel of the 33rd (The Duke of Wellington's) Regiment of Foot on 25 February 1831.

She married Allen Hurrell (senior, died 1740[1]) at Little Shelford on 12 January 1719 and their daughter Margaret (Peggy) Hurrell (junior) married John (Littel) Bridge (died 1776, buried at Harston) an "eminent counsellor at law" at Lackford, near Risby, Suffolk near Bury St Edmunds in 1752[2] (In "My Grandfather's pocket book" this marriage is given (on page 307) as follows: "married Mr. Budge [i.e. Bridge] at Lackford, Aug.12th, 1758 [the '58 here may also be an error].

All of the above were notable landowners in Harston[3] John Littel Bridge was the son of Robert Bridge of Shudy Camps and Sarah (or Susanna) daughter of Thomas (or John) Littel of Halstead Co, Essex[4] Thomas Wale left an early description of how foreigners became naturalised in England.

He left papers containing to all details of his life and times, including recipes, ledgers, descriptions of his journeys and family, and copies of contemporary documents.

As well as accounts of his travels within England, Thomas Wale also left details about his voyages to Russia, Switzerland and Scotland.