Brassey’s father, a Quaker, who purchased Roxford in 1700, was an assistant in the Sword Blade Company and a prominent London banker, trading in partnership with his son-in-law, Sir George Caswall, under the style of Brassey and Caswall. By 1716 Nathaniel Brassey was his father’s partner in the firm, which became known after 1730 as Nathaniel Brassey and Lee.2Hilton, Price, Handbook of London Bankers.
After contesting St. Albans unsuccessfully in 1730, Brassey was returned unopposed for Hertford in 1734. In 1739 he was one of the Members chosen to prepare a bill to prevent fraud and abuses in gold and silver wares, receiving the thanks of the Goldsmiths’ Company for his ‘indefatigable pains’.3Prideaux, Memorials of Goldsmiths’ Co. ii. 231. The same year, in common with other Hertfordshire Members, he supported a motion for the repeal of the Test Act,4HMC Egmont Diary, iii. 47. otherwise voting regularly with the Government.
He died 29 Sept. 1765, aged 68.