Historic Midway Church

Because St Johns Parish was the first in Georgia

to vote for liberty the New county created

was named "Liberty".

DR. LYMAN HALL WAS A GEORGIA SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. HE REPRESENTED SAINT JOHN'S PARISH IN THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, AND WAS A DELEGATE FROM GEORGIA TO THE SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS MEETING IN PHILADELPHIA.

HE WAS A FOUNDER OF SUNBURY AND AS GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA (1783-1784) HE GAVE STRONG SUPPORT TO EDUCATION AND RELIGION. HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN OBTAINING THE GRANT OF LAND WHICH LED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA.
BORN IN WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT, APRIL 12, 1724, DR. HALL MOVED TO SAINT JOHN'S PARISH WHERE HE PURCHASED THE PLANTATION NOW KNOWN AS HALL'S KNOLL. HE BECAME A LEADING PHYSICIAN, PLANTER, PATRIOT, AND WAS ACTIVE IN MERCANTILE AND SHIPPING CIRCLE IN SUNBURY.
DR. HALL DIED IN 1790 AND WAS BURIED ON HIS PLANTATION AT SHELL BLUFF LANDING IN BURKE COUNTY. IN 1848, HIS REMAINS WERE RE-INTERRED IN AUGUSTA, BENEATH THE GRANITE OBELISK, "THE SIGNERS' MONUMENT."

Button Gwinnett came to Georgia in 1765. He had little success as either a merchant or a planter, but became intricately involved and quite adept at Revolutionary politics. His political battles were as much with the Whig factions within Georgia as they were with the British. Gwinnett represented the group trying to wrest power away from the "city" party, dominated by the Christ Church parish centered in Savannah. His success was evidenced by his selection as leader of Georgia's Continental battalion in early 1776. But many of his political rivals opposed his selection. To avoid excessive controversy, Gwinnett gave up this post, instead accepting election to the Continental Congress.
He arrived in Philadelphia on May 20, 1776. He was heavily involved in committee work, but took no recorded part in the debate over independence. His support for the cause was clear though, as he voted to separate from England on July 2, voted for the Declaration itself on July 4, and signed the actual document on August 2. Soon thereafter he left Philadelphia to return to Georgia.