Dudley Bradstreet facts for kids
Dudley Bradstreet (born 1711, died 1763) was an Irish adventurer and a secret government agent. He played a key role during the Jacobite rising in 1745. Bradstreet worked as a spy for the government. He helped convince Bonnie Prince Charlie's army to turn back from Derby. This action effectively ended the Jacobite attempt to take over the throne.
Contents
Who Was Dudley Bradstreet?
Dudley Bradstreet was born in 1711 in Tipperary, Ireland. His family owned a lot of land there. However, they had many debts, so their wealth was reduced. Dudley was the youngest son. He spent his early years with a foster father in Tipperary.
Early Life and Jobs
As a young man, Dudley became a soldier, called a trooper. But he soon left the army. He tried to be a linen merchant, selling fabric. That business was not successful. Later, he tried to be a brewer, making drinks. For many years, Bradstreet lived an unpredictable life. He often worked on different money-making plans in Ireland and England.
Spying During the Jacobite Uprising of 1745
During the Jacobite rising of 1745, Bradstreet got a special job. Government officials hired him to be a spy. His mission was to gather information on people suspected of supporting the Jacobites. He was also given equipment by important leaders like the Dukes of Newcastle and Cumberland. His job was to report on the movements of Prince Charles Edward, also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, and his army.
Bradstreet's Clever Trick
Bradstreet pretended to be a strong supporter of the Jacobite cause. He used the fake name 'Captain Oliver Williams.' This allowed him to meet Prince Charles and his advisors in Derby. There, he secretly worked for the Duke of Cumberland. Without anyone suspecting him, he convinced Prince Charles's army to turn back. He told them a made-up story. He claimed there was a "third force" of 9,000 men in Northampton. He said this force was ready to fight the Scots. This "third force" did not actually exist.
After this meeting, Bradstreet remained friendly with the rebels. He left them as a friend when they started their march back to Scotland. This decision was very important. It ended the Jacobites' hopes of taking London and the Crown. Bradstreet's reports about Prince Charles and his friends are very detailed.
Later Adventures
Even though Bradstreet's spying work was helpful, he did not get much reward. Government officials did not give him money or a military job. He felt these had been promised to him. However, he managed to tell his story to the King. The King then gave him one hundred and twenty pounds.
The Bottle Conjurer Trick
For a while, Bradstreet made money from different schemes. He believed his success came from people's belief in "wondrous things." One of his last tricks in London was called the 'bottle conjurer.' In January 1747–48, he performed this trick with others. He made a lot of money from it.
Bradstreet even wrote a play about his adventures with this trick. It was called 'The Magician, or the Bottle Conjurer.' He said famous actors helped him improve the play. This play was performed four times in London and was very popular. But on the fifth night, the local officials stopped the play.
Return to Ireland
After more adventures, Bradstreet went back to Ireland. He owned a small piece of land there. He tried to run a brewing business in Westmeath, but it was not successful. He also had problems with tax officials. To earn money, he wrote a book about his life and adventures. It was called The Life and Uncommon Adventures of Captain Dudley Bradstreet. The book was printed in Dublin in 1755. It is known for its lively writing and good descriptions. Dudley Bradstreet died in 1763 in Multifarnham, Westmeath.
