Midway in Liberty County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Button Gwinnett
Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 2, 2008
1. Button Gwinnett Marker
In this, Saint John's Parish, (now Liberty County), lived Button Gwinnett, signer of the Declaration of Independence, member of the Continental Congress, Speaker of the Assembly, and President of the Executive Council. He also was a member of the Convention that met in Savannah in October, 1776, in which he played a prominent part in drafting the first Constitution of the State of Georgia.
Born in Gloucestershire, England, in 1735, son of a Church of England vicar, Button Gwinnett came to Georgia in 1765 and acquired a store in Savannah. He shortly purchased St. Catherines Island in this parish. He moved to the island at once and engaged in farming and cattle raising. His business was transacted in Sunbury, then a thriving port.
On May 16, 1777, Mr. Gwinnett was mortally wounded in a duel fought on the outskirts of Savannah with Gen. Lachlan McIntosh, dying on May 19. Mr. Gwinnett's grave is supposedly in Savannah, but its exact location is unknown and unmarked. One of his rare autographs sold for over $50,000.
Erected 1954 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 089-2.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Patriots & Patriotism
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Location. 31° 48.324′ N, 81° 25.824′ W. Marker is in Midway, Georgia, in Liberty County. Marker is on U.S. 17. Marker is at Midway Church in Midway, Georgia. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Midway GA 31320, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Nathan Brownson (here, next to this marker); Dr. Lyman Hall (a few steps from this marker); Edward Ball (a few steps from this marker); Midway Church (a few steps from this marker); Kilpatrick and Mower at Midway Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Road to Sunbury (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Sunbury Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Savannah-New Inverness Road (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Midway.
Also see . . . Button Gwinnett. New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry:
Button Gwinnett was one of three Georgia signers of the Declaration of Independence. He served in Georgia's colonial legislature,
Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 2, 2008
2. Button Gwinnett Marker, along US 17
Additional keywords. Duels
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, February 18, 2011
3. Button Gwinnett Marker
Showing proximity to other area markers.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,499 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 4, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3. submitted on April 14, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.
