Read

The Read family consistently played an important role in American government and politics from the time that George Read, a Delaware resident, signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Throughout the 17th to 19th centuries, the Reads served as lawyers, judges, politicians, generals, consul-generals and foreign ministers.

John Read (1769-1854) was born on July 17, 1796 in New Castle, Delaware to George Read and Gertrude Ross Read. After graduating from the College of New Jersey in 1787 and studying law with his father, John worked as a lawyer; as agent general of the United States under Jay’s Treaty, a position for which he was appointed by President John Adams in 1797; city solicitor of Philadelphia; and member of common and select councils. During the War of 1812, John was “active in the defense of the Delaware against British invasion” (Reynolds, page 492). He served as a senator for Pennsylvania from 1816 to 1817 and was appointed, by the Pennsylvania Legislature, as the state director of the Philadelphia Bank. Later, he became president of the Philadelphia Bank. John’s brother, William Read, was a Philadelphia merchant who was involved in the China trade.

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