William Butler (1738 - 1821)

Born 12 Jun 1738 in Concord Twp., Chester, Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Husband of Jane Woodward — married 20 Apr 1762 in Uwchlan Mm, Chester, Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died 13 Mar 1821 at age 82 in Newlin Twp., Chester, Pennsylvania, USA

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Lynden Rodriguez [send private message]

Biography

William Butler^[1]

Birth: 12 Apr 1738, Uwchlan, Chester, Pennsylvania^[2]

Death: 13 Mar 1821, Newlin, Chester, Pennsylvania^[3]

Burial: Uwchlan Friends Meeting Cemetery, Uwchlan, Chester, Pennsylvania^[4]

Will

Will: 24 Jan 1814, Chester, Pennsylvania^[5][6][7]

Will Proved: 11 Apr 1821, Chester, Pennsylvania^[8]

Marriage

Husband: William Butler

Wife: Jane Woodward

Marriage: 20 Apr 1762, Uwchlan Friends Meeting Cemetery, Uwchlan, Chester, Pennsylvania^[9][10][11]

Parents & Siblings

Father: Noble Butler

Mother: Rachel Jones

1. Enoch Butler
2. John Butler
3. William Butler
4. Noble Butler
5. Bersheba Butler
6. Benjamin Butler

Marriage: 18 Aug 1727, West Goshen, Chester, Pennsylvania^[12][13][14]

Research Notes

Note N11903William Butler, son of Noble and Rachel (Jones) Butler, was born in Uwchlan Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, on 4th month (June), 12th, 1738 and died in Newlin Township, Chester County on March 13, 1821. He was buried at Uwchlan Friends Cemetery. He was married at Uwchlan Friends Meeting on 4th month 20, 1762 to Jane Woodward, daughter of James and Ann (Pyle) Woodward. She was born in Bradford Township, Chester County, 8th month (October) 3rd, 1739 and died in Birmingham Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, on July 1, 1814.

William Butler first appears as a witness at the wedding of his brother John Butler in 1760 and in the same year his name appears for the first time as a taxpayer, as a freeman or unmarried man, on the Uwchlan Township tax list. The year previously his father had conveyed to him 100 acres of land being a portion of the original Noble Butler tract. This was supplemented by an additional forty-two acres being a tract of land called "Nobility" according to the original patent records in Harrisburg (see description with his father's record). It is interesting to note that despite his father's extensive land holdings William was the only son to receive his portion of land during his father's lifetime.

William's marriage in 1762 took place at Uwchlan Meeting rather than at the bride's place of worship, a custom already established by other bridegrooms in the Butler family. Jane Woodward had previously obtained the permission of Bradford Monthly Meeting to marry William. The marriage certificate is witnessed by the groom's parents and his brother John, by eight members of the Woodward family and by representatives of Quaker families including Buffington, Roberts, Trimble, Lewis, Downing, Todhunter, and Beale.

William Butler remained a Quaker throughout his lifetime and, unlike his brothers and his sister he was apparently entirely free of infractions of Quaker discipline. He was active in Meeting, serving in various capacities. His attitude with regard to the Revolutionary War is not clear. As a group the Quakers were neutral and William's name appears in meeting records throughout the War including his appointment to represent Uwchlan at the Quarterly Meeting of Friends on May 7, 1778. On the other hand the name of William Butler appears with those of John Butler, Enoch Butler, and Benjamin Butler on a list reported by Captain Denney of the Pennsylvania Militia in 1780. Captain Denney's list refers to those eligible to serve rather than a record of actual service.

William Butler remained resident in Uwchlan Township until 1790 after which he removed to Birmingham Township in Delaware County, also in Pennsylvania. He retained, however, the ownership of his Uwchlan land. His home in Birmingham Township was located high on a hill overlooking the Brandywine Creek. It was described in a Federal census in 1797 as being some sixty feet in length. A house later erected on the land was in 1979 the home of Mrs. Ford B. Draper. William remained in Birmingham at least until 1814 the year of his wife's death, the tax list of that year referring to his status as "gentleman".

As early as 1789 William Butler had acquired 200 acres in Newlin Township in Chester County, and in 1796 he had bought 350 acres in East Marlborough Township, adjoining Newlin Township. In 1816 he conveyed half of the Newlin tract to his son William Butler, Jr., and in 1819 the remainder to his son Samuel Butler. It is apparent that William Butler left his home in Delaware County after his wife's death; although his will, written in 1814 describes him as a resident of Birmingham Township, it was probated in Chester County in 1821 describing him as residing in Newlin Township, where he was no doubt living with his son Samuel Butler.

At his death William Butler was the last surviving child of Noble Butler, having attained the age of almost eighty-three years. His death was reported in the local press and his body was removed to Uwchlan for burial. William, his son, wrote on April 21, 1821 to another son Amos, in Indiana: "Father died the 13 of March last and has left thee and thy two sisters the Brandywine place that he lived on when thee was in this part."

- Noble Butler (1704-1799) of Bristol, England, Philadelphia and Chester County, Pennsylvania, His Ancestors and Descendants. 1982. p. 67-68.

