Lawrenceville in Gwinnett County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Home of Major William E. Simmons
Photographed By David Seibert, November 20, 2008
1. The Home of Major William E. Simmons Marker
Inscription.
The Home of Major William E. Simmons. . William E. Simmons, one of Gwinnett County’s foremost citizens, was born in Lawrenceville on August 26, 1839. After graduating at the top of his class from Emory College, he assumed editorship of the Lawrenceville News. In 1861, he became an officer in the 16th Georgia Infantry Regiment, gallantly leading his men in over 20 battles during the War Between the States. In 1863, he rose to second in command of the 3rd Georgia Sharpshooters, an elite unit comprised of soldiers from Major General W. T. Wofford’s Brigade. He was captured in the Shenandoah Valley in August 1864 and spent eleven months at Fort Delaware Prison. After the War, he returned home to practice law. In 1869, he wed Mary Ambrose of Lawrenceville. The following year, he was elected to the Georgia General Assembly, serving in the first session after re-admission of Georgia to the Union. In 1894, Governor W.Y. Atkinson appointed Simmons to State University Board of Regents, where he served over a period of 32 years, receiving an honorary LLD degree from the University of Georgia in 1919. He died in 1931.
William E. Simmons, one of Gwinnett County’s foremost citizens, was born in Lawrenceville on August 26, 1839. After graduating at the top of his class from Emory College, he assumed editorship of the Lawrenceville News. In 1861, he became an officer in the 16th Georgia Infantry Regiment, gallantly leading his men in over 20 battles during the War Between the States. In 1863, he rose to second in command of the 3rd Georgia Sharpshooters, an elite unit comprised of soldiers from Major General W. T. Wofford’s Brigade. He was captured in the Shenandoah Valley in August 1864 and spent eleven months at Fort Delaware Prison. After the War, he returned home to practice law. In 1869, he wed Mary Ambrose of Lawrenceville. The following year, he was elected to the Georgia General Assembly, serving in the first session after re-admission of Georgia to the Union. In 1894, Governor W.Y. Atkinson appointed Simmons to State University Board of Regents, where he served over a period of 32 years, receiving an honorary LLD degree from the University of Georgia in 1919. He died in 1931.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1839.
Location. 33° 57.445′ N, 83°
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59.302′ W. Marker is in Lawrenceville, Georgia, in Gwinnett County. Marker is at the intersection of North Clayton Street and East Pike Street (U.S. 29), on the right when traveling north on North Clayton Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lawrenceville GA 30045, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. The marker stands at the Northeast corner of the square where the Old Gwinnett County Courthouse is located, The Simmons family was one of the four original grantees of lots around the courthouse square. The four were required to erect and maintain a fence around the courthouse lot.
The marker appears to be an official Georgia Historical Marker; in fact it was privately cast and erected, without approval from state agencies.
Photographed By David Seibert, November 20, 2008
2. The Home of Major William E. Simmons and Marker
Photographed By David Seibert, November 20, 2008
3. The Home of Major William E. Simmons Marker
Today the home is an insurance agency.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,517 times since then and 116 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on March 12, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
