
Button Gwinnett
A recent English immigrant, Button Gwinnett risked his life by signing his name to the Declaration of Independence.
British born and raised
Button Gwinnett left his home in Staffordshire, England to begin a new life with his family in the North American colonies. Twenty years later, he risked his life by signing his name to the Declaration of Independence. Button was born in 1735 in Gloucester, England to Reverend Samuel and Anne Gwinnett. In April 1757 he married his wife Ann in Staffordshire, and the couple welcomed Amelia, their first of three daughters, in 1758.
Moving to America
Button worked as a merchant and had a shipping business, frequently exporting goods to the North American colonies. By 1765 Button decided to make the move himself, and left England for Georgia. Anne followed later.
Button hoped to transfer his successful mercantile business to Savannah. He placed notices in the Georgia Gazette for items "just imported, sold on the most reasonable terms" at his new store. Button hoped to supply his community with necessities and luxury goods alike, imported from England.
He sold his business in favor of a new venture, attempting to establish a small plantation on St. Catherine Island just south of the city. But this venture was also short-lived. His poor business acumen and previous debts proved a detriment to his operation, and creditors ultimately seized his property.
Despite his financial failure, Gwinnett remained a well-respected member of the community and was appointed a justice of the peace. The appointment served as a springboard for his next venture—a political career. Colonists elected him to the Georgia General Assembly where Gwinnett served from 1769-1771.
A choice and a signature
As relations between Great Britain and the thirteen colonies deteriorated through the middle of the 1770s, Gwinnett had to decide where he stood on the question of independence. Born in England to the son of a Reverend of the Church of England with a background as a merchant importing British goods, Button had a difficult choice to make. Political tensions escalated, and by 1776, Button had his mind made up.
On January 20, 1776 Gwinnett left Georgia for Philadelphia to represent the colony in the Second Continental Congress.
Later that year, he signed his name to the Declaration of Independence.
Image: Engraving of the Declaration of Independence; National Archives
Out of the 56 delegates who signed the Declaration, Button was one of only 8 who were born abroad in Britain rather than in the colonies.
Image: Engraving of the Declaration of Independence; National Archives
Desire to serve
Gwinnett attempted to utilize his political experience to receive an appointment to command a Georgia battalion. Ultimately it was Lachlan McIntosh, not Gwinnett, who received the command—igniting a bitter rivalry between the two men.
In March 1777 Gwinnett again tried his hand at politics and public service, having temporarily assumed the role of governor of Georgia. He failed to win reelection.
Around this time Gwinnett reignited the previous feud with McIntosh, when he accused his brother of treason and ordered his arrest. The Georgia Assembly compounded the situation after investigating a failed patriot offensive into British-held East Florida, but laying the blame for the expedition on McIntosh.
Infuriated, McIntosh publicly, in front of the Assembly, proclaimed Gwinnett "a scoundrel and a lying rascal." Gwinnett answered the insult by challenging McIntosh to a duel. On May 16, 1777 Gwinnett met McIntosh outside of Savannah, pistols loaded.
A fatal duel
Facing each other, the two men fired their rounds. Both found a target—McIntosh sustained a wound in the leg, while Gwinnett was struck just above the knee. McIntosh survived, but days later Gwinnett succumbed to infection and died on May 19.
Upon learning of his untimely death Lyman Hall wrote to fellow signer Roger Sherman:
"…the Man was valuable, so attached to the Liberty of this State and Continent that his whole attention, influence, and interest circled in it and seemed riveted to it…the Friends of Liberty on a whole Continent deplore his fall."
Button Gwinnett was buried in Savannah's Colonial Park Cemetery. He did not see the end of the American Revolution. In 1818 The Georgia General Assembly named Gwinnett County near Atlanta in his honor. In 1964 a marker was placed at his gravesite by Georgia Societies of the DAR and SAR, along with the Society of Colonial Wars and Colonial Dames of America, the State of Georgia, and the city of Savannah.
On July 20, 2021, the Daughters of the American Revolution released an episode of their Our Patriots Podcast entitled: "The Curious Case of Button Gwinnett: The quest to make political and military history drove one passionate Patriot—whose story doesn't end at his death".

A rare and highly coveted Button recently sold for $722,500. No, it's not a shirt fastener that fetched the large sum at a 2010 Sotheby's auction, but rather Button Gwinnett's signature on a letter dated July 12, 1776. The signature, which also appears on the left column of the Declaration of Independence, is one of only 51 known to exist from the relatively short but intriguing life of one American Patriot. winnett lived to only age 42, but his biography is far from brief, including tales of several troubled business ventures, involvement with one of America's most important historical documents, a series of controversial military acts, and a fatal duel in a Georgia pasture. Two centuries after his death, bones believed to be Gwinnett's instigated a series of lawsuits, multiple forensic investigations and a feud over a monument and Gwinnett's final resting place.