Will of William Butler (1)

Be it Remembered that I William Butler of the Township of Birmingham in the County of Delaware in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Yeoman being weak in Body but of sound and disposing mind and memory and calling to mind the Mortality of my Body do think fit This Twenty fourth day of January in the year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred and fourteen to make and ordain this my last will and Testament. the which I do in the following manour and Form that is to say - In the first place it is my will and I do order that all my Just debts and Funeral expenses shall be duly paid and discharged out of my Estate by my Executors Herein after Named-

2dly I do hereby Nominate constitute and Appoint my Son James Butler and my Son William Butler Executors of this my last Will and Testament and I do allow them the Sum of Fifteen Pounds between them for their Trouble and no more-

3dly I Give and Bequeath to my beloved Wife Jane all the Rents and Profits Arising out of the Plantation I now live on in Birmingham Township and County of Delaware, together with all my Personal Estate thereon of Whatever kind at my Decease for and during the term of her Natural Life for her comfortable Maintenance and after her decease to go as is hereafter mentioned-

4thly I Give and devise to my Son Samuel Butler the Plantation he now lives on in Newlin Township Chester County agreeable to a late Survey done by Joshua Pierce and to his Heirs and Assigns for ever also I give and Bequeath unto the aforesaid Samuel Butler the Sum of One hundred and Fifty Pounds to be paid him after my Wifes decease Should she out live me and if not at my decease-

5thly I Give and devise to my Son James Butler the Plantation he now lives on in Uchlan Township Chester County and to his Heirs and Assigns for ever he paying out there of the Sum of Two hundred and Thirty seven pounds with lawfull Interest untill paid-

6thly I Give and Devise to my Son William Butler the Plantation he now lives on Adjoining Samuel Butler it being the Remainder of said place in Newlin Township Chester County and to his Heirs and Assigns for ever he paying out thereof the Sum of Fifty Pounds-

7thly I Give and devise unto my Son Amos Butler and unto my two daughters Rachel Butler and Sarah Butler, the Plantation I now live on in Birmingham Township Delaware County and to their Heirs and Assigns for ever Share and Share alike also I give & Bequeath unto the aforesaid Amos Butler and Rachel Butler and Sarah Butler all the Residue and remainder of my personal estate. they paying out of the Same, unto my Grand Children. William Taylor. John Taylor. Isaac Taylor, and Huston (Huson) Taylor, when each of them Arives to the Age of Twenty One Years, the one Seventh part of the whole Value of Said Plantation, as also the one Seventh part of the Residue and Remainder of my Personal Estate to be divided equally between them Share and Share Alike, the above Said Real and Personal Estate to be Appraised by two or more Judicious Men, at my Wife decease Should She Survive me, otherwise at my decease.

8thly And lastly I do hereby Utterly disalow, Revoke and disanull all and every other former Will, Testament Legacies and Executors, by me in Anywise here to fore named, made, Willed, or Bequeathed. Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal the day and year first before Written

Signed, Sealed Published Pronounced and declared by the Said William Butler in the presence of us the Subscribers for and as his last Will and Testament

Wm Butler (Seal)N11904

Will of William Butler (2)

Be it Remembered that I William Butler of the Township of Birmingham in the County of Delaware in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Yeoman being weak in Body but of sound and disposing mind and memory and calling to mind the Mortality of my Body do think fit This Twenty fourth day of January in the year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred and fourteen to make and ordain this my last will and Testament. the which I do in the following manour and Form that is to say - In the first place it is my will and I do order that all my Just debts and Funeral expenses shall be duly paid and discharged out of my Estate by my Executors Herein after Named-

2dly I do hereby Nominate constitute and Appoint my Son James Butler and my Son William Butler Executors of this my last Will and Testament and I do allow them the Sum of Fifteen Pounds between them for their Trouble and no more-

3dly I Give and Bequeath to my beloved Wife Jane all the Rents and Profits Arising out of the Plantation I now live on in Birmingham Township and County of Delaware, together with all my Personal Estate thereon of Whatever kind at my Decease for and during the term of her Natural Life for her comfortable Maintenance and after her decease to go as is hereafter mentioned-

4thly I Give and devise to my Son Samuel Butler the Plantation he now lives on in Newlin Township Chester County agreeable to a late Survey done by Joshua Pierce and to his Heirs and Assigns for ever also I give and Bequeath unto the aforesaid Samuel Butler the Sum of One hundred and Fifty Pounds to be paid him after my Wifes decease Should she out live me and if not at my decease-

5thly I Give and devise to my Son James Butler the Plantation he now lives on in Uchlan Township Chester County and to his Heirs and Assigns for ever he paying out there of the Sum of Two hundred and Thirty seven pounds with lawfull Interest untill paid-

6thly I Give and Devise to my Son William Butler the Plantation he now lives on Adjoining Samuel Butler it being the Remainder of said place in Newlin Township Chester County and to his Heirs and Assigns for ever he paying out thereof the Sum of Fifty Pounds-

7thly I Give and devise unto my Son Amos Butler and unto my two daughters Rachel Butler and Sarah Butler, the Plantation I now live on in Birmingham Township Delaware County and to their Heirs and Assigns for ever Share and Share alike also I give & Bequeath unto the aforesaid Amos Butler and Rachel Butler and Sarah Butler all the Residue and remainder of my personal estate. they paying out of the Same, unto my Grand