Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-03-04
FIRST EDITION.
Delaware Historical society.

MEMORIAL OF THE LATE WILLIAM T. READ.
At the last stated meeting of the Historica
Society of Delaware, Doctor Askew, for the Com
mlttee on Resolutions, read the following memoi
of the late William T. Read, written by Georg
b. Rodney, Esq of New Castle
| WILLIAM t. READ, ESQ.
Mr.. Read was tile son of the late GeoIgt
Read, and the grandson OF the signer of III,
| Declaration of Independence of that name. Hi
i father was considered one of tho most profount
In his day at the Delaware bar. and educated hii
two oldest sons, George and William I. for that
| profession.
The latter was born at New Castle, Augus
22d, 1892, and after the usual academic instruc-
tion finishedh his education at Princeton, where he
graduated about the year 1916, being a cass-mate
of the late Chancellor Johns, Of this State. The
war with England came on coon after, and Afr,
Read joined volunteer company, under the
command OF Cesar A. Rodney, and marched into
the State Of Maryland and encamped below Elk
ton for some time, when the British ships came
up the Chesapeake Bay, but the enemy soon re-
firing, the company returned TO New Castle.
MIR. Read studed law and was admitted TO the
bar, but finding the profession unsuted to his
retiring disposition ho never practiced much al
though later In life he renewed his acquaintance
with tho details of his profession and engaged
in 1t for several years.
During the administration OF James Monroe
and after the Acknowledgment Of the indepen-
dence OF the South American States, Mr.. Read
went out as Secretary to the Hon. Caesar A. Rod
ney, one of the Commissioners sent by our gov
ernment to Buenos Ayres to negotiate a COM
mefcial treaty, and continued in that employ
ment until the commission had fulfilled its OBJ
ject. While in that country he enjoyed the
opportunity given him to study and observe the
customs and habits of the people, making fire.
quent excursions over the immense plains that
abound in it. After his return home he shortly
after married the sister OF the late Governor
Charles Thomas, with whom he lived most hapi-
ly for over forty years, as she died about two
years since.
Mr.. Read was fond Of a country life, and being
80 blessed in his domestic relations, he lived for
some years after his marriage upon farm near
New Castle, and only left ii on being appointed
to situation In the Treasury Department at
Washington. D. O, while the Hon. Louis Nc
Lane was Secretary. he returned from WASH
ington on the death Of his father, in 1886, and
ever after lived in and near New Castle.
For several years Mr.. Read served as a mem
Der OF the Legislature of this State, and In that
capacity discharged the various duties of his po-
stion with entire satisfaction to the people OF
this county. He had Withdrawn from all public
or professional employment for many years be-
fore his DEATH and employed his leisure hours
in the pursuit of literature and classical learning.
He was fond of History and Biography, aud hav-
ing in his possession his fathers and grand
fathers private papers and correspondence, he
set about tho work Of collecting and arranging
them with view to publication, and which
ended in his writing in connection there
with, life of his distinguished grand
father, and sons of the other leading men
of our own State who lived at that period In
the composition of this work, Mr.. Read was en-
gagged several years and visited various places
in this State and elsewhere in making researches
and collecting materials, and when he had
brought it to a close he did not venture upon
his own estimate of its value to send it out to
the world, but put his manuscript in the hands
ion OF its mcrits and among others, Mr.. Ban
croft, the hiatorian. who advised its publication.
lie had reason to be gratifed with the result Of
his labols, as the work was well received by the
reading public. and will remain in favor, as the
memorial of our great struggle became oblltera-
ted by the lapse Of years. This work, by devel-
oping moro of the private history of our eminent
public men, wilt help to supply want generally
e
TO limit a notice OF Mr.. Read to his position
as man of letteis and writer, would be to
place too low an estimate upon his character.
Combined with a mind well cultivated lie pos
sessed moral qualities which give to other en-
dowments their highest valuo. He was pure
man, unblamable in his conduct, and irreproach-
able as a christian professor; simple In habits
affable and courteous in manner I'm HE inter-
course with others he never lost sight OF the
dignity and sobriety which became his profession
as member OF the church For many years
he was member Of Emmanuel church, and de-
voted himself TO the advancement Of her spirit
ual interests with zeal and energy which con-
tinued as long as he lived, and in every good
work for the advancement Of the spiritual good
OF others. He was always foremost, and made
by his will liberal bequests for the Parish and
for the Episcopate OF the Diocese. His death
will cause a vacancy in the church and the loss
OF wiso counsellor and ready oo-operator in
her work, which will not easily be supplied.
II should be added that Mr.. Read was, from
it's organization an interested and valued mem
ber Of the Historical Society OF Delaware, and
at his decease was one of Its Vice Presidents,
historical materials collected by the society,
among which was a paper read before the So
eiety on the oath OF September, 1868, and after
wards published in pamphlet containing some
interesting and valuable "Reminiscences from the
early history OF Delaware and Maryland. His
deceaee Is loss to the community which 1t will
be difficult TO supply.
After The reading Of the memorial the follow
ing resolutions were adopted, and ordered to be
published. -
ResolUed That the Historical Society of Della
ware has heard with profound sorrow OF the de-
Cease OF VIM. T. Read, Esq, late one of its MEM
bers and one Of it's Vice Presidents; and we re-
cognize In this dispensation the loss OF ono Of
our most useful and valued fellow workers in
the cause for which this Society was organized.
Res0lUed, That We place,upon record our tes-
timony to Mr. Reads excellent attainments in
scholarship and general literature, his urbanity
and refinement in social intercourse, the rafe
purity and consistency Of his Christian life, and
his unbemished character as q man In all re-
spects; although kept for the most part by his
modesty and quiet-loving tastes in private life
the value OF his presence and example and intiu-
ence to the community in which he lived AT be,
yond estimate. and his loss must be long and
ksenly felt.-Egtract from he minutes of he
society.