Signers of the Declaration of Independence Button Gwinnett lyman hall George Walton

1. Georgia’s Representatives at the Second Continental Congress Signers of the Declaration of IndependenceButton Gwinnettlyman hallGeorge Walton

2. Second Continental Congress…What Happened at the First? • The First Continental Congress was a convention of representatives from twelve of the British colonies that met on September 5, 1774, in Philadelphia. • It was called in response to the passage of the Intolerable Acts by the British Parliament.

3. Second Continental Congress…What Happened at the First? • The Congress was attended by 55 members appointed by the legislatures of twelve of the Thirteen Colonies • Georgia did not send a representative because it was hoping for British assistance with Indian problems on its frontier. • John Reynolds was the Royal Governor… he was loyal to the King and tried to keep Georgia out of the protests and Revolution… he was the governor that was arrested and then came back when Savannah was recaptured during the Revolution.

4. Second Continental Congress…What Happened at the First? • The Congress had two primary accomplishments. • The first was an agreement among the colonies to boycott British goods beginning on December 1, 1774. • The second accomplishment of the Congress was to agree to meet again for a Second Continental Congress on May 10, 1775. • In addition to the colonies which had sent delegates to the First Continental Congress, the Congress to send letters of invitation to Quebec, Saint John's Island (now Prince Edward Island), Nova Scotia, Georgia, East Florida, and West Florida. • None of these sent delegates to the opening of the second Congress. Georgia’s representatives arrived in July.

5. Second Continental Congress • The American Revolution began on April 19, 1775 in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. • The Second Continental Congress started meeting on May 10, 1775.

6. Second Continental Congress • Managed the war effort by • Raising an army • Directing strategy • Appointing diplomats • Making treaties • Created and adopted the Declaration of Independence

7. Georgia’s Role • Georgia did not participate in the First Continental Congress and initially did not send delegates to the second. • Eventually, Georgia sent 3 delegates to it.

8. Lyman Hall- Early Life • Was born in 1734 in Connecticut and graduated from Yale University. • Was a minister before giving it up to practice medicine. • Moved to Georgia in 1760

9. Lyman Hall at the Second Continental Congress • Was the only Georgia representative at the Second Continental Congress in 1775 • He participated in debates, but did not vote because he did not represent the entire state… just his parish, St. Johns • Once other GA representative joined him, he voted for independence from England and signed the Declaration.

10. Lyman Hall After the Declaration of Independence • Returned to Georgia • Elected Governor in 1783 • Helped establish the University of Georgia • Hall county in named in his honor.

11. Button Gwinnett- Early Life • Born in England in 1735 • Arrived in Georgia in 1765 • Bought St. Catherine’s Island… Mary Musgrove’s former home. • Became involved in Georgia politics in 1769 but withdrew from it due to financial problems in 1773

12. Button Gwinnett at the Second Continental Congress • Got back into politics during the Revolutionary War period. • Arrived to Second Continental Congress on July 20 after Georgia held Provincial Congress and decided to send delegates • Strongly supported Independence from England

13. Button Gwinnett After the Declaration of Independence • Helped create and pass the Georgia Constitution of 1777 • Hoped to become leader of the Georgia militia… appointment was given to Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh, a long time political rival • After McIntosh publically criticized Gwinnett, Gwinnett challenged him to a dual. The dual took place in May 1777. Both men shot one another; however, Gwinnett’s wounds were fatal. He died on May 19, 1777. • Gwinnett County was named in his honor.

14. Button Gwinnett’s Signature • Because Gwinnett died shortly after singing the Declaration of Independence, he is the signer with the fewest known signatures in existence (less than 30 examples of his signature are known to exist). Due to this, Gwinnett’s signature is highly sought after by autograph enthusiasts who want to have a complete set of autographs of all 56 signers. In 2010, a letter he wrote sold for $722,500.

15. George Walton- Early Life and atSecond Continental Congress • Born in Virginia around 1749 (exact year is not known) • Moved to Georgia in 1769 • Became successful lawyer • Arrived to Second Continental Congress on July 20 after Georgia held Provincial Congress and decided to send delegates

16. George Walton After Second Continental Congress • Served in militia and was captured by the British. • After being released in a prisoner exchange, he was elected governor • Served as governor for 2 months and was elected to Congress • After war, he served as Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, a second term as governor in 1789, a U.S. Senator, and as a superior court judge. • Walton county was named in his honor.

17. Georgia’s Signers of the Declaration of Independence Button Gwinnett *** George Walton *** Lyman Hall