Born on 28 December 1806 at Doncaster, Yorkshire, England, the son of Samuel Reed, postmaster, and his wife Mary, nee Rockliff. Arrived At Hobart, Van Diemen's Land in April 1827 per "Tiger". Became a wealthy merchant with shipping and whaling interests. Was a local preacher. Possibly made a trip to Portland Bay in 1831 and preached to whaling crews. Returned to England in 1831. He married on 22 October 1831 at St. James, Westminster, London, England to his cousin, Maria Susanna Grubb. Returned to Van Diemen's Land in 1832. Visited England again c1834. Probably the first person to preach at Melbourne when he visited Port Phillip in 1835 and preached to the early settlers. Returned to England in 1847 per "Lochnager". His wife died in 1860. He married secondly on 17 March 1863 at St. John's Church, Paddington, London, England to Margaret Sayers Elizabeth Frith, daughter of William Frith, Esquire, of Enniskillen, Ireland. Gave assistance to General Booth in the formation of the Salvation Army. Returned to Tasmania in December 1873 and purchased 'Mount Pleasant', near Launceston. Died on 10 October 1880 at his residence, 'Mount Pleasant', Tasmania and was buried in a private vault at 'Mount Pleasant', Tasmania.

[marriage (second) certificate; death certificate; Australian Dictionary of Biography (Vol. 2); Gill Engraved in Memory]

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