582 WALTON COUNTY. 



Name. — This county was named after George Walton, 

 whose history is full of interest, and affords proof that talents, 

 joined with industry, may overcome all difficulties. Like 

 many illustrious men who have adorned the annals of this and 

 other countries, Mr. Walton owed the distinction to which he 

 attained, to his own efforts. He was born in Frederick coun- 

 ty, Virginia, in 1740, and received no other education except 

 that which he acquired during the intervals of labour. He was 

 apprenticed to learn the trade of a carpenter ; and such was 

 his thirst for knowledge, that he collected lightwood during 

 the day, by the light of which he would pursue his studies, his 

 master not allowing him the use of a candle. After his ap- 

 prenticeship had expired he removed to Georgia, and com- 

 menced the study of the law in the office of Henry Young, 

 Esq. About the time that he commenced practice, the colo- 

 nies were contending against the tyranny of Great Britain, 

 and Walton did not hesitate to advocate the cause of his in- 

 jured country. In the first call, published in the Georgia Ga- 

 zette, for a meeting of the friends of liberty, to be held at Ton- 

 dee's tavern, 27th July, 1774, JMr. Walton's name first appears in 

 the history of Georgia. At this meeting he acted a conspicuous 

 part, encouraging by his eloquence resistance to the encroach- 

 ments of the mother country. On the 12th of January, 1775, 

 another meeting was held, and with great earnestness he en- 

 deavoured to convince those who doubted the propriety of 

 the measures which the other colonies had adopted, that fur- 

 ther efforts to obtain a redress of grievances were wholly use- 

 less, and that the time had arrived for immediate action. At 

 this period he acquired the reputation of a determined patriot, 

 and upon most of the important committees we find his name. 

 In February, 1776, his talents and patriotism were recognised by 

 the Legislature, by appointing him a delegate to Congress, the 

 duties of which he discharged with great fidelity. Between 

 February and June of this year, he appears to have been in 

 Virginia, exerting himself in behalf of his country. The 

 following letter to Col. Lachlan Mcintosh, dated Williams- 

 burgh, lUh June, 1776, will give an idea of his determined 

 spirit : " The time and place whence this letter is about to be 

 wrote, 1 don't doubt will astonish you ; but know that I have 



