1. Georgia’s Representatives at the Second Continental Congress
Signers of the Declaration of Independence Button Gwinnett lyman hall George 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 Both men shot one another; however, Gwinnett’s wounds were fatal. He died on May 19,
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 at Second Continental Congress
Born in Virginia around (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