BIOGRAPHIES

Source:
History of Berks County, Pennsylvania
 in the Revolution from 1774 to 1783,
by Morton L. Montgomery,
Vols. I & II,
publ. Reading, PA: Chas. F. Haage, Printer, Seventh and Court Streets,
1894

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Collinson Read	COLLINSON READ was one of the early leading attorneys of the Bar at Reading.  He was admitted to practice on Aug. 13, 1772.  "He distinguished himself as a profound lawyer, and his publications will be remembered in Pennsylvania with high regard, as well by the merchant and private gentleman, as by the members of the Bar.  He was one extensive erudition in the Greek, Latin, French and German languages.  In this accomplished gentleman, there was a peculiar kindness of heart that disarmed all enmity in his opponents, and his exertions of friendship, whether in or out of the profession, were ever judicious and such as made him beloved by all his acquaintances.  He died of pleurisy on Mar. 2, 1815, aged 62 years, after an illness of only two days." - (Weekly Advertiser, March 4, 1815.)      He officiated as register of wills of the county in 1775 and 1776.  The Standing Committee selected hi as their secretary in 1775, and he served this position until the close of the Revolution. Source:  History of Berks County, Pennsylvania in the Revolution from 1774 to 1783, by Morton L. Montgomery, Vols. I & II, publ. Reading, PA: Chas. F. Haage, Printer, Seventh and Court Streets, 1894 - Page 264
James Read	JAMES READ was born at Philadelphia.  He came to Reading upon the erection of berks County in 1852; and, by appointment from the Provincial Government, filled the county offices of prothonotary, recorder, register, clerk of Orphans' Court and clerk of the Quarter Sessions continuously from 1752 to 1776.  He was one of the first attorneys admitted to the Bar at Reading, and also practiced his profession while filling the offices named.  The official records are in his own handwriting and indicate that he was a man of careful habits.  He officiated as one of the justices of the county courts under the Provincial Government, and served as a member of the Supreme Executive Council for one term, from 1778 to 1781.  He resigned the office June 4, 1781, "on account of considerations of duty to his family," and his resignation was accepted the next day.  It would seem that he was after a higher office, for, on June 5th, he was one of six applicants for the position of Register of the Court of Admiralty and succeeded in making the appointment.  Subsequently, in 1787, he was again elected as a Councillor from Berks County, and continued until 1790.  Under the Constitution of 1776, he was elected in 1782 as a Censor to represent Berks County in the Council of Censors, who were "to inquire whether the Constitution was preserved inviolate in every part."  On Apr. 22, 1785, he was appointed flour inspector of Philadelphia, and reappointed on Apr. 22, 1789.  The numerous positions filled by him indicate that he was a man of recognized ability.  He owned a number of properties at Reading at different times.  I think he located at Philadelphia after 1790 and died there. Source:  History of Berks County, Pennsylvania in the Revolution from 1774 to 1783, by Morton L. Montgomery, Vols. I & II, publ. Reading, PA: Chas. F. Haage, Printer, Seventh and Court Streets, 1894 - Page 265
William Reeser	WILLIAM REESER was born in Bern township and carried on farming for a time.  He officiated as a county commissioner from 1757 to 1760, and after that time located at Reading.  In the beginning of the Revolution, he participated in the public meeting at Reading on July 2, 1774, and he was selected as one of the Committee of Correspondence.  In September, 1775, he presided at a meeting of divers inhabitants of the county, held at Reading, who had conscientious scruples against war, but expressed a willingness to contribute towards carrying it on.  He also served as one of the Judges of the county courts from 1778 to 1784.  During this time, he was busy in preparing last wills, for his name appears as a witness to many of them, indicating that he was a scrivener.  His handwriting was very legible and rather bold.  He died at Reading in June, 1785.  His residence occupied the site of the First National Bank, on Penn Square below Sixth street. Source:  History of Berks County, Pennsylvania in the Revolution from 1774 to 1783, by Morton L. Montgomery, Vols. I & II, publ. Reading, PA: Chas. F. Haage, Printer, Seventh and Court Streets, 1894 - Page 266