Joseph Reed (August 27, 1741 – March 5, 1785) was an American lawyer, military officer, politician, and Founding Father of the United States.

He served as aide-de-camp to George Washington, as adjutant general of the Continental Army and fought in several key battles during the American Revolutionary War.

He served as the third President of Pennsylvania's Supreme Executive Council, a position analogous to the modern office of Governor, from 1778 to 1781.

[1] His grandfather, Joseph Reed, was a wealthy merchant born in Carrickfergus, County Antrim in Ulster who settled in West Jersey.

He worked as an assistant to Dennys de Berdt, a former agent for his father and the colonial representative for New England.

Reed wrote: "What do you think of a Flag with a white Ground, a tree in the middle, the motto: "Appeal to Heaven".

"[6][7] In June 1775, Reed served as Adjutant-General of the Continental Army with the rank of colonel and fought in the Battle of Long Island.

[11] On December 1, 1778, he was elected President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, a position analogous to the modern office of governor.

[5] Reed oversaw the gradual abolition of slavery in Pennsylvania and the awarding of Revolutionary soldiers with lifelong "half-pay".

Reed carried on a public feud with Benedict Arnold, who was the military commander of Philadelphia at the time.

[12] After leaving the office of president of the Supreme Council, he served as one of the lawyers who defended Pennsylvania's claim to the Wyoming Valley in a land dispute from the state of Connecticut.

[13] The Reeds would have five children: Joseph, who would become a prominent lawyer; Denis de Berdt; George Washington, who would become a Navy commander; Esther; and Martha.