George Read

George Read (September 18, 1733–September 21, 1798) was an American lawyer and politician from New Castle, Delaware in New Castle County. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Governor of Delaware, a delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention and U.S. Senator from Delaware.

Early life and family

Read was born September 18, 1733 near North East, Maryland, son of John and Mary Howell Read. John Read was a wealthy English resident of Dublin, Ireland who came to Maryland as a young man and was one of the founders of Charlestown, Maryland in Cecil County. When George Read was an infant the family moved to New Castle County, Delaware, settling near the village of Christiana. As he grew up, Read attended the Rev. Francis Allison's Academy with Thomas McKean at New London, Pennsylvania and studied law in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with John Moland. He was admitted to the Philadelphia Bar in 1753 and a year later he returned home and established a practice at New Castle, Delaware.

Related Topics:
September 18 - 1733 - North East - Maryland - Dublin - Ireland - Charlestown - Cecil County - New Castle County - Delaware - Thomas McKean - New London - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia - Philadelphia - Bar - New Castle

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In 1763 he married Gertrude Ross Till, daughter of the Rev. George Ross, the Anglican Rector of Immanuel Church in New Castle, and widowed sister of George Ross, also a future signer of the Declaration of Independence. They had four children, John, George, Jr, John, and Mary, who married Gunning Bedford, a future Governor of Delaware. They lived on The Strand in New Castle. Their house was in what is now the garden of the present Read House and Gardens, now owned by the Delaware Historical Society. They were members of the Episcopal Church.

Related Topics:
Anglican - New Castle - George Ross - Declaration of Independence - Gunning Bedford - Governor of Delaware

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In 1763 John Penn, the Proprietary Governor appointed Read Crown Attorney General for the three Delaware counties and he served in that position until leaving for the Continental Congress in 1774. He also served in the Delaware General Assembly as well for twelve sessions, from 1765 through 1776.

Related Topics:
1763 - John Penn - Proprietary Governor - Attorney General - Continental Congress - 1774 - Delaware General Assembly

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