Number 2. Col. Nathaniel Wade House. 78 County Rd. The oldest house now standing on the Green is the Nathaniel Wade House. It was built by Captain Thomas Wade in 1727 on land originally granted to Giles Firman. Here Nathaniel Wade lived for many years. He trained the Ipswich soldiers and led them to war at Bunker Hill. The stairs to the attic are worn by the footsteps of Ipswich Minute men, who adjourned to the attic for refreshment after drilling on the green. Later Colonel Wade was appointed by General Washington to succeed Benedict Arnold, and his vigorous action prevented the loss of West Point to the British.The house is a large structure that has undergone many additions, but many very fine features of the early house remain. There is a magnificent paneled fireplace wall and paneled doors in the great room. 
The bedroom on the second floor has an elegant paneled fireplace wall with bolection molding around the fireplace. The whole house has been so beautifully restored that in 1994 it won the Mary Conley award for historic preservation from the Ipswich Historical Commission. Colonel Wade is buried in the South Cemetery across the street.
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