Family History Home Page - Butler
Family History Home Page
Butler
Our family loves to explore our family history including all of its extensions.
This page begins the Butler family (constantly under construction, just as our
family is). We seek your input and comments
on any and all we present are welcomed.
John Butler, lived his later years in Richland
Township, Williams Co (became part of Defiance Co after 1845), OH, about 1816
to his death in November of 1830. We recently discovered he was one of the Fighting
Butlers from (Ireland and) Lancaster Co, PA, during the Revolutionary War.
According to "The Butler Family in America" book, John was a first
cousin of Major General Richard Butler, the most famous of the Fighting Butlers.
(See origins of our Butler family, below). He also
served as Commissioner of Indian Affairs for President Washington after the
War of Independence. Richard, his four brothers and two cousins stayed based
in the east (PA), while John, the least well known and documented, went into
the Northwest Territories. He and his family were at Detroit when Hull surrendered
in 1812, for instance. Asenath, John's daughter,
was born at Detroit in 1803. She was likely one of the "noncombatants"
General Hull sought to spare by his surrender. Our family, for one, thanks General
Hull for the surrender, allowing us all to have existed.
We are especially interested in more information related to the descendancy
of John, and his wife, Lena. We descend from his daughter, Asenath, b. 1803,
but, we know she had several brothers, who lived along the Maumee River, a few
miles downstream from old Ft. Defiance, now the town of Defiance, OH. They lived
near the village of Florida, in Richland Township (this according to both his
will and his military/pension records). These Butlers appear from census records
to have all left the area prior to the 1840 census. Please contact Bill
Smith with any comments or additional information.
Main Record
John BUTLER, b. 1745, Ireland; d. 30 Nov 1830, Williams Co, OH.
m. Lena ; b. CN (per Asenath, 1880 census)
Children of John and Lena Butler:
Asenath BUTLER, b. 1803; d. 4 Apr, Jones Co, IA; bur. South Madison Cemetery,
Jones Co, IA.
(Other brothers, details sought)
More detail to be added, as time is available.
Details
John BUTLER, b. 1745, Ireland; d. 30 Nov 1830, Williams Co, OH.
Stories
John BUTLER, b. 1745, Ireland; d. 30 Nov 1830, Williams Co, OH.
Main Record
Asenath BUTLER, b. 1803, MI; d. 4 Apr, Jones Co, IA; bur. South Madison
Cemetery, Jones Co, IA.
1m. William Charles PRESTON
(click to see family)
2m. Asa R. THOMAS (click to see family)
Details
Asenath BUTLER, b. 1803, MI; d. 4 Apr, Jones Co, IA; bur. South Madison
Cemetery, Jones Co, IA.
Stories
Asenath BUTLER, b. 1803, MI; d. 4 Apr, Jones Co, IA; bur. South Madison
Cemetery, Jones Co, IA.
See recently added Defiance Co, OH, GenWeb Home Page, part
of the USGenWeb Project.
This page originally created on July 20, 1996. Last updated April 17,
2001. Maintained by William L. Smith
thru [email protected]
Origins of the our Butler family
Origins of the our Butler family are provided in the book "The
Butler Family in America." Following, in the words of compiler, WILLAM
DAVID BUTLER, is an overview:
Our first American ancestors were James (1) and Thomas (1) Butler. They
were born on the Butler estates in the Parish of Coolkeny, County Wicklow,
of Dublin, the former in 1718 and the latter in 1720. Thomas came to America
in 1748 with three of his sons and settled in Lancaster, PA. James, so far
as we know, did not come to America but his son, William {2}, came to this
Country in 1759 and joined his uncle, Thomas{1}. John
{our John} and Thomas {2}, other sons of James {1}, came to Pennsylvania
about the same time that their brother William {2} did. Richard {2}, a full
cousin, {son of Thomas (1)} served as an ensign in the Indian war of 1764.
Thomas {1} removed to Carlisle, PA, in 1760, and there established a gun
shop. Eight of his children were born in this country, and all but one,
who died in infancy, grew up ardent Americans. Two daughters of James {1},
Jane {2} and Sarah{2}, joined their relatives in the New World and were
married in later years. All of these worthy people acted well their parts
in the days preceding the outbreak of the Revolution and imbibed in the
free air of Pennsylvania the principles that made them bravest of the supporters
of George Washington in the glorious days of old.
James Butler(1), oldest of the brothers, was
born on the father's estate in the Parish of Coolkeny, County Wicklow, Ireland,
in 1718. He was educated in Dublin and was married in 1739. His oldest son,
Thomas (2), was born January 2, 1740, in Ireland, and died in Pennsylvania
in 1832. His second son, William (2), was born in July, 1743, in Ireland,
and died March 4, 1839, at Harmonsburg, Crawford Co, PA. The third son,
John (2),
was born in 1745, in Dublin, and died in Williams County, Ohio, of which
he was one of the pioneers, in 1830. Jane Butler (2), the oldest daughter,
was born in 1747 in Dublin. She was married to William Mahan after she had
come to this Country, and died about 1830. Sarah Butler (2), the youngest
daughter, was born in 1749, but unfortunately all known records concerning
her have been buried in oblivion. [1, p. 6-7]
{ } added by Bill Smith, for
clarity.
Note: Further details of the family of Thomas (1) are available at sketches
of the Fighting
Butlers.
Additional comments by WILLAM DAVID BUTLER: We, of the Butler family, could
trace our ancestry back to the days of William the Conqueror and possibly
earlier. We may lay incontestable claim to close relationships with the
proud dukes of Ormonde, of Ireland's best past (See Burke's Peerage and
Hall's Picturesque Ireland). But it is not part of my purpose to seek to
carry our Butler genealogy beyond the confines of the United States which
no less than eight of our immediate ancestors aided most brilliantly to
establish. Our lineage in America is sufficiently bright to cause us all
ample content with what we have. Therefore, in these succeeding pages we
shall strive to give to the Butlers only the best compliation, that our
endeavors permit, of the records of the American Butlers of this family
permit, satisfied that this will prove amply pleasurable reading for all
of the family. It is worthy of note that in the Revolutionary War there
were eight Butlers of our immediate family. In the War of 1812, there were
sixteen Butlers of our immediage family in arms in defense of our nation.
In the Mexican War, many more Butlers were conspicuous for brave deeds and
shining heroism. In the Civil War, there was almost a regiment of Butlers
arranged on both sides - each alike ardent Americans according to their
lights. Many another Butler aided in framing the laws of nation and state.
Still others separated themselves from their relations and became pioneers,
assisting markedly in the development of the newer portions of this great
nation. Soldiers, statesmen, pioneers, professional men are included in
the ranks of the Butlers. All have been of sterling integrity and all have
been, first and foremost, true Americans. [1. p. 4-5]
{ } these brackets added by Bill
Smith, for clarity.
Main Record
Asa B. Thomas, b. abt. 1797/9, Maine
link to father link to mother link to details link to stories
m.
Asenath BUTLER (her second marriage), b. 1803; d. 4 Apr, Jones Co, IA; bur.
South Madison Cemetery, Jones Co, IA.
Children of Asa and Asenath Thomas:
Elihu R. THOMAS, b. 1839/40, OH
Edward THOMAS, b. 1841/2, OH
Details
Asa B. Thomas, b. abt. 1797/9, Maine
According to the 1856 Iowa Census for Madison Township, Jones Co, IA, Asa
Thomas had lived in Iowa for 1 year, therefore, they arrived in 1855. George
W. Preston (son of Asenath) is listed as a laborer in this household, age
28, in 1860. Asa is listed as holding several local offices over these years.
In 1870 census, A.R. Thomas, age 73, with Asenath, 67, son, E.R., 30, daughter-in-law,
Melissa A., 24, and grandson, Adelbert, age 3.
In 1880, Asa R. is listed in census as age 80, with Asenath, age 77, son,
Elihu R., age 40 and grandson, Adelbert W., age 14.
Stories
Asa B. Thomas, b. abt. 1797/9, Maine
Main Record
Elihu R. THOMAS, b. 1839/40, OH
link to father link to mother link to details link to stories
m.
Melissa A. ______ , b. 1846, NY
Children of Elihu and Melissa A. Thomas:
Adelbert W. THOMAS, b. 1867, WI
Details
Elihu R. THOMAS, b. 1839/40, OH
In 1870 census, A.R. Thomas, age 73, with Asenath, 67, son, E.R., 30, daughter-in-law,
Melissa A., 24, and grandson, Adelbert, age 3.
In 1880, Asa R. is listed in census as age 80, with Asenath, age 77, son,
Elihu R., age 40 and grandson, Adelbert W., age 14.
Not found subsequently.
Stories
Elihu R. THOMAS, b. 1839/40, OH
Main Record
Edward THOMAS, b. 1841/2, OH
link to father link to mother link to details link to stories
m.
Diantlra (sp??), b. 1846, OH
Children of Edward and Di Thomas:
Alice G. THOMAS, b. 1864, IA
Frank THOMAS, b. 1865, IA
Ira THOMAS, b. 1869, IA
George THOMAS, b. Mar 1870, IA
Details
Edward THOMAS, b. 1841/2, OH
Family recorded in 1870 census, Madison Township, Jones Co, IA. Cannot find
in any subsequent census data, to date (1 Mar 1998).
Stories
Edward THOMAS, b. 1841/2, OH
Main Record
James BUTLER, b. 1718, Parish of Coolkeny, County Wicklow, Ireland
m.
-----
Children of James and ____ Butler:
Thomas BUTLER, b. 2 Jan 1740, Ireland; d. 1832, PA
William BUTLER, b. Jul 1743, Ireland; d. 4 Mar 1839, Harmonsburg, Crawford
Co, PA
John BUTLER, b. 1745, Dublin; d. 30 Nov 1830,
Williams County, OH.
Jane BUTLER, b. 1747, Dublin; d. abt. 1830
Sarah BUTLER, b. 1749,
Details
James BUTLER, b. 1718, Parish of Coolkeny, County Wicklow, Ireland
See some excerpts from "The Butler Family
in America" and other references.
Stories
James BUTLER, b. 1718, Parish of Coolkeny, County Wicklow, Ireland
[Endnotes] and Sources
1. The Butler Family in America, Compiled by William David Butler (of St.
Louis, MO), John Cromwell Butler (late of Denver, CO), and Joseph Marion
Butler ( of Chicago, IL), Published by SHALLCROSS PRINTING CO., St. Louis,
MO.(dated around 1900, as an estimate). UMI G2638, microfilm at Mid-Continent
Library, Independence, OM.
2.