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'''Button Gwinnett''' (b. circa 1732-1735 <ref>[http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/gwinnett.htm Button Gwinnett, USHistory.org]</ref> - d. May 19, 1777) was a signer of the [[Declaration of Independence]]. Gwinnett was president of Georgia's Revolutionary Council of Safety, developed Georgia's Constitution which was ratified. He led a failed invasion of British East Florida. He was killed in a duel with his arch-enemy Colonel Lachlan McIntosh.  

'''Button Gwinnett''' (b. circa 1732-1735 <ref>[http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/gwinnett.htm Button Gwinnett, USHistory.org]</ref> - d. May 19, 1777) was a signer of the [[Declaration of Independence]]. Gwinnett was president of [[Georgia]]'s Revolutionary Council of Safety, developed Georgia's Constitution which was ratified. He led a failed invasion of British East [[Florida]]. He was killed in a duel with his arch-enemy Colonel Lachlan McIntosh.  

{{Founding Fathers

{{Founding Fathers

==Early Life==  

==Early Life==  

Button Gwinnett was born in England. Not much is said of his childhood though as a young man he became a merchant . Some time after his marriage in England moved to Charleston, South Carolina and became a landowner in Georgia soon after. Gwinnett staked his personal fortune in the welfare of the colonies.  

Button Gwinnett was born in England. Not much was said of his childhood though as a young man he became a merchant. Some time after his marriage in [[England]], he moved to Charleston, [[South Carolina]] and became a landowner in Georgia. Gwinnett staked his personal fortune in the welfare of the colonies.  

==Politics==

==Politics==

First foray into government was his election victory for Commons House of Assembly in 1769. In 1776, he was elected by the general assembly congress in Savannah, Georgia. <ref>[http://colonialhall.com/gwinnett/gwinnett.php http://colonialhall.com/gwinnett/gwinnett.php Button Gwinnett, ColonialHall.com]</ref> Also in 1776, he was appointed commander of Georgia's continental militia. This action was hotly contested by Colonel Lackland M'Intosh, brigadier general of the continental brigade. Subsequently, Gwinnett resigned and represented the Continental Congress, signing the Declaration. When he returned home Gwinnett was elected president in Georgia. Once again, he took control of the continental militia and the rivalry with M'Intosh ensued.  With the assumption of great power, he relieved General M'Intosh of his troops. Gwinnett led an expedition force against British East Florida. His actions failed miserably it was thwarted by Lachlan McIntosh and his brother George. Gwinnett was charged with malfeasance but acquitted. Subsequently the public soured on him, Gwinnett would lose election for Governor.  

Button Gwinnett first foray into government was his election victory for Commons House of Assembly in 1769. In 1776, he was elected by the general assembly congress in Savannah, Georgia. <ref>[http://colonialhall.com/gwinnett/gwinnett.php http://colonialhall.com/gwinnett/gwinnett.php Button Gwinnett, ColonialHall.com]</ref> Also in 1776, he was appointed commander of Georgia's continental militia. This action was hotly contested by Colonel Lackland M'Intosh, brigadier general of the continental brigade. Subsequently, Gwinnett resigned and represented the [[Continental Congress]], signing the Declaration. When he returned home Gwinnett was elected president in Georgia. Once again, he took control of the continental militia and the rivalry with M'Intosh ensued.  With the assumption of great power, he relieved General M'Intosh of his troops. Gwinnett led an expedition force against British East Florida. His actions failed miserably it was thwarted by Lachlan McIntosh and his brother George. Gwinnett was charged with malfeasance but acquitted. Subsequently the public soured on him, Gwinnett would lose election for Governor.  

==Death==

==Death==