Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
George Read (1733-1798) was a delegate from Delaware to the Continental Congress. Following the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Read was elected president (governor) of Delaware, a position he held until 1778. He then served on the House of Assembly in the early 1780s before being elected in 1782 to the Court of Appeals in Cases of Capture. He also served as a U.S. Senator and Chief Justice of Delaware, a position he held until his death in 1798.
The letter, dated May 17, 1776, regards a packet for a woman named Mrs. Thompson. Read explains that he is in Wilmington, Delaware "detained by an alarm" that there may be danger on the Delaware River. Although he is supposed to be meeting people outside of Wilmington, Read assures the recipient that he will not leave the city before the river is clear of the threat.
Transcription
About This Item
- Title: George Read on his detainment, Delaware, 1776
- Creator: George Read
- Creation Date: 1776-05-17
- Subject Date: 1776-05-17
- Location: Wilmington, New Castle County, DE
- Media: Ink on paper
- Dimensions: 28.7 cm x 20.4 cm
- Local Code: Coll. 420, Box 59/15
- Collection: John S. H. Fogg autograph collection
- Object Type: Text
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Declaration Of Independence. United States--Signers
- Delaware River (N.Y.-Del. and N.J.)
- Founding Fathers of the United States
- United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783
- United States. Continental Congress
People
Other Keywords
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website
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