Thomas
Butler
Born in Butler estates, Parish of Coolkeny, County Wicklow, Ireland
Ancestors 
Son of William (O'Brien) O'Brien Butler
[uncertain]
and Catherine (Butler) O'Brien Butler
[uncertain]
Brother of
James Butler, Joseph Butler, Murrough O'Brien Butler, Mary Ann O'Brien Butler, Pierce (Butler) O'Brien Butler and Edward O'Brien Butler
Husband of
Eleanor Parker
— married
26 Oct 1741 in Ireland [uncertain]
Descendants [uncertain] 
Father of
Richard Butler, William Butler, Thomas Butler Jr., Mary Butler, Rebecca Butler, Percival Butler, Edward Butler and Eleanor Butler
Died before
before age 71
in Pennsborough, Cumberland, Pennsylvania, United States
Profile last modified
| Created 26 May 2011
This page has been accessed 2,449 times.
Contents |
Biography
Thomas Butler was born on the Butler Estates in in the Parish of Coolkeny, County Wicklow, 6 April 1720.[1] He died in Pennsborough, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, between 20 September 1787 (date of will) and 23 July 1791 (date will proved).[2][3]
Thomas married in Ireland, 26 October 1731 to Eleanor Parker, daughter of Anthony Parker of Carey, County Wexford.[4]
In 1883, John Blair Lynn wrote about information published in 1848 by Sen. Francis P. Blair,[5]
- Thomas Butler (father of the family) was born in Kilkenny,
- Ireland, April 6, 1720, and was married there in 1742. Col.
- Richard Butler, Col. William Butler, and Capt. Thomas
- Butler were born in Ireland. The family then emigrated to
- Cumberland Valley, settling at Carlisle, Penna., where Lieu-
- tenant Percival Butler :was born, as well as Lieut. Edward
- Butler, the youngest son.
- Thomas Butler, the father, belonged to the Church of
- England, and was prominent in securing the building of the
- original (St. John's) Episcopal Church, which stood on the
- northeast corner of the public square at Carlisle. There is a
- petition on file, in the State Department at Harrisburg, signed
- by Robert Callender, George Croghan, Thomas Smallman,
- and Thomas Butler in 1765, "on behalf of the members of
- the Church of England in Cumberland County," representing
- that they had in part erected a church in Carlisle, but from
- the smallness of their number, and so forth, they were unable
- to finish it, and praying relief; which was granted by includ-
- ing the enterprise in the :lottery Act of February 15 of that
- year.
- F. P. Blair relates an anecdote of 1781, when the In-
- dians became troublesome on :the frontiers, derived from a
- letter belonging to an old Pennsylvania friend of the Butler
- parents, who brought it with him from Ireland. "While
- the five sons," says the epistle, "were absent from home
- in the service of the country, the old father took it into
- his head to go also. The neighbors remonstrated, but his
- wife said: 'Let him go; I can get along without him, and
- have something to feed the army in the bargain ; and the
- country wants every man who can shoulder a musket.'"
- It was doubtless this extraordinary zeal of the family Gen.
- Washington had in mind, when at his own table, surrounded
- by a large party of officers, he gave as a toast, "The Butlers
- and their five sons." This anecdote rests upon the authority
- of Gen. Finley, of Cincinnati, who long survived his com-
- rades in arms, and :delighted to talk of their martial deeds.
- Gen. Lafayette, in a letter still extant in the possession of a
- lady connected by marriage with the Butlers, wrote: 'When
- I wished a thing well done, I ordered a Butler to do it.' "
Family
Children of Thomas and Eleanor (Parker) Butler,[6]
- Richard Butler, born in Parish of St. Bridget's, Dublin, Ireland, 1 April 1743, and baptized there,[7] killed in the battle of the Miamis, Ohio, November 4, 1791.
- William Butler, born in St. Andrews Parish, [Dublin], 6 January 1745, died in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, 16 May 1789.
