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Spencer Butler was born about 1757, in Fauquier County, Virginia, the son of William Butler and Mary (last name unknown).
Spencer married Elizabeth (last name unknown) about 1779, probably in Fauquier County. Elizabeth was probably born about 1758.
Spencer paid property taxes in Fauquier County for 1782 and 1783. About 1784, Spencer moved his family to Culpeper County, Virginia.
Spencer began paying taxes in Culpeper County in 1785.
Spencer was a fairly prosperous land owner prior to 1799. His land is mentioned in various deeds involving the Butler and related families. He amassed enough wealth before his death that he left a will.
Culpeper County Deed Book Y, dated June 20, 1803, shows Joshua Butler and wife sold to Spencer Butler, for 52 pounds 10 shillings, a tract of land containing 52 1/2 acres. The land was originally bought from William Roberts.
The 1810 Culpeper County census shows Spencer Butler, a male 45 & over; one male 16-25; two males 10-15; one male under 10; one female 45 & over and one female 16-25 years of age. The census shows Spencer had 4 slaves.
Culpeper County Deed Bk EE, dated October 13, 1810, shows Spencer and Betsey Butler sold his brother, Armistead Butler, 73 acres of land for 70 pounds: "... corner to Joseph Butler ... thence to a spur of Aaron Mt. corner to John Grimsley thence with said Grimsley’s line ...".
After 1811, Spencer began to appear on tax lists in the household of his son, William.
Culpeper County Deed Bk GG, dated December 10, 1814, shows Spencer Butler and Elizabeth his wife sold to James Duncan, for 75 pounds, 52 1/2 acres of land bought from Joshua Butler on June 20, 1803.
Elizabeth died between December 10, 1814, when she signed the property deed and July 20, 1818, when Spencer's will was signed.
Spencer's will is recorded in Culpeper County, Virginia Will Book H, page 93. In his will, which he signed on July 20, 1818, Spencer named his children.
Will of Spencer Butler
Culpeper County, Virginia
July 20, 1818
I,
Spencer Butler do make this my last will and testament in manner and
form following, that is to say;
First, I
give to my son, Thornton Butler, the tract of land now in his
possession there with all the perishable property belonging to my
estate to him and his heirs forever.
Second,
I give to my son William Butler my tract of lease land by his
paying all my just debts; but in case he should fail to make
satisfactory payments to my creditors, it is my desire and moreover I
direct that the said tract of land should be immedietly sold at the
discretion of my executors and the money arising therefrom should be
appropriated to the discharge of my said debts.
Third, I
give to my other sons and to my daughters namely Fielding Butler,
Willis Butler, Landon Butler, Joel Butler, Dorcas
Duncan, Sally Grimsley, Ann Willey, and Polly Miller
a legacy of five dollars to each of them to be paid by my son
Thornton Butler.
And
lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my sons William Butler and
Thornton Butler executors of this, my last will and testament.
In witness thereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal this twentieth day of July, in the year
one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
Test. Stephen Fisher, David Elkins, Curtis Cortney Spencer Butler
Spencer died between July 20 and September 21, 1818, at which time his will was probated.
On October 20, 1818, an Inventory and Appraisement of the Estate of Spencer Butler, deceased was conducted.
Children of Spencer Butler and Elizabeth
1. Dorcas Butler was born abt 1780, in Fauquier Co, VA.
2. Sarah "Sally" Butler was born abt 1782, in Fauquier Co, VA.
3. William Butler was born abt 1784, probably in Fauquier Co, VA.
4. Ann Butler was born abt 1786, in Culpeper Co, VA.
5. Thornton Butler was born abt 1788, in Culpeper Co, VA. He married Nancy Huffman abt 1820, in VA. He was mentioned in his father's will of 1818 to receive a tract of land. He was one of the executors of his father's will. He purchased land in Culpeper in 1820 and had serious debt problems the following year that landed him in jail. In May 1821, he sold part of his land to satisfy his debts. He appears on the 1830 Culpeper Co census with 2 sons and 4 daughters and on the 1840 Culpeper Co census with 4 sons and 4 daughters. He and Nancy probably died 1840-1849, in Culpeper Co.
6. Fielding Butler was born abt 1790, in Culpeper Co, VA.
7. Mary "Polly" Butler was born abt 1792, in Culpeper Co, VA. She married ____ Miller prior to 1818, probably in Culpeper Co. In 1818, Polly Miller was to receive five dollars in her father's will.
8. Landon H. Butler was born Feb 14, 1797, in Culpeper Co, VA.
9. Willis Butler was born Oct 18, 1798, in Culpeper Co, VA. Willis married (Name Unknown) prior to 1818. He was mentioned in his father's will to receive five dollars. Willis appears on the 1820 Culpeper Co census with his wife, two sons and a daughter, all under ten years old. He married his second wife, Frances Corbin on Mar 29, 1826, in Culpeper Co. They moved to Tuscarawas Co, OH prior to 1830. They appear on the 1830 Tuscarawas Co census with Willis's three children from his first marriage and two children of their own. Frances died prior to 1850, in Tuscarawas Co, OH. Willis died there before 1870.
10. Joel Butler was born abt 1801, in Culpeper Co, VA.