American Revolution 34b
Button Gwinnett |
Button Gwinnett was very important to Georgia's history. He was born on April 12, 1735 in Gloucestershire England. In 1765, he came to Savannah as a merchant. Soon after, he bought St Catherine's Island and became a planter. He became very interested and fought for many rights. He was elected into the Common House of Assembly in 1769. He worked hard in this position, and was elected into the Continental Congress. He was replaced in the Common House of Assembly by Lachlan McIntosh, who was very jealous of Button Gwinnett. Button supported the separation from England and was on of the three Georgians to sign the Declaration of Independence. The names of the other two Georgians were Lyman Hall and George Walton. Button Gwinnett continued to work in politics, and died on May 19, 1977 in a gun dual against Lachlan McIntosh. The county we live in today is named after Button Gwinnett!
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