Changes

'''Button Gwinnett''' (1735-1777) was a signer of the [[Declaration of Independence]]. From [[Georgia]], he represented the state, along with fellow Georgians [[George Walton]] and [[Lyman Hall]], in the [[Continental Congress]]. After the death of Georgia [[governor]] Archibald Bulloch in 1777, Gwinnett was appointed the new governor. After a failed foray into [[British]]-controlled East [[Florida]], he was not re-elected after one term.  Gwinnett was killed in a [[duel]] in 1777 with Lachlan McIntosh, a man who had been publicly criticizing Gwinnett for his failed attempt to take East Florida.

'''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 Documents:=[[Declaration of Independence]]<br>Georgia's Constitution

 

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.

 

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.

 

As fate would have it, a dual over personal honor was proposed outside of Savanna. On May 16, 1777, both men were shot in the dual but only Gwinnett couldn't recover he would die three days later.

==References==

==References==

*[http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-2543 Gwinnett's biography in the New Georgia Encyclopedia]

*[http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-2543 Gwinnett's biography in the New Georgia Encyclopedia]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gwinnett, Button}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gwinnett, Button}}

[[Category:Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:Georgia Governors]]

[[Category:Georgia Governors]]

[[Category:Signers of the Declaration of Independence]]

[[Category:Signers of the Declaration of Independence]]