- Thomas Butler Jr., born in St. Andrews Parish, Dublin, 15 November 1746, died of yellow fever near New Orleans, Louisiana, 7 September 1805.
- Edward Butler, born in St. Bridget's Parish, Dublin, died 19 July 1748.
- Mary Butler, born in West Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 5 November 1749; married Jacob Scandret.
- Rebecca Butler, born in West Lancaster, 19 September 1751, died in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, "about the close of the century"; married Captain George McCulley.
- Child Butler, died in infancy
- Child Butler, died in infancy
- Child Butler, died in infancy
- Percival/Pierce Butler, born at Carlisle, 4 April 1760, died in Carrollton, Kentucky, 9 September 1821.
- Edward Butler, born in Cumberland County, 20 March 1762, died in Springfield, Tennessee, 6 May 1803.
- Eleanor Butler, born in Mt. Pleasant, Cumberland County, 31 December 1763, died in Carrollton, "early in the century"; married James Brown.
Research Notes
Parentage Numerous conflicts are noted regarding his parentage.
- No contemporaneous record of his birth, death or marriage. This means there is no contemporaneous record memorializes the names of his parents.
- No confirmation in The Complete Peerage (1916). See George E. Cokayne, The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland and Great Britain..., 13 vols. in 14, new ed., rev. (London, The St. Catherine press, ltd., 1910-59), 4 (Dacre to Dysart):516-521 (Dunboyne); digital images, InernetArchive, link courtesy of Heering-45. A 2009 analysis of those materials by X-3336 casts serious doubt on the notion that James Butler, said born 1718, was the son of William and Catherine.
- Was he son of Thomas Butler, 6th Baron Cahir? Courtesy of [Heering-45|Heering-45]], see Oxford DNB, as below. Heering notes, however, that Burke claims Thomas, son of the 6th Baron of Cahir, died without issue.
- "Butler, Richard (1743–1791), revolutionary army officer in America, was born on 1 April 1743 in St Bridget's parish, Dublin, the son of Thomas Butler, supposedly the son of a baron, possibly Thomas Butler, sixth Baron Cahir, and Eleanor Parker. He and his family emigrated to ..."
- Paul David Nelson; Published in print: 23 September 2004; Published online: 23 September 2004
- Family Bible? As to Richard's baptism, see further, John Blair Linn, "The Butler Family of the Pennsylvania Line," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, 7 (1883):1-7 at 7n; digital images, InternetArchive, the editor remarks about a "family bible."
Death. A prior version of this profile reported Thomas died in Frederick County, Virginia, 7 August 1764, but no support for that data is shown. Thomas wrote his will on 20 September 1787, then "of West Pennsborough in the County of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania Gunsmith"; the will was proved 23 July 1791.
Work in process to review the 1790 U.S. census (census date was 2 August 1790) for Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, to see if information there might help us narrow in on the date Thomas died.
Will. See Thomas Butler 1787 will in [Cumberland County, Pennsylvania] Copies of Wills, ?E:234-235; digital images, FamilySearch, FSL film 21106, digital collection (DGS) 5534174, image 408 of 617; will dated 20 September 1787, proved 23 July 1791; "... I Thomas Butler of West Pennsborough in the County of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania ..."; calls out family members,
- loving son, Richard Butler
- loving son Wm Butler
- loving wife Eleioner Butler
- loving daughter Elioner Butler
- loving and worthy son Capt. Thomas Butler
- loving son Peirce Butler
- loving son Edward Butler
1790 Census. - Work in process.
Sources
- ↑ William David Butler, John Cromwell Butler and Joseph Marion Butler, The Butler Family in America (St. Louis, Mo., Shallcross Printing Co., [1909]), 9 (Thomas Butler and Eleanor Parker); digital images via FamilySearch Catalog, FSL film 1401442, digital collection (DGS) 8923197, images 12 of 168 (p. 9)
- ↑ Thomas Butler 1787 will in [Cumberland County, Pennsylvania] Copies of Wills, ?E:234-235; digital images, FamilySearch, FSL film 21106, digital collection (DGS) 5534174, image 408 of 617; will dated 20 September 1787, proved 23 July 1791; "... I Thomas Butler of West Pennsborough in the County of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania ..."
