George Walton

BORN – 1741, near Farmville, Cumberland County, VA.  The exact year of his birth is unknown, some research has placed it as early as 1740, others as late as 1749 and 1750.  His biographer, Barthelmas uses the date of 1741.  Parents (English and Welsh ancestry) - Robert James Thomas Walton, Jr. (b1718-d1750) and Mary Sarah Hughes Walton (b1723-d1760).  Four Children – John Walton (b1738-d1783), George Walton (b1741-d1804), Robert Walton III (b1744-d1797), Sarah (Sally) Walton Watkins / Morris (b1746-d1805).  George’s father died when George was nine years old and he was raised by his aunt and uncle who apprenticed him as a carpenter. 

DIED - February 2, 1804 (age 55 to 64), at his home, Meadow Garden, in Augusta, GA.  Religion – Anglican / Episcopalian.  Buried -  Initially at Rosney Cemetery, home of his nephew Robert Watkins.  Reburied under the Signers Monument in August, GA in 1848.   

APPEARANCE – The picture above is a portrait of George Walton – the painter, date and source to be determined.  Small size, handsome, haughty, dignified and stern.  He had a temper but was warm in his friendships.  Known as a politician who kept his promises. 

FAMILY – Married - Dorothy Camber (b1754-d1832) in 1775.  Two Children – Thomas Camber Walton (1776-1803), George Walton, Jr. (b1786-d1859).   

OCCUPATION – CARPENTER, LAWYER, LEGISLATOR, SOLDIER, GA GOVERNOR, JUDGE, U.S. SENATOR.  Apprenticed to a carpenter.  Moved to Savannah, GA  in 1769, and studied law.  Established law practice in Savannah.  Member of the Continental Congress representing Georgia from 1776 to 1778 and again in 1780.  Commissioned a Colonel of the First Regiment of the Georgia Militia.  Governor of Georgia in 1779 and again from 1781 to 1783.  U.S. Senator from Georgia in from 1795 to 1796.     

AT SIGNING – Age 35 at signing.   

AFTER SIGNING – Continued to serve in Congress in Philadelphia until 1778.  Wounded in the Battle of Savannah in 1778 and taken prisoner.  Shot in the thigh by an enemy bullet and knocked off his horse.  Freed through a prisoner exchange in 1779.  Moved to Augusta, GA.

HISTORIC SITES                                                                                                                                                  

Augusta Home – Meadow Garden, Augusta, GA (1791).  Located at 1320 Independence Drive, Augusta, GA 30901, Phone 706-724-4174, Website www.historicmeadowgarden.org.  George Walton’s winter home.   

Summer Home – College Hill, Augusta, GA (1795).  Located at 2216 Wrightsboro Road, two miles west of Augusta.  Summer home which George Walton called his “Mansion on the Hill.”  Privately owned.                                                                                                                                                                      

Gravesite – Signers Monument, Augusta, GA (1848).  Located at the 500 block of Greene Street in front of the Augusta Municipal Center, Augusta, GA.                                                                                       

Church – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (1750).  Located at 605 Reynolds Street, Augusta, GA 30901, Phone (706) 724-2485, Website www.saintpauls.org.  Fourth church building built on the site.  George Walton is believed to have been a member of the church. 

Home of George Walton, Meadow Garden, Augusta, GA (1791). 

Located at 1320 Independence Drive, Augusta, GA 30901, Phone 706-724-4174, Website www.historicmeadowgarden.org. 

The modest Sand Hills style cottage is one of the oldest homes in Georgia.  It was the winter home of George Walton in Augusta from 1792 until his death in 1804.  Today, the house serves as a museum.  Original Walton family memorabilia is on display along with 18th century furniture, porcelain and paintings.  The historic Augusta Canal runs within feet of the property.