Background
Francis Dade was the seventh son of William Dade, Esq.
Francis Dade was the seventh son of William Dade, Esq.
He was an English Royalist who emigrated to Virginia some time after the death of Charles I, possibly after involvement in some plot against Oliver Cromwell. He was notoriously attached to the Stuarts. In Virginia he adopted the name "John Smith".
He served as Speaker of the Virginia in 1658.
Francis Dade as "John Smith" served in the House only during the 1658 session, representing Warwick County, and was chosen as Speaker. Governor Samuel Mathews tried to dissolve the House on April 1.
The House, under Smith"s leadership, replied that the dissolution was illegal. lieutenant swore its members to secrecy and threatened to censure anyone who left the session.
The following day, Mathews and his council offered to refer the dispute to Cromwell.
The House refused and declared the governor"s and councilors" offices vacant. lieutenant then proceeded to reelect Mathews and his council, forcing them all to swear an oath to honor the sovereignty of the House.