Some sources indicate the Butler surname is an English and Irish occupational name for a wine steward. In medieval times, the wine steward was the chief servant found in households of nobility. This was an office denoting rank and responsibility.
We found records of hundreds of Butler immigrations during the 1600 and 1700's. Some of the earliest Butler immigrants included Edward Butler to Virginia in 1623; John Butler and William Butler to Virginia in 1635; Henry Butler to Virginia in 1637; Robert Butler to Virginia in 1640; Joseph Butler to Virginia in 1664; and Benjamin Butler to Maryland in 1669.
The 1790 Virginia census shows hundreds of Butler families living in the fertile farmlands of Virginia.
I have done little research on the Butler line to date. Most of the information contained here on this family was submitted to me by Rosemary Smith Stout and Sue Parish, both Butler descendants. I am grateful to them for sharing their information. As I research and find more information, it will be added to this site.
According to Rosemary, my 5th great grandfather, William Butler, was born about 1724, in Prince William County, Virginia. Sue gives his birth as 1735.
William married my 5th great grandmother, Mary (last name unknown), about 1754 in Prince William County, Virginia. Mary was born about 1736, in Prince William County.
William served in the Revolutionary War. He died 1805-1807, in Culpeper County, Virginia. Mary died there about 1810.
William and Mary are thought to have had the following children. Information varies on their dates of birth. Dates given below were contributed by Sue Parish.
Children of William Butler and Mary
1. Joseph Butler, b. abt 1755, Culpeper Co, VA (my line)
2. Spencer Butler, b. abt 1757, Prince William Co, VA
3. Armstead Butler, b. abt. 1760, Culpeper Co, VA
4. William Butler, b. abt 1762, Culpeper Co, VA; d. 1843, Lincoln Co, MO; m. Mary Sturbridge
5. Charles Butler, b. abt 1764
6. Nancy Butler, b. abt 1766, Culpeper Co, VA
7. Benjamin Butler, b. abt 1768, Fauquier Co, VA; m. Mary Edwards on Dec 1, 1790, Culpeper Co, VA
I am not a professional genealogist and although I have researched some of the information found at this site, much of it was given to me by other researchers and may not have been documented. Each bit of information found here should be carefully researched and proved or disproved by you, the researcher. Researchers may copy information found at this site for their own personal use and to share with other researchers or genealogical organizations. Any commercial use or distribution without the written consent of this author is prohibited.
If you would like to be listed as a Butler researcher, or if you find errors or have additional information to contribute, please contact roykat@cyberback.com
Others researching the Butler line:
Steve
Strickland (descendant of Joseph Butler)
Wilma
Wayne (descendant of James H. Butler)
Jon
Stallard (descendant of Spencer Butler)