George Reade (October 25, 1608 – November 21, 1671) was a prominent landowner, military officer and politician who served as a member of the House of Burgesses and as Acting Governor of Virginia Colony. He is the great-great-grandfather of the first President of the United States, George Washington.
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Early life and family
Reade was born on October 25, 1608, in Linkenholt, Hampshire, England, the son of Robert Reade and Mildred Windebank Reade. He descended from Magna Charta Sureties. His paternal grandparents were Andrew Reade and Alice Cooke, and his maternal grandparents were Frances Dymoke and Sir Thomas Windebank. His uncle was Sir Francis Windebank, Secretary of State to King Charles I.
Career
After his mother died, Reade traveled to Virginia in January 1637, the 28 year old accompanied the colony's restored (but unpopular) governor John Harvey. Reade assisted and advised Harvey, worked closely with the colony's Secretary, Richard Kemp, and for a time resided at the governor's mansion. From 1638 to 1639, during Harvey's absence, Reade served as Acting Governor of Virginia, until Sir Francis Wyatt (royally appointed as Harvey's successor) arrived in the colony. Reade was later appointed as the colony's Secretary, when Kemp traveled to England (1640-1642). Reade also served as clerk of the Virginia Governor's Council.