- ↑ Thomas Butler (1720-1787), memorial 210573201, photograph of Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission plaque, photo of gun ship and news clipping (no gravestone image); web content, FindAGrave, reports his burial details are unknown ("Specifically: Burial on his farm in West Pennsboro Twnsp, Cumberland Co., PA"); memorial created by Jean M. W.; photos of gun shop and plaque added by Jean M. W.; news item added by CajunSSB.
- ↑ William David Butler, John Cromwell Butler and Joseph Marion Butler, The Butler Family in America (St. Louis, Mo., Shallcross Printing Co., [1909]), 9 (Thomas Butler and Eleanor Parker); digital images via FamilySearch Catalog, FSL film 1401442, digital collection (DGS) 8923197, image 12 of 168 (p. 9)
- ↑ John Blair Linn, "The Butler Family of the Pennsylvania Line," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, 7 (1883):1-7, transcript here of page 1-2; digital images, JSTOR.
- ↑ William David Butler, John Cromwell Butler and Joseph Marion Butler, The Butler Family in America (St. Louis, Mo., Shallcross Printing Co., [1909]), 9 (Thomas Butler and Eleanor Parker); digital images via FamilySearch Catalog, FSL film 1401442, digital collection (DGS) 8923197, images 12 of 168 (p. 9); the information is not without an inconsistency, as it reports eleven (11) children born to the union, saying two died in infancy, but then proceeds to list the children, including "the next three children [who] died in infancy."
- ↑ Rich^d Butler 1743 baptism in Parochial registers of St. Bride's (Dublin), 1633-1800 as "Ms. no. 1478 - Baptisms, 1633-1800", 345 (also penned as 393); digital image, FamilySearch, viewed as FSL film 1473384, digital collection (DGS) 8090128, image 503 of 740, "[date not viewable, sixth entry in "Christenings Commencing March 25th 1743"], Rich^d, son of Tho^s Butler & Elinor his wife Little ?Sheoss St." (X-3336, Is this Little Ship Street? ... Ship Street Little?)
See also:
- John Blair Linn, "The Butler Family of the Pennsylvania Line," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, 7 (1883):1-7; digital images, JSTOR and InternetArchive.
- Likeness of Richd Butler, from https://archive.org/stream/jstor-20084587/20084587#page/n1/mode/2up; see also https://www.jstor.org/stable/20084587?seq=1 (includes signature)
- William David Butler, John Cromwell Butler and Joseph Marion Butler, The Butler Family in America (St. Louis, Mo., Shallcross Printing Co., [1909]), 4, but especially 6-9 and 16-17; digital images, accessible at FamilySearch Books via FamilySearch] or on FSL film 1401442, digital collection 8923197 for
- p. 6-9, FamilySearch, image 11-12 of 168.
- p. 16-19. FamilySearch, images 17-18 of 168.
- p. 111-171 (Major General Richard Butler), FamilySearch, beginning at image 64 of 168.
- p. 173-195 (Col. William Butler), FamilySearch, beginning at image 96 of 168.
- p. 197-227 (Col. Thomas Butler, Jr.), FamilySearch, beginning at image 108 of 168.
- p. 229-277 (General Percival/Pierce Butler), FamilySearch, beginning at image 124 of 168.
- p. 279- (Adjutant General Edward Butler), FamilySearch, beginning at image 149 of 168.
- See related, Some Butler Research Notes.
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DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Thomas by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA. However, there are no known yDNA or mtDNA test-takers in his direct paternal or maternal line. It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Thomas:
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Thomas by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA. However, there are no known yDNA or mtDNA test-takers in his direct paternal or maternal line. It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Thomas:
-
~0.78%
Bill Smith
:
23andMe
+
AncestryDNA, Ancestry member 65911
-
~0.39%
Nathan Hall :
23andMe, GEDmatch MJ8815763 [compare]
Have you taken a DNA test? If so, login to add it. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA.
