A JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY DISCOVERING GWINNETT
Gwinnett County, Georgia, in the Atlanta metropolitan area, was created from land ceded by the Cherokee and Creek Indians in 1818. Its prosperity has varied over the centuries, but it has been one of the fastest-growing counties in the country since at least the 1970s. According to the Census Bureau, in 2010, Gwinnett County had a population of just over 805,000. After just over a decade, that number jumped to over 983,000 in 2023, an increase of 22%. But despite its bustling growth, many who live in or near Gwinnett County don’t know its intriguing, albeit at times tragic, history. Our Namesake Gwinnett County got its name from Button Gwinnett, one of three Georgians who signed the Declaration of Independence. Button, born in 1735 in Down Hatherley, England, was the son of a Welsh clergyman. He married Ann Bourne in 1755, and the two emigrated to America together in 1762. Although he briefly settled in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1765, he purchased a large swathe of land on St. Catherines Island, ironically located in Liberty County, Georgia. By the time of the American Revolution, Button was a respected figure in Georgia. He was elected as a delegate to the Continental
Congress in Philadelphia in 1776. Once there, he had a busy year: He voted for independence on July 2, as well as on the ratification of the formal Declaration of Independence on July 4, and went on to sign the physical document on Aug. 2. While John Hancock’s signature is often remembered due to its size, due to the rarity of Button’s signature, it is arguably one of the most valuable in American history. In fact, one document bearing Button’s signature was sold for over $700,000 in 2010. Personal Vendetta Button Gwinnett, despite his accomplishments, did not get along with everyone. He was a longtime rival of Lachlan McIntosh, a Brigadier General in the Revolutionary Army, who was appointed commander of Georgia’s militia over Button. McIntosh would challenge Button’s honor in public, and the two met outside of Savanna, Georgia, for a duel on May 16, 1777. Both were wounded in the duel, and Button Gwinnett later died from his injuries, whereas McIntosh survived. Despite Button’s untimely end, the county named after him is thriving. Although Gwinnett County was ravaged in the American Civil War, after the construction of the Buford Dam in the 1950s it has emerged as one of the most preeminent counties in the country.
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CLASSIC STUFFED PEPPERS
INGREDIENTS
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4 bell peppers (any color), halved and seeded
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1 tsp cumin
1 14-oz can diced tomatoes 1 cup cooked rice 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Salt and pepper, to taste
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1 lb ground beef 1 onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced 1 tsp chili powder
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DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Line a baking dish or baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the bell pepper halves in the baking dish. 3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic until the beef is browned, then drain excess fat. 4. Stir in chili powder, cumin, diced tomatoes, rice, salt, and pepper. 5. Fill the 8 bell pepper halves with the beef mixture, then top with the shredded cheddar cheese. 6. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted.
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SCHOOL TWINS
MELON MOON
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