This was no ordinary Button.
Born in Gloucestershire, England, around 1735, the farmer and lumberman turned political activist was described as commanding in appearance, irritable in temper, and vain and overbearing in demeanor. Gwinnett's first name came from his mother's cousin, Barbara Button, who became his godmother. Gwinnett County, a major suburban area outside Atlanta, is named for him. Along with his famed signature, it's one of only a few remaining relics from Gwinnett's life.
Path to Philadelphia
Gwinnett first worked as a merchant in Bristol, England, exportinggoods to America and struggling to make ends meet. Sinking into debt and seeking a better life, Gwinnett and his family sailed to America in 1765, landing first in Charleston, S.C., and then in Savannah, Ga., where Gwinnett acquired a 36-square-mile island off the coast of Georgia called St. Catherine's. Originally an ardent Whig, Gwinnett's foray into politics began in 1767 when he was appointed Savannah's justice of the peace. A year later, he became a member of the Georgia Colonial Assembly, but he remained relatively inactive in subsequent years, likely the result of financial and personal woes. During this time, three of his four daughters died young, and his farming business waned. Gwinnett continued to struggle in business and farming, but new friendships and a passion for the future of the Colonies paved the way for a career in politics. It is believed that one such friendship, with New England physician Lyman Hall (who later migrated to Georgia), stoked Gwinnett's political fire and ultimately inspired him to join the Revolution. Initially, Gwinnett had strong doubts about the Colonies' ability to resist the mighty powerof the United Kingdom, but Hall allegedly convinced him to become a supporter of their independence. In pursuit of the cause, and fueled by his personal desire for military leadership, Gwinnett united a coalition that elected him commander of Georgia's Continental battalion in 1776. He stepped aside shortly thereafter, accepting appointment to the Continental Congress—a move that led to a far more lasting legacy. Later that year, Gwinnett was sent to Philadelphia, where he and his friend Hall supported and signed the Declaration of Independence. While Gwinnett was not known to be an active participant in the debates, John Adams is quoted as saying, "Hall and Gwinnett are both intelligent and spirited men, who made a powerful addition to our Phalanx."
Fighting Words
His significant historical achievement in Philadelphia did not dissuade Gwinnett from his military aspirations. Upon returning to Savannah, he attempted to regain leadership of the Georgia militia. To his chagrin, he lost the appointment to a young general and longtime rival, Lachlan McIntosh. Gwinnett was loathe to admit defeat, and the two men continued their bitter rivalry. In 1777, the first president, or governor, of the state of Georgia died suddenly, and Gwinnett was appointed by the assembly to succeed him as president and commander in chief of the army. In the interest of securing Georgia's southern border, Gwinnett led a controversial attempt to invade Florida. Among the opponents were McIntosh and his brother, who actively thwarted Gwinnett's attempt. Fed up with his nemesis, Gwinnett had McIntosh's brother arrested for treason and relieved McIntosh of his command on the grounds that he, too, must be a traitor by association. A furious McIntosh called Gwinnett "a scoundrel and a lying rascal," which proved to be fighting words. In retaliation, Gwinnett challenged McIntosh to a duel. On May 16, 1777, Gwinnett and McIntosh met in a pasture a few miles east of Savannah. With 12 feet between them, both fired their pistols—and both took a hit. Gwinnett, wounded in the left thigh, died of a gangrenous infection three days later. Aside from his famed signature, Gwinnett left little behind. He has no known descendants, as his one surviving daughter died in 1786 with no children. The Gwinnett History Museum holds no original artifacts, and the Georgia Historical Society in Savannah has a limited array of Gwinnett memorabilia, including the pistols used in the fatal duel. Although the DAR Americana Collection has a rare copy of his signature (see story on page 18), Gwinnett's likeness is missing from a mural titled "The Declaration of Independence," depicting 26 signers of the document. Even the exact location of Gwinnett's remains is uncertain.
No Bones About It
Over the years, professional and amateur historians have attempted to recover more information about the Patriot, including the location of his remains. In 1957, American Heritage magazine detailed the quest of retired school principal Arthur J. Funk, who traced Gwinnett's grave to Colonial Cemetery in Savannah. Determined to prove the authenticity of the remains, Funk requested that the Georgia Historical Commission excavate the bones and verify their identity. A damaged femur—the spot where Gwinnett was shot in the duel—was the most promising evidence to support the theory that this was, in fact, the famed Patriot.Seeking further confirmation, the femur was sent to archaeologist Marshall T. Newman at the Smithsonian Institution, whose report stated, "Neither the surface appearance of this crushed area, nor the X-rays ... show any indication of trauma during life" and instead were damaged after burial. Further, Newman found that the femur likely belonged to an adult woman rather than a man—someone of a much smaller stature than Gwinnett. "In summation," the report states, "it is highly unlikely, if not fully impossible, for this bone to be that of Button Gwinnett." Outraged, Funk and his supporters demanded a second opinion. The issue reached the SavannahChatham County Historic Site and Monument Commission, an official arm of the city government, which ultimately issued a 34-page report stating that the femur could, in fact, be Gwinnett's, as he may have been far shorter than previously documented. While the report did not confirm the identity of the bones, it raised sufficient questions regarding the accuracy of Newman's findings in the minds of Funk and others. The controversy grew even more heated in the 1960s when the cityof Augusta—home to the graves of Georgia's other signers of the Declaration, Lyman Hall and George Walton—claimed that Gwinnett's bones should be moved there to join his peers. Years of bickering ensued, during which time Funk won a seat in the state legislature—some say to ensure Gwinnett's remains would stay in Savannah and that a monument would be built. Funk successfully secured a $5,000 public appropriation for a monument in Savannah honoring Gwinnett, ending Augusta's attempt to commandeer the Patriot's remains. It's been argued that Funk had an unhealthy preoccupation with Gwinnett, which is supported by the fact that Funk actually housed Gwinnett's bones in his home for more than five years during the controversy. In the interest of protecting the remains, Funk said, he placed them in a new, copper-lined oak coffin in his guest room. "It was talked about as a hush-hush thing," Funk told historians. "People said, 'He's got the bones in his garage, and he won't let anybody see them.' That was ridiculous. They were in the guest room, and nobody ever asked to see them." The bones were returned to Colonial Cemetery, where they rest today, along with a monument installed in 1964. Gwinnett is also memorialized by the Signers Monument, a granite obelisk in front of the courthouse in Augusta that also honors Hall and Walton. Even in death, Gwinnett keeps good company. His signature is said to be valued as highly as those of Julius Caesar and William Shakespeare—fitting for a man who embodied such historic significance and poetic defeat.
Namesake county: Gwinnett County, GA


























































Gwinnett left few records of his signature, other than the one on the Declaration of Independence! While still living in England, Gwinnett signed this document as a subscriber to the Charity School of Wolverhampton, south of Staffordshire, in England. Forbes Collection of American Historical Documents

Scotland-born Lachlan McIntosh was a prominent patriot in Georgia, but rivaled with Button Gwinnett. The two met on the duel field in 1777, injuring each other. McIntosh survived, while Button died days later. New York Public Library

These dueling pistols in the collection of the Georgia Historical Society are reportedly those used by Button Gwinnett and Lachlan McIntosh on May 16, 1777. Image: Georgia Historical Society

The Last Will and Testament of Button Gwinnett; bequeathing half of his estate to his wife and daughter equally and the other half to the Reverend Thomas Bosomworth; appointing Thomas Savage and Lyman Hall as his Executors with additional signatures as witnesses of James Foley, William Hornby and Thomas Hovenden. Image: The Morgan Library & Museum

In 1964 a marker was placed at the gravesite of Button Gwinnett by Georgia Societies of the DAR and SAR, along with the Society of Colonial Wars and Colonial Dames of America, the State of Georgia, and the city of Savannah. Image: DAR
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The battlefield today
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Monmouth
The battlefield today
Monmouth Battlefield State Park maintains and interprets the battlefield where the Battle of Monmouth, also known as the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse, was fought on June 28, 1778. Three of the original seven farmhouses present during the battle are still standing today on the battlefield, including the Sutfin Farmhouse, the Rhea-Applegate House, and the Craig House. The 1,818-acre park has historic walking trails and a visitor center.
Lexington and Concord
The battlefield today
Minute Man National Historic Park maintains and interprets multiple sites associated with the first day of fighting of the American Revolution, such as the Lexington and Concord Battlefields. In this first battle of the American Revolution, Massachusetts colonists defied British authority, outnumbered and outfought the Redcoats, and embarked on a lengthy war to earn their independence. Together we have saved 1 acre of land at the Lexington and Concord Battlefields.
Brandywine
The battlefield today
The Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site maintains and interprets the battlefield where the Battle of Brandywine took place on September 11, 1777. While most of the battlefield has been overrun by suburban residential developments, visitors can still see the site of the Continental Army encampment, explore the area with a self-guided driving tour, and visit their site’s visitor center and museum.
Brooklyn
The battlefield today
The Battle of Brooklyn, also known as the Battle of Long Island, was fought on August 27, 1776, and took place in what is now the neighborhood of Brooklyn. This is where efforts to fortify New York City from a British attack led to the Revolutionary War’s biggest battle and a crushing defeat for the Patriots. Currently, “The Old Stone House” stands where the Marylanders made their final effort to hold back the British, and the Dongan Oak Monument in Prospect Park lies where Continental troops cut down an enormous oak tree to slow the British advance.
Princeton
The battlefield today
Princeton Battlefield State Park, just a mile southwest of Princeton University, maintains and interprets the scene of George Washington’s 1777 victory. The famous Mercer Oak, not far from where General Hugh Mercer fell during the battle, and Thomas Clarke House, built in 1772, both witnessed the fighting. An Ionic Collonade and stone patio on the property mark the grave of 21 British and 15 American soldiers killed in the battle. Together we have saved 24 acres at Princeton Battlefield.
Trenton
After crossing the Delaware River in a treacherous storm, General George Washington’s army defeated a garrison of Hessian mercenaries at Trenton. The victory set the stage for another success at Princeton a week later and boosted the morale of the American troops.
White Plains
The Battle of White Plains fought on October 28, 1776, took place north of New York City in current-day White Plains, New York. George Washington had moved to this fortified position after the American defeats at the Battles of Long Island and Harlem Heights. However, American forces couldn’t hold the position, and Washington was soon forced to abandon New York and retreat across New Jersey.
Oriskany
The Battle of Oriskany was part of British operations in the Hudson Valley. The British, under the overall command of General John Burgoyne, planned to move south from Quebec and capture Fort Ticonderoga and Albany. British General William Howe was to march north from New York and rendezvous with Burgoyne at Albany, effectively severing New England from the rest of the colonies.
Saratoga
The battlefield today
Saratoga National Historical Park maintains and interprets the battlefield where the Battles of Saratoga took place from September to October 1777. While exploring the park, visitors can see the famous Boot Monument, which commemorated Benedict Arnold’s role in the battle and is the only war memorial in the U.S. that does not bear the name of its honoree; the Saratoga Battle Monument; a visitor center, which runs a 20-min orientation film; and walking trails.
Yorktown
The Colonial National Historical Park maintains and interprets American history from the first English settlements in the Colony of Virginia to the battlefields of Yorktown, where the British army surrendered to the Continental Army in October 1781. Though established to commemorate the colonial era, this park also was the site of the 1862 Battle of Yorktown fought during Gen. George B. McClellan’s Peninsula campaign. Together we have saved 49 acres of land in the area.
Savannah
Located across the street from the Savanna History Museum, the Battlefield Memorial Park commemorates the Siege of Savannah from September to October 1779 on the city of Savannah by the Patriot forces and, more specifically, the Battle of Savannah on October 9, 1779. Visitors can explore the site and take guided tours to learn more about the Southern Campaign and Savannah’s role in the American Revolution.
Charleston
The battlefield today
In downtown Charleston, South Carolina, visitors can visit Marion Square and read a historical marker describing the 1780 Siege of Charleston, which ended in British forces successfully taking the city and gaining access to Charleston Harbor. Nearby, visitors can also see Fort Moultrie, which the American forces unsuccessfully used to defend the city from British attack during the siege.
Siege of Pensacola
Visitors can learn more about the siege of Pensacola at Fort George Park in Pensacola, Florida. While the original 1778 fort no longer exists, the park marks its original location and has a partial reconstruction of the structure. In addition, visitors can read historical markers talking about the fort, the siege, and Florida’s role in the Revolutionary War at the site.
Bennington
The battlefield today
Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site maintains and interprets the battlefield where the Battle of Bennington took place on August 16, 1777. On the 276 acres of preserved battlefield land, visitors can learn more about the battle at the visitor center or explore numerous walking trails. In the nearby historic village of Bennington, visitors can also see the 306-foot-high stone obelisk commemorating those that fought in the battle.
Rhode Island
Declared a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Heritage Park in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is the site of the Battle of Rhode Island that took place on August 29, 1778. Today the site has an interpretive sign explaining the history of the battle, and visitors can see a memorial to Rhode Islanders who lost their lives during the conflict in nearby Patriot’s Park.
Newtown
The battlefield today
Newtown Battlefield State Park was the site of the Battle of Newton that signaled the end of the Sullivan Campaign, the drive ordered by George Washington to remove the mostly pro-British Iroquois nations from the New York frontier and end the threat they posed. Located along the eastern bank of the Chemung River in western New York, visitors can still visit the site today and explore the battlefield on walking trails.