Rejected matches › Thomas Butler (abt.1720-1784)
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The Butler Family in America (c1909) reports (p. 6) that brothers James and Thomas were born "on the Butler estates in the Parish of Coolkeny, County Wicklow, of Dublin ...." For this we find, "Coolkenno"; web content, Wikipedia, for "Coolkenno (Irish: Cuil Ui Caoinaith meaning The Nook of The Ui Caoinaith clan) is a village in County Wicklow in Ireland. It is located about halfway between Tullow in County Carlow and Shillelagh in County Wicklow."
In the earlier 1883 article, however, Thomas' birthplace is given as "Kilkenny, Ireland"--see John Blair Linn, "The Butler Family of the Pennsylvania Line," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, 7 (1883):1-7 at 1; digital images, InternetArchive. About this place we find, "Kilkenny"; web content, Wikipedia, including, "Kilkenny (Irish: Cill Chainnigh [ˌciːl̠ʲ ˈxan̠ʲəj], meaning 'church of Cainnech') is a city in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is located in the South-East Region and in the province of Leinster. It is built on both banks of the River Nore.
The interwebs report that by modern means, the distance between these places is is 56.0 km--not insignificant--taking 43 minutes via "M9."
Unless there are objections, I plan to maintain the 1909 information and note the 1883 alternative in a research note.--GeneJ
Edited to add: The c1909 work reports Thomas married 26 October 1731 to Eleanor Parker, daughter of Anthony Parker of Carey, County Wexford" .... County Wexford is conveniently located between and to the south of both County Wicklow and County Kilkenny. ("Counties of Ireland"; web content, Wikipedia, and seems consistent with the counties of the "Republic of Ireland"; web content, Wikipedia, for the map and legend which similarly is found on "Local government in the Republic of Ireland"; web content, Wikipedia.)
Of note, Dublin is just above County Wicklow, thus it is much further from Dublin to County Kilkenny.
edited by GeneJ X
https://www.oxforddnb.com/browse?gender=Male&isQuickSearch=true&pageSize=10&sort=titlesort&t_1=OccupationsAndRealmsOfRenown%3A45
Although Burke claims that Thomas, son of the 6th Baron of Cahir, died without issue: https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_K3MaAAAAYAAJ/page/96/mode/2up
edited by V. Heering
It's like musical chairs, isn't it.
Have located what is surely Richard Butler's 1743 baptismal record (below), which places his parents' (Thomas and Eleanor) residence on (me thinks) Little Sheep Street. The 1883 article by John Blair Linn, the editor includes a note that mentions "the family bible."
Parochial registers of St. Bride's (Dublin), 1633-1800 as "Ms. no. 1478 - Baptisms, 1633-1800", 345 (also penned as 393); digital image, FamilySearch, viewed as FSL film 1473384, digital collection (DGS) 8090128, image 503 of 740, "[date not viewable, sixth entry in "Christenings Commencing March 25th 1743"], Rich^d, son of Tho^s Butler & Elinor his wife Little ?Sheoss St." << could that be Little Ship Street ... Ship Street Little?
You wrote, "Although Burke claims that Thomas, son of the 6th Baron of Cahir, died without issue: https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_K3MaAAAAYAAJ/page/96/mode/2up "
Wash, rinse and repeat--"without issue." Squeezing one overlooked babe in there would be difficult enough ... much less if he comes with two brothers.
Separately, have made no progress identifying historical records about Eleanor (Parker) Butler's parents/family. She is said the daughter of "daughter of Anthony Parker of Carey, County Wexford, Ireland."
edited by GeneJ X
From the Wikipedia entry, St. Bride's, Dublin (aka St. Bridget's) was part of the Church of Ireland.
