Library of Congress

READ, Jacob, a Delegate and a Senator from South Carolina; born at “Hobcaw” plantation in Christ Church Parish, near Charleston, S.C., in 1752; completed preparatory studies; studied law and was admitted to the bar; studied in England 1773-1776; joined other Americans in London in 1774 in a petition against the Boston port bill; returned to the United States and served South Carolina in various military and civil capacities during the Revolutionary War; sent with other Americans as a prisoner of the British to St. Augustine 1780-1781; member, State assembly 1782, and of the privy council 1783; Member of the Continental Congress 1783-1785; member, South Carolina house of representatives and served as speaker; elected as a Federalist to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1795, to March 3, 1801; unsuccessful candidate for reelection; served as President pro tempore of the Senate during the Fifth Congress; died in Charleston, S.C., July 17, 1816; interment in the family cemetery at "Hobcaw," in Christ Church Parish, near Charleston, S.C.