Joseph Reed (jurist)
| Joseph Reed | |
|---|---|
 |
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| 3rd President of Pennsylvania | |
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In office December 1, 1778 – November 16, 1781 |
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| Preceded by | George Bryan |
| Succeeded by | William Moore |
| Member, Continental Congress | |
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In office 1775–1778 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
August 27, 1741 Trenton, New Jersey |
| Died | March 5, 1785 (aged 43) Philadelphia |
| Spouse(s) | Esther de Berdt |
| Profession | statesman, lawyer, military officer |
| Signature |  |
Joseph Reed (August 27, 1741 – March 5, 1785) was a lawyer, military officer and statesman of the Revolutionary Era who lived the majority of his life in Pennsylvania. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and, while in Congress, signed the Articles of Confederation. He served as President of Pennsylvania's Supreme Executive Council, a position analogous to the modern office of Governor.
Reed was born in Trenton, New Jersey, the son of Andrew Reed, a shopkeeper and merchant, and Theodosia Bowes. His grandfather, Joseph Reed (1650–1727), was born in Carrickfergus, County Antrim in Ulster and settled in West Jersey His brother, Bowes Reed (1740–1794), would serve as a colonel in the Revolutionary War and as Secretary of State of New Jersey. The family moved to Philadelphia shortly after Reed's birth and, as a boy, Reed was enrolled at Philadelphia Academy (later to be known as the University of Pennsylvania). He received his bachelor's degree from the College of New Jersey (later known as Princeton University) in 1757 and, soon after, began his professional education under . In the summer of 1763, Reed sailed for England, where, for two years, he continued his studies in law at Middle Temple in London.
During the course of his studies, Reed became romantically attached to Esther de Berdt, the daughter of the agent for the Province of Massachusetts Bay, Dennis de Berdt. De Berdt, though very fond of Reed, was aware of the law student's intention to return to Philadelphia and initially refused consent for Esther to marry Reed. Reed returned to the Colonies with only a tenuous engagement to Esther, and with an understanding that he would return to settle permanently in Great Britain shortly after. After the death of his father, Reed finally returned to London to find that Esther's father had died during Reed's return trip to Britain. Reed and Esther married in May 1770 at Saint Luke's, Cripplegate, near the City of London. Finding the de Berdt family in financial difficulties, Reed remained in London long enough to help settle his wife's family's affairs. Together with the widowed Mrs. de Berdt, Esther and Reed sailed for North America in October 1770.
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