Do you know how would that relate to the protestant/Catholic difference?
https://www.jstor.org/stable/42973720
His will is dated 20 September 1787, and he was then, "Thomas Butler of West Pennsborough in the County of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania Gunsmith"; the will was proved 23 July 1791
Edited to add: Unless we are able to find better historical information, should Thomas' death be reported as probably West Pennsborough, between 20 September 1787 (date of will) and 23 July 1791 (date will proved)?
Work in process to review the 1790 U.S. census (census date was 2 August 1790) for Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, to see if information in those records might help us narrow in on the date Thomas died. So far, nothing confirming has been learned.
Rough notes here. Cumberland on FSL film 568148, digital collection (DGS) 5157140:
edited by GeneJ X
According to the c1909 work (p. 9), Thomas Butler married 26 October 1741, Eleanor Parker, daughter of Anthony Parker of Carey, County Wexford, Ireland.
William David Butler, John Cromwell Butler and Joseph Marion Butler, The Butler Family in America (St. Louis, Mo., Shallcross Printing Co., [1909]), 4, 6-9, 16, 17 and 63, 73-83, 96 (William Butler), 111-171 (Richard^2 Butler) a at 9 (Thomas Butler and Eleanor Parker); digital images via FamilySearch Catalog, FSL film 1401442, digital collection (DGS) 8923197, images 12 of 168 (p. 9); the information is not without an inconsistency, as it reports eleven (11) children born to the union, saying two died in infancy, but then proceeds to list the children, including "the next three children [who] died in infancy."
Parochial registers of St. Bride's (Dublin), 1633-1800 as "Ms. no. 1478 - Baptisms, 1633-1800", 345 (also penned as 393); digital image, FamilySearch, viewed as FSL film 1473384, digital collection (DGS) 8090128, image 503 of 740, "[date not viewable, sixth entry in "Christenings Commencing March 25th 1743"], Rich^d, son of Tho^s Butler & Elinor his wife Little ?Sheoss St." << could that be Little Ship Street ... Ship Street Little?
As to Richard's baptism, see further, John Blair Linn, "The Butler Family of the Pennsylvania Line," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, 7 (1883):1-7 at 7n; digital images, InternetArchive, the editor remarks about a "family bible."
William should be at St. Andrews, haven't found those records yet-- 1 January 1745. There is a question about St. Andrews--should this be a St. Andrews in Dublin or London? Separately, for Dublin, see https://www.johngrenham.com/records/rc_church.php?search_type=like&county=Dublin%20city&parish=Dublin%20city
Did not find Edward(1) in the 1748 records https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSJ9-R8H1?i=525&cat=553953, but he lived such a short time, might his birth have been reported in the death register, which this film doesn't cover.
Thomas Butler 1787 will in [Cumberland County, Pennsylvania] Copies of Wills, ?E:234-235; digital images, FamilySearch, FSL film 21106, digital collection (DGS) 5534174, image 408 of 617; will dated 20 September 1787, proved 23 July 1791; "... I Thomas Butler of West Pennsborough in the County of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania ..."; calls out family members,
John Blair Linn, "The Butler Family of the Pennsylvania Line," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, 7 (1883):1-7; digital images, JSTOR and InternetArchive.
"Butler Family has Many Descendants," The (New Orleans, Louisiana) Times-Picayune, Sunday, March 12, 1978, page 75 (sec. 3, p. 9); digital image, FindAGrave, courtesy of CajunSSB.
Thomas Butler (1720-1787), memorial 210573201, photograph of Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission plaque, photo of gun ship and news clipping (no gravestone image); web content, FindAGrave, reports his burial details are unknown ("Specifically: Burial on his farm in West Pennsboro Twnsp, Cumberland Co., PA"); memorial created by Jean M. W.; photos of gun shop and plaque added by Jean M. W.; news item added by CajunSSB.
edited by GeneJ X
If Catherine (Butler) O'Brien Butler (abt.1730-abt.1807) was indeed born about 1730 and married in 1763, she could not have been the mother of the immigrating brothers, James Butler (1718-), Thomas Butler (1720-1764) and Joseph Butler (1728-).
Are there any objections to marking the three immigrants' parentage as uncertain?