Joseph Reed

Joseph Reed was one of George Washington’s aides-de-camps in the Revolutionary War, rising to the rank of colonel.  Reed was considered by some to be a polarizing figure, which was demonstrated through his relationship with Washington and conflict with Benedict Arnold during the war. He later served in Congress as a Pennsylvanian delegate, signing the Articles of Confederation. Under the Articles of Confederation, he was elected as the third president of the state’s Supreme Executive Council from 1778 to 1781, which functioned similarly to the role of governor.

Reed was born in New Jersey in 1741. He received graduated from the College of New Jersey (present-day Princeton University) at the age of 16. Reed studied law informally under the direction of the New Jersey lawyer and politician Richard Stockton, before he attended Middle Temple in London.

While a student at the Middle Temple, he met Englishwoman Esther de Berdt, and the two married in 1770 before moving to Philadelphia. They would later share six children. In 1780, they named their newborn son after Washington  Like her husband, Esther de Berdt Reed became dedicated to the American revolutionary cause. In early 1780, she co-founded the Ladies Association of Philadelphia with Sarah Franklin Bache, Benjamin Franklin’s daughter, to raise money to provide support for Washington’s troops. She died later that year.

Before the Revolutionary War, Reed was a prominent lawyer. Some suspected he was a Loyalist, as he initially hoped for peaceful reconciliation with Britain and was married to an English woman. However, in the two years before the war, he was a member of Philadelphia’s Committee of Correspondence and as the president of Pennsylvania’s second Provincial Congress. In this role Reed met with Washington several times, Washington describing him as “sensible” and “a friend to his Country and to Liberty.”¹ As the conflict with Britain escalated, Reed joined the Continental Army.

In April 1775, Reed became a lieutenant colonel of the Continental Army and was soon promoted to adjutant-general as an aide-de-camp, or military secretary, to Washington. He assisted in planning the Battle of Trenton.² He also fought in the Battle of Princeton, Battle of Germantown, and Battle of Brandywine. Their frequent correspondence reflected a trusting relationship, until a letter to Reed from General Charles Lee was opened by Washington in December 1776. The letter revealed their doubts in Washington’s abilities as a commander following his defeat earlier that summer in New York City.³ Although Reed continued to serve under Washington, but Reed believed it strained their relationship at the time.⁴

After serving as an aide-de-camp, Reed shifted his focus to politics in Pennsylvania. With Washington’s approval, Reed began serving in the Continental Congress in the summer of 1777.⁵ He was one of five Pennsylvania delegates to sign the Articles of Confederation. The following year he was elected as president of the state’s Supreme Executive Council. In this role, he helped oversee the passage and implementation of America’s first gradual abolition statute in 1780, and ensured financial benefits to Pennsylvanian soldiers after the war.

While serving on the Supreme Executive Council, Reed engaged in a public feud with Benedict Arnold, who was the military commander of Philadelphia between 1778 and 1780. In February 1779, Reed accused Arnold with abusing his command in Philadelphia, later comparing the case similar to those against “oppressive Governors.”⁶ Washington directed the matter to be brought before Congress.⁷ In January 1780, Arnold was cleared of the most serious charges by a court-martial, but the proceedings damaged his reputation. Although Reed failed to convict Arnold, the highly publicized trial adversely effected his military career. This possibly contributed to Arnold’s decision to commit treason.

After Reed’s term on the Supreme Executive Council ended in 1781, he returned to practicing law. He was elected again to Congress in 1784, but declined due to poor health. Joseph Reed died in Philadelphia on March 5, 1785.

Keslie Easton, George Washington University, Revised by Zoie Horecny 20 March 2025

Notes:

1. “1775. Septr. 11. Sunday,” in “[September 1774],” Founders Online, National Archives.

2. “To George Washington from Colonel Joseph Reed, 12 December 1776,” Founders Online, National Archives.

3. “From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Reed, 30 November 1776,” Founders Online, National Archives.

4. “To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 4 June 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives.

5. “From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 11 June 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives.

6. “To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council, 24 April 1779,” Founders Online, National Archives.

7. “From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 9 February 1779,” Founders Online, National Archives.

Bibliography:

Bancroft, George. Joseph Reed: A Historical Essay. New York: W. J. Widdleton, 1867.

Chernow, Ron. Washington: A Life. Penguin Publishing Group, 2010.

Roberts, Cokie. Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation. New York: Harper Collins, 2005.