Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-04-30

Urgannr, ignoique iongs
Noee, carent Quia vato iacro.n
ilor lib. w. Carm IN.
Many brave men and true lived among ~ beside the
kalihnl heyne but they have nearly passed Into otiiv
ION. Tor lack OF Vigilant and faithful chroniclers
Rev. Thomas Read d. d., was born in March
lI4O. in Nottingham township, Chester county
His parents were Scotch Irish immigrants, fl ON
the north OF ireland, They were in prosperous
circumstances, and gave their children the best
opportunities which the country afforded, for the
culture of their minds. Thomas Read WAS etlu
Gated at the Philadelphia Academy under the
charge Of DR.. Francis Alison, who had then re
Gently removed from New London, Chester coun-
~, TO Philadelphia. He graduated in lIGI anil
was for time, Tutor in the Newark Academy,
in the State Of Delaware. In 1868, he was
licensed as a Presbyterian minister, aud was
Pastor Of the churh at Drawers Greek, in Dea.
ware, nom that time until 1888, when he re.
moved 10 Wilmington, Delaware, and became
Pastor Of the Second Presbyterian Church of
that place. He filled this position uniil 1917,
when he resigned, He afterwards preached. rs
his health PERMITTED, for the First presbyterian
Church Of Wilmington which was without II Pas
tor, In the Revolutionary war, he was an
earnest, active patriot and heartily espouscd the
cause Of his country. In l116, he and some fity
others,-neighbors and members of his congre.
CATION, shouldered their muskets, and mat chcd
10 Philadelphia. The success which had then
recently attended the American arms, at Trenton
and Princeton, rendered their services at that
particular juncture, unnecessary, and they re-
turned to their homes. On the 10Th of August,
LII, the British army landed at Elkton, Gen.
Washington was encamped near Stanton, some
six miles below Wilmington. A skirmish be-
tween the outposts, about four miles from the
American encampment gave iAiimation Of the
proximity Of the enemy The position Of Il 9
American army was such as to render it exceed
ingly dangerous TO give battle, and to retreat ly
the great road, with the disciplined British army
In the rear, was still more dangerous. Gen,
Washington made preparations Tor departure,
but was at loss how to relieve himself from
the difficult position 10 which he has placed.
The Typographical knowledge OF the people Of
the neighborhOod Was very limited, and he could
obtain but little information upon which he
could presume to act. AT night, counsel oil
war was held and while the greatest ANXIETY
prevailed, enc of Gen. Washington's staff CANT
in and exclaimed, al know the man that can ex
tricate u.s." mount and bring him without mo
menl's delay" was the immediate order Of Gen
Washington. The officer went to the house 0
Rev. Thomas Read, the subject Of this sketch
then residing about Eve miles distant, rouseI
him from his bed, and brought her under Will
and spur to the camp. lie drafted on paper 70
Gen Washington, the whole adjacent country
with which he was very familiar with all th
crossroads and by-ways. The army was i'm
mediately put in motion, and a safe retreat mad
to ChaddsfOrd, where, on the llth Of Septem
Der, the Battle Of BrandyWine was fought-Ii
1896, Thomas Read received from Princeto
College, the degree Of Doctor of Divinity. II
was twice ed,-frst, to an English lady c
r the name OF Stanley, and second, to Mary SiuaI
> Of Bohemia Manor, Maryland, who survived hin
He was man Of commanding appearance, an
OF remarkably dignifed mauuers a learned the
olOgian, and of substantial and enduring worth
: Among the people to whom lie ministered, h
/ was regarded with great reverence. lie die
June A. 1928. His widow died December i
1916, at the age of cighty-four.