Bowes Reed

Bowes Reed (November 1740 – July 20, 1794) was an American Revolutionary War officer, politician, and public servant from New Jersey. He was the brother of Joseph Reed, a member of the Continental Congress and President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania (equivalent to Governor).

Early life and career Reed was born in November 1740 in Trenton, New Jersey (then part of Hunterdon County) to Andrew Reed, a shopkeeper and merchant, and Theodosia Bowes. In 1767, he was appointed surrogate of Hunterdon County, and he later resided in Burlington. In 1773, he was licensed as an attorney-at-law, but he never became a counsellor.

Career In June 1776, at the beginning of the American Revolution, the Provincial Congress of New Jersey appointed Reed Lieutenant Colonel of the battalion to be raised in Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland and Burlington counties. One of his duties was the guarding of William Franklin, the last Colonial Governor of New Jersey, who had been taken prisoner. In September 1776, he was commissioned Colonel of the First Regiment of Burlington, resigning in March 1778.