George Walton

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George Walton

George Walton (1749 or 1750–February 2, 1804) signed the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Georgia.

George Walton was born in Virginia. His parents died when he was a child, resulting in his adoption by an uncle with whom he entered apprenticeship as a carpenter. Walton was a studious young man, but his uncle actively discourage all study, believing a studious boy to be an idle one. Walton continued studying and once his apprenticeship ended, he moved to Savannah, Georgia in 1769 to study law under a Mr. Young, and was admitted to the bar in 1774. His brother was John Walton.

He became an advocate of the patriot cause and was elected Secretary of the Georgia provincial Congress, and became president of the Council of Safety. He was elected to the Continental Congress, a position he held until the end of 1778. He was commissioned a Colonel of the First Regiment of the Georgia Militia. He was put in the battalion of General Robert Howe. During the Battle of Savannah, Walton was involved in the defense of the city. However a slave showed the British, led by Colonel Campbell, a path to the rear of the city, by which they were able to take the city, attacking from the front and the rear. Walton was injured in the battle and taken prisoner. He was freed through a prisoner exchange in 1779.

Soon after this in October 1779, Walton was elected Governor of Georgia, a position he held for only two months. In January 1780, he was elected to Congress, where he stayed from 1780-1781. He did not stay a full term because he was elected the governor of Georgia, where he stayed for the full term.

He was a political ally of General Lachlan McIntosh and a foe of Button Gwinnett. He and Gwinnett's political battles resulted in his expulsion from office and indictment for various criminal activities.

He was censured for his role in a duel which resulted in Button Gwinnett's death. He became Chief Justice of Georgia, 1783-89, Governor of Georgia in 1789, and U.S. Senator in 1795.

The offices he held were:

Continental Congress, (1776-78)
Colonel of the First Georgia Militia (1778)
Governor of Georgia (1779–80)
U.S. Congress (1780-1781)
Governor of Georgia (1781–83)
Chief Justice of Georgia (1783-89)
Governor of Georgia (1789)
U.S. Senator (1795–96)

In addition, Walton served as a trustee of Richmond Academy and of the University of Georgia.

He died in Augusta, Georgia on February 2, 1804. Walton County, east of Atlanta, is named for him. There are also at least two schools that bear his name. George Walton Comprehensive High School is a highly-regarded public school near Marietta, Georgia. George Walton Academy is a private school in Monroe, Georgia, the county seat of Walton County.

Preceded by: Colonial government	Governor of Georgia 1775	Succeeded by: Archibald Bulloch
Preceded by: John Wereat	Governor of Georgia 1779 - 1780	Succeeded by: Richard Howly
Preceded by: George Handley	Governor of Georgia 1789 - 1790	Succeeded by: Edward Telfair
Preceded by: James Jackson	U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Georgia November 16, 1795 - February 20, 1796	Succeeded by: Josiah Tattnall