Locating Slavery's Legacies @ University of Virginia

Memorial Object

Plaque/Marker

Enslaver

Gwinnett, Button

Stone memorializing Button Gwinnett

The “Walk of Fame” was created in 1929 by then president Hamilton Holt to honor significant historical figures. The memorial is located in the center of campus around Mills Lawn, and it was donated by the Gwinnett Historical Society in April of 1977.

Born in England, Button Gwinnett (1735-1777) emigrated to Savannah, Georgia, where he engaged in trade among the American Colonies. In 1765, Gwinnett purchased St. Catherine’s Island, where he became a planter, though with little success. Despite accumulating significant debt, Gwinnett purchased many enslaved individuals to work his properties. However, his creditors soon seized possession of both his land and enslaved laborers. Gwinnett later served as a delegate of the Continental Congress and was a signer of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Upon returning to Georgia, Gwinnett became the Speaker of the Colonial Assembly. In this role, he aided in the creation of the state’s first constitution and was later appointed as President and Commander-in-Chief of Georgia. In 1777, Gwinnett was killed in a political duel by General Lachlan McIntosh, as the pair fired their pistols at each other to settle a score.

The stone, installed in 1977, is a block of native Georgia granite, taken from the site where the county seat of Gwinnett County was established. It was donated by the Gwinnett County Historical Association.

Holt, Hamilton

Native Georgia Granite Stone: 24.5x16.5 inches
Plaque: 12x8 inches

“Button Gwinnett Signer of the Declaration of Independence Donated by Gwinnett Historical Society Gwinnett Co., Georgia”

Gwinnett County Historical Association

April 1, 1977

1976-2000: The Conservative Ascendancy and Retrenchment from Civil Rights Movement

Gwinnett Historical Society Gwinnett Co., Georgia

Walk of Fame

Rollins College; Winter Park, Florida

Button Gwinnett

National Park Service: Button Gwinnett

Gwinnett County History

National Governors Association: Button Gwinnett