Historedia
Person

William Barton

Events
1
Episodes
6
Years
1776–1782

Every event in Historedia whose sources name William Barton, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Adoption of the Great Seal of the United States

    1776–1782

    Role: Designer who contributed to the final seal

    1. July 4, 1776 · Continental CongressFirst Committee Named

      Congress named the first committee to design a Great Seal on July 4, 1776, the day independence was declared.

    2. March 25 – May 10, 1780 · Continental CongressSecond Committee Reports

      A second committee formed March 25, 1780, reported a design to Congress on May 10, 1780.

    3. May 4–9, 1782 · Continental CongressThird Committee and Barton Design

      Congress formed a third committee on May 4, 1782; William Barton's design was submitted five days later.

    4. June 13, 1782 · Continental CongressThomson Prepares Final Design

      On June 13, 1782, Congress turned to Secretary Charles Thomson with all material from the three committees.

    5. June 20, 1782 · Continental CongressAdoption of the Great Seal

      The design was submitted to Congress on June 20, 1782, and accepted the same day, depicting a bald eagle with thirteen arrows and an olive branch.

    6. September 16, 1782 · United States federal governmentFirst Use of the Seal

      Charles Thomson first used the seal on September 16, 1782, to verify signatures authorizing a prisoner exchange negotiation.

Sources

  1. Great Seal of the United States Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-27