George Read (September 18, 1733-September 21, 1798) was a signer of the Declaration of Independence; a signer of the U.S. Constitution; a delegate from Delaware to the Constitutional Convention; a U.S. Senator, 1789-93; and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Delaware.
As a youth, George Read studied at the seminary of Rev. Dr. Allison at New London. At the age of 17, he began reading law with John Moland Esq., and two years later was admitted to the bar. In 1769, he married the daughter of Reverend George Ross, who was the pastor of Immanuel Church in Newcastle for 50 years.
George Read's wife was described as:
<Beautiful, her manners elegant and her piety exemplary.> 1733GR001 Known as "the Father of Delaware," George Read wrote "the first edition of her laws," and the Constitution of the State. The requirements, stated in the Delaware Constitution, necessary for holding office include:
<DELAWARE 1776. Article XXII. Every person who shall be chosen a member of either house, or appointed to any office or place of trust...shall...make and subscribe the following declaration, to wit: "I, , do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by divine inspiration."> 1733GR002
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1733GR001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). George Read. J.C. Judson, A Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence (Philadelphia: Dobson & Thomas, 1839), p. 85. Tim LaHaye, Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Brentwood, TN: Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Publishers, Inc., 1987), pp. 179-180. R.P. Bristol, The American Bibliography of Charles Evans, Vol. 14 (Portsmouth [1785] Broadside: LOC Microfilm Library, November 24, 1785), #01291, Reel 224. Tim LaHaye, Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Brentwood, TN: Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Publishers, Inc., 1987), p. 180.
1733GR002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). George Read, 1776, Constitution of the State of Delaware, Article XXII. The Constitutions of the Several Independent States of America-Published by Order of Congress (Boston: Norman & Bowen, 1785), pp. 99-100. Church of the Holy Trinity v. U.S. 143 US 457, 469-470 (1892). Frances Newton Thorpe, ed., Federal and State Constitutions, Colonial Charters, and Other Organic Laws of the States, Territories, and Colonies now or heretofore forming the United States, 7 vols. (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1905; 1909; St. Clair Shores, MI: Scholarly Press, 1968), Vol. I, p. 142. M.E. Bradford, A Worthy Company (NH: Plymouth Rock Foundation, 1982), p. x. Tim LaHaye, Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Brentwood, TN: Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Publishers, Inc., 1987), pp. 180- 181. Gary DeMar, "Censoring America's Christian History" (Atlanta, GA: The Biblical Worldview, An American Vision Publication-American Vision, Inc., July 1990), p. 7. "Our Christian Heritage," Letter from Plymouth Rock (Marlborough, NH: The Plymouth Rock Foundation), p. 3. Gary DeMar, America's Christian History: The Untold Story (Atlanta, GA: American Vision Publishers, Inc., 1993), pp. 67-68.