| Notes |
- Excerpted from the Transactions of the Historical Society of Berks County 1898-1904.
"Just before the outbreak of the Revolution, viz., in 1774. Michael Bright was elected one of the commissioners of Berks county, which office he held for three years. It was at that time a position of great importance and responsibility. As with the opening of hostilities thn Provincial Assembly had ceased to meet, the committee of safety at Philadelphia had assumed its 'powers and under their authority with representatives from the several counties, the commissioners were empowered not only to levy the quota of troops required for the Continental army, but to provide for their support. The records show that repeated levies of taxes were made by the commissioners during the war in order to raise funds to arm and provision the troops which were furnished by the county. It was while acting as commissioner in December, 1774 that Michael Bright was appointed as one of the "Committee of Observation" for the county. The formation of this committee was recommended by the Congress of Deputies from the several colonies which met in Philadelphia in September, 1774. Pursuant to such recommendation a call was issued for a meeting of the voters of the county. It was held at the court house in the town of Reading on December 5, 1774, when fifteen prominent citizens were chosen to act on said committee. Among the associates of Mr. Bright were Edward Biddle, Esq., Christian Schultze, Balser Geehr, Mark Burd, George Nagle, Sebastian Levan and others. The duties of this committee were to collect funds for the relief of the citizens of Boston, to watch those who were disaffected and require them to give up their arms, and in general to provide for the common defense.
Before the close of the war Mr.Bright had acquired considerable real estate consisting largely of out-lots and small tracts of land near the town. These he farmed up to the time of his death, housing his stock, horses and cattle in the extensive stabling on the rear of his Callowhill street residence. In 1810 he sold to his son David for the consideration of £400, the vacant part of his lot No. 391, lying immediately north of his house. It contained 28 feet in front on Fifth street by 230 feet in depth. Upon the lot David was then erecting a three- story brick dwelling for himself and family. It is still standing and was occupied by him until his death in 1846.
Michael Bright had four children by his second wife, viz., Sarah, David, Peter and John, the last two dying in the lifetime of their parents. He died at Reading August 1, 1814, his widow surviving him but a few months. They were both buried in the Reformed graveyard on the northeast corner of Sixth and Washington streets, and their remains were afterwards removed to the Bright lot in the Charles Evans cemetery where the original tombstones to their memory still stand."
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1732 - 1814 (82 years)
