Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-03-08

hOhoAhS Sh""N
Delaware Historical Society.
iEMoRIAL OF THE LATE WILLIAM 7. READ.
At the last stated meeting of the His
orical Society of Delaware, Doctor
Aslkcw, for the Committee on Resolutions,
cad the following memoir of the late
william T. Read, written by George B.
Rodney, Esq, Of New Castle'-
WILLIAM T. READ, ESQ.
Mr.. Read was the son of the late George \
Read, and the grandson of the siguer
of the Declaration of Independence Of
that name. His father was considered one
of the most profound, in his day, at the
Delaware bar, and educated his two Oldest |
sons, George and William T., for that pro-
fessiOn.
The latter was born at New Castle,
August 22d, 1892, and after the usual |
academic instruction finished his educa-
ton at Princeton, where he graduated |
about the year 1910, being a class-matc of |
the late Chancellor Johns, Of this State |
The war with England came on soon after, |
and Mr.. Read Joined volunteer Company, !
under the command of Caesar A. Rodney,
and marched into the State of Maryland
aud encampcd below Elkton for some time,
when the British ships came up the
Chesapeake Bay, but, the enemy soon re-
firing, tho company returned to New
Castle.
Mr. Read studied law and was admitted
TO the bar, but iilding the profession un
suited 10 his retiring disposition he never
practiced much, although later in life he
renewed his acquaintance with the details
of his profession and engaged in it for
several years.
During the administration of James
Monroe and after the acknowledgment of
the independence of the South American
States, Mr.. Read went out as Secretary to
the Hon. Caesar A. Rodney one of the
Commissioners sent by our government TO
BuenOs Ayres to negotiate commercial
treaty, and continued in that employment
until the commission had fulfilled its oh
iect. While in that country he enjoyed
the opportunity given him to study and
observe the customs and habits of the
people making frequent excursions over
the immense plains that abound in it.
After his return home be shortly after
married the sister of the late Governor
Charles Thomas, with whom he lived most
| happily for over 40 years, as she died about
two years since.
Mr.. Read was fond OF country life,
and being so blessed in his domestic r,la.
lions, he lived for some years after his
marriage upon farm uCar New Castle
and Gully left il on being appointed to
situation in the Treasury Department at
| Washington, d. G while the Hon. Louis
McLane was Secretary. He returned fom
! Washington on he death Of his father,
in 1856, and ever after lived in and near
| New Castle.
For several years Mr.. Read served as a
I law I'll.
this Stale, and in. that capacity
discharged the various duties of his posi-
ton with entire satisfaction to the people
of this county. lie had withdrawn from
all pubic or professional employment for
many years before his death, and employed
his leisure hours in the pursuit of litera-
ture and classical learning. lie was fond
of History and Biography, and having in
bis possession his fathers and grand
fathers private papers and correspondence,
he set about The work Of collecting and
arranging them with view to publication,
and which ended in his wiling in conncc-
lion therewth, fife of his distinguished
grandfather and some of thes other led
ing men Of our own State, who lived at
that period. 10 the composition of this
work, Mr. Read was engaged several years
and Ni-iled various pla, Is in this Siutt
anu tlhNNuAlN III lhbkluk researches
and collecting materials, and when
he had brought it to close he did
not venture upon his own estimate of
its value 10 send 1t out to the world,
but put his manuscript in the hands OF
those persons best qualified 10 form an
opinion of its me,its, and among Others,
Mr.. Bancroft, the historian, who advised
its publication. He had reason to be
gratiiied with the result Of his labors, as
the work was well received by the reading
public, and will remain in favor as the
memorials of our gIeat struggle become
oblterated by the lapse Of years. This
work, by developing more of the private
history of our eminent public men, will
help to supply want generally acknOwl.
edged.
To limit notice of MIR. Read to his
position AS man of letters and a writer
would be TO place too low an estimate
upon his character. Combined with a
mind well cultivated he possessed moral
qualities which give to other endow nenta
their highest value. He was n pure man.
unblamable IN his conduct, and irreproach-
able Rs christian professor: simple in
habite, allable aud courteous in manner.
In his Intercourse with Others he never
lost sight of the dignity and sobriuty which
became bis profession as member oil
the church. For many years he was q
member of Emmanuel Protestant Episco
pal Church, ard devoted himself to tho
advancement of her spiritual INTEREST,"
with a zeal and energy which continue
as long as he lived. In every good work
for the advancement Of tie spiritual good
of others, he was ALWAYS foremost, and
, made by his will liberal requests for The
Parish aud for The EpscOpate of the
Diocese. His death will cause vacancy
in the Church and the loss Of wise coun.
sellor and ready cO-operator in her work
; which will not easily be supplied
IL should be added that Mr.. Read was
from its organization, an Interested and
valued member Of the Historical Societ,
of Delaware, and at his decease was one
> of its Vice Presidents. He made some
, important contributions TO the historical
materials collected by the society, among
which was paper read before the society
on the cath of September, 1868, and after
wards published in pamphlet containing
some interesting and valuable reminiscent
ces from the carly history of Delaware ant
Maryland. His decease is n loss to tn,
community which ii will be difficult t
supply.
!, After the reading of the memorial th,
following resolutions were adopted, and
, ordered - be published -
Resolved, That the Historical Society o
Delaware has heard with profound sorrow
! the decease of VIM. T. Read, Esq, late on,
= of it's members, and one of its Vice Presi
: dents; and we recognize in this dispensatiOf
the loss Of one of our most useful and valuet
fellow workers in the cause for which thii
! Society was organized.
r ReSolred, That we place upon record ou
j testimony To Mr.. Reads excellent attain
. ments in scholarship and general literature
. his urbanity and refinement in social inter
course, the rare purity and consistency o
{ his Christian life, and his unhlemished char
5 acter rs man in all respects although KEEP
/ for the most part by his modesty and que
loving tastes in private lie, the value OF hi
, presence and example and influence to tn,
community in which he lived are beyont
estimats, aud his loss must he long and X eenll
felt,