Button Gwinnett letters and plat
Descriptive Summary
Repository: Georgia Historical Society Creator: Gwinnett, Button, approximately 1735-1777. Title: Button Gwinnett letters and plat Dates: 1767-1777 Extent: 0.1 cubic feet (1 folder) Identification: MS 0336
Biographical/Historical Note
Button Gwinnett (1732-1777) was a member of the Provincial Congress and the Continental Congress, Acting President and Commander-in-Chief of Georgia, and signer of the Declaration of Independence. He died in Savannah from wounds received in a duel with General Lachlan McIntosh.
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains 5 pieces of correspondence and a plat of land. One letter, from Button Gwinnett to John Hancock regarding the taking of George McIntosh into custody and the expedition against East Florida. The other correspondence is between Button Gwinnett's widow, Ann, and the Continental Congress and John Hancock regarding her husband's duel and death. The plat of land contained in the collection deeds to Gwinnett 1,000 acres in St. Andrew's Parish, 1767. All items in this collection are photocopies of originals in various places.
Index Terms
Dueling. Georgia--History--Revolution, 1775-1783. Gwinnett, Button, approximately 1735-1777. Hancock, John, 1737-1793. Letters (correspondence) McIntosh, George, 1739-1779. McIntosh, Lachlan, 1725-1806. Plats (maps) United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783. United States. Continental Congress. Wright, James, Sir, 1716-1785.
Location of Originals
Original plat in the Secretary of State's Office in Atlanta, Georgia. The original letters are in the Library of Congress.
Administrative Information
Custodial History
Unknown.
Preferred Citation
[item identification], Button Gwinnett letters and plat, MS 336, Georgia Historical Society, Savannah, Georgia. Acquisition Information
Gift of Mr. Irvine, 1925 (Item 1).
Restrictions
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to the Georgia Historical Society. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Division of Library and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Georgia Historical Society as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.
Sponsorship
Encoding funded by a 2012 Documenting Democracy grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Container List
Item 1: Plat of land for 1,000 acres in St. Andrew's Parish, 1767 April 29 ( 1.0 p. ) Ordered by James Wright to Button Gwinnett. Certified April 29, 1767. Photocopy of DS. Signed by J. Mossman.
Item 2: Button Gwinnett to John Hancock, 1777 March 28 ( 8.0 p. ) Sent from Sunbury, Georgia. Regarding taking of George McIntosh into custody and preparation for expedition against East Florida. Photocopy of letter marked "copy".
Item 3: Ann Gwinnett to President and members of Continental Congress, 1777 August 1 ( 3.0 p. ) Sent from Savannah, Georgia. Regarding redress because of death of her husband; recapitulates whole affair. Photocopy.
Item 4: Ann Gwinnett to the Honorable John Hancock, President and other members of the Honorable Continental Congress, 1777 August 1 ( 1.0 p. ) Sent from Savannah, Georgia. Petitions Congress to take action against principals in Gwinnett- McIntosh duel; names Joseph Habersham, George Wells, Lachlan McIntosh. Photocopy.
Item 5: Ann Gwinnett to John Hancock, undated ( 1.0 p. ) Asking for redress for loss of husband. Tells of duel between Joseph Habersham and Lt. Hughes and of the George McIntosh affair, describes conditions in Savannah. Photocopy.