by Alexander Egart, Historical Interpreter
December 18, 2025 – This month, we are taking a look back at the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence from Georgia, and one of the youngest signers in the entire country, George Walton. Sources differ on where and when, but they state Walton was born in 1749 or 1750 in Virginia and like the other signers, Lyman Hall and Button Gwinnett, was not a native to Georgia.
Walton apprenticed as a carpenter before moving to Savannah in 1769 to study and pursue a legal career, being admitted to the bar in 1774. Being a prominent lawyer in Savannah, Walton quickly joined the ranks of the growing rebellion against the Crown. Walton was the Secretary of the second provincial Congress of GA in 1775.
Walton was then elected to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia and was one of three Georgia delegates to sign the Declaration of Independence in 1776. He served in Philadelphia until 1778 when he was commissioned as a Colonel in the Georgia Battalion of Infantry. Walton was wounded in the Battle of Savannah on December 29, 1778 and taken prisoner.
He missed the Siege of Savannah in 1779 and was exchanged as a prisoner shortly after, serving briefly as Governor of Georgia until 1780. He served in Congress in Philadelphia again until 1781.
In his post war career, Walton served as a Senator, Chief Justice of Georgia, Governor again, trustee of the University of Georgia, and Judge of the superior circuit of Georgia twice. He passed away at his home in Augusta by 1804.
Coastal Heritage Society will explore more stories like this as we approach the United States Semiquincentennial. Follow along on our blog!