Deacon Richard Butler by Walter Percy Butler
"Descendants of Deacon Richard Butler of Hartford, Conn."
from the manuscript of Walter Percy Butler
In1894, Walter Percy Butler (1856 - 1939) became interested in his family history and planned to compile a record merely for himself. To accomplish this he corresponded with relatives all over the country.He never published his records, but when he died, all hisfamily papers were given to editor, Kathryn Morris Wilkinson, for her to publish. Although a book publication was never achieved, the first 193 pages are availablefor genealogical review.
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"QUOTE",
"When the ship "Hector" reached these new shoresin1632, from it landed two brothers, Richardand William Butler (colonists from Braintree, Essex County, England.
The brothers settled in Newtown (now known as Cambridge, Massachusetts).In June 1636they removed to Hartford,
Connecticut with the Hooker partyalong with one hundred
settlers.
Richard was probably born at Braintree about
1600, came to America on the ship "Hector" in 1632, and
died at Hartford, Conn. Aug. 6, 1684.The date and place
of his first marriage is unknown: nor do we have a name of the first wife, though she was the mother of three or possibly four of Richard's children. We do not have the exact date of Richard's birth; his age at the time he emmigrated to America; or the exact date of the birth of his children, most of whom must have been born in Hartford.
The name of Richard Butler first occurs in the
records of Cambridge, Mass. where the colonists were
largely from Braintree. He owned two acres of land at the corner of Main and Dana streets, adjoining his brother's two
acres, The land Richard owned is now called "Dana Hill"
but as late as 1775 it was known as "Butler's Hill".
Richard was an original proprietor of Hartford.
In1639 he received 16 acres on the east side of Main
street between State and Village streets.
Richard was:
a free man in Hartford in 1643
a juror in 1643-4and 1647-8
a townsman in 1649,1654, and 1658
on the committee for the mill 1661
grand jurorin 1660-2
Deputy of the General Court 1656-60
Clerk of the Court May 20, 1658
a merchant and leading citizen of Hartford
He owned land in Bradford and Wethersfield
There was a Richard Butler who owned property in Strafford, but discrepancies seem to prove him to have been another man.
Richard's will was dated April 2, 1677 naming his sons, Thomas and Samuel, overseers. The inventory taken2 Sept. 1684 amounted to 523 pounds.
Richard's second marriage was to Elizabeth Bigelow
She died 11 Sept. 1691.
Richard's children were:
1. Maryabt. 1635(probably at Cambridge) mar. Samuel Wright
2. Thomasabt. 1637mar. Sarah Stone(12children)
Thomas ** Hannah** Samuel** Elizabeth** Mary** Joseph
Hope** John** Margaret** Suzanna** Anne** Sarah
3. Samuel abt. 1639 mar. Mary Olmstead (8children)Samuel** James** Jonathan** George** Mary** Dorothy
Elizabeth** Sarah
4. Nathaniel abt. 1641 mar. Sarah Banbury(6 children)Samuel** Hannah** William** Ann** Abigail
Ruth
5. Elizabeth abt. 1643 mar. Deacon Joseph Olmstead(9 children)Joseph** James** Nicholas** Richard** Elizabeth** Nehemiah** Rebecca(1688)** Hannah**
Rebecca(1693)
6. Joseph abt. 1648 mar. Mary Goodrich(7 children) Richard** Benjamin** Joseph** Mary(1677)
Gershom** Charles** Mary(1703)
7. Daniel abt. 1650 mar. Mabel Olmstead
(6 children) Jonathan** Sarah** Mabel** Elizabeth
Mary** Hannah
8. Hannah abt. 1652 mar. John Green
Both Richard's and William's names are on the
Founder's Monument in the ancient burying grounds in
Hartford.
NOTE :A photo-copy of the Monument and that of a"Map of Hartford in 1640" is available. The map pinpoints the lots of Richard and William Butler along
with the lots of the other early founders.
SOURCE: Society of the Founders of Hartford
Conn. Historical Society
1 Elizabeth St.
Hartford, Conn. 06105
Information concerning photo-copies of the
unfinished book can be obtained from:
State Historical Society of Wisconsin
816StateSt.
Madison, Wisconsin53706
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Re: Deacon Richard Butler by Walter Percy Butler
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Re: Deacon Richard Butler by Walter Percy Butler
John R. Butler 9/19/04