George Walton
George Walton was born in Frederick County, Virginia, in 1740. He was apprenticed to a morose carpenter at an early age without any school education. At twenty-one, Mr. Walton went to Georgia to read law under Henry Young and became a safe counselor and advocate. In February 1776, Mr. Walton was elected to the Continental Congress and entered upon the high duties of legislation. He was a bold and efficient advocate of every measure calculated to advance the cause of Independence. He warmly supported the Declaration of Rights and proved his sincerity by his vote and signature.December 29, 1778. Battle of Savannah, Georgia
In 1778, Colonel Walton behaved with great gallantry in the battle at Savannah between the American troops and the British. The regiment under his command desperately fought until their Colonel was severely wounded, fell from his horse, and was taken prisoner. After his wound would permit, he was sent to Sunbury and confined with the other prisoners. He was soon after exchanged.During the war, jealousy existed between Georgia's civil and military authorities. Judge Walton was at the head of the former General McIntosh at the head of the latter. In January 1783, Walton was appointed Chief Justice of Georgia. He filled the gubernatorial chair twice and was one of the commissioners who effected a treaty with the Cherokee Indians. He discharged all the onerous duties imposed upon him with credit to himself and usefulness to his country.
Tondee's Tavern in Savannah, Georgia and the First Liberty Pole
On August 10, 1774, thirty Georgia patriots met at Tondee's Tavern in Savannah to voice their opinions against Great Britain's tariffs. Peter Tondee stood at the front door with a list of complaints. The erection of a Liberty Pole and the excitement caused at the meeting prompted Royal Governor James Wright to issue an order forbidding gatherings and speaking out against Great Britain! Nonetheless, the Sons of Liberty drafted resolutions condemning the Intolerable Acts and unfair taxes.
To test the public mind, Messrs. Walton, Noble, Bullock, and Houston published a notice over their proper signatures, calling a public meeting to be held at the Liberty Pole, Tondee's tavern, Savannah, on July 27, 1774, to consider the Constitutional rights. A large concourse of citizens assembled. George Walton rose with a dignity peculiar to a man who knows he is right. With the profoundness of an able lawyer, and the wisdom of a sage and the eloquence of a Henry, and he portrayed American rights and British wrongs in such glowing colors that a stream of patriotic fire ran through the hearts of his audience that concentrated into a broad and unextinguishable flame. A committee was appointed to rouse the people of impending danger. Meanwhile, Royal Governor Wright used great exertions to obtain a written pledge from the inhabitants of each parish to sustain the mother country and submit more implicitly to the yoke of bondage. Promises of redress were made only to be broken. But the fire of patriotism had commenced its insulating course.
The meeting was called by Messrs. Walton, Noble, Bullock, and Houston publishing a notice over their proper signatures, calling a public meeting to be held at the Liberty Pole, Tondee's tavern, Savannah, on July 27, 1774, to consider the Constitutional rights. "A large concourse of citizens assembled. George Walton rose with a dignity peculiar to a man who knows he is right. With the profoundness of an able lawyer; the wisdom of a sage and the eloquence of a Henry; he portrayed American rights and British wrongs in such glowing colors that a stream of patriotic fire ran through the hearts of his audience that concentrated into a broad and unextinguishable flame. A committee was appointed to rouse the people of impending danger. Meanwhile, Royal Governor Wright used great exertions to obtain a written pledge from the inhabitants of each parish to sustain the mother country and submit more implicitly to the yoke of bondage. Promises of redress were made only to be broken. But the fire of patriotism had commenced its insulating course."
"In May 1775, the Parish of St. Johns sent Lyman Hall to the Continental Congress, and in July, four colleagues took their seats and reorganized the Council of Safety. In January of 1776, the legislature appointed Mr. Bullock as President of the Executive Council. He was a bold, active patriot and obnoxious to the crown officers."
When Governor Wright threatened the members with bayonets, he was temporarily held prisoner in the tavern but permitted the liberty of his own house only upon his parol of honor. Governor Wright violated his parole and fled on board the armed fleet in the harbor, where he commenced an attack upon the town. Wright was severely whipped and escaped to England.
Tondee's Tavern burned down in 1796, and the British removed the Liberty Pole when they occupied Savannah.
Royal Governor Wright Flees Georgia
In May 1775, the Parish of St. Johns sent Lyman Hall to the Continental Congress, and in July, four colleagues took their seats and reorganized the Council of Safety. In January of 1776, the legislature appointed Mr. Bullock as President of the Executive Council. He was a bold, active patriot and obnoxious to the crown officers. Governor Wright threatened the members with bayonets, in the next hour, he was their prisoner and permitted the liberty of his own house only upon his parol of honor. He violated his parole and fled on board the armed fleet in the harbor, and commenced an attack upon the town. He was severely whipped and glad to escape from the vengeance of an insulted and enraged people. British authority was at an end in that Province.In February 1776, Mr. Walton was elected to the Continental Congress and entered upon the high duties of legislation. He was a bold and efficient advocate of every measure calculated to advance the cause of Independence. He warmly supported the Declaration of Rights and proved his sincerity by his vote and signature.
Battle of Savannah
In 1778, Colonel Walton behaved with great gallantry in the battle at Savannah between the American troops and the British. The regiment under his command desperately fought until their Colonel was severely wounded, fell from his horse, and was taken prisoner. After his wound would permit, he was sent to Sunbury and confined with the other prisoners. He was soon after exchanged and returned to Congress.In January 1783, Walton was appointed Chief Justice of Georgia. He filled the gubernatorial chair twice and was one of the commissioners who effected a treaty with the Cherokee Indians. He discharged all the onerous duties imposed upon him with credit to himself and usefulness to his country. During the war, jealousy existed between Georgia's civil and military authorities. Judge Walton was at the head of the forme, and General McIntosh at the head of the latter.
Foul Play
In 1779, when Judge Walton was the first Governor of the state, a forged letter, purporting to be from the legislature, was forwarded to Congress requesting the removal of the General. The Governor, charged with knowledge of the transaction, denied it, but few, if any, believed it.During his latter years, Judge Walton confined his public duties to the Bench of the Superior Court. He died on February 2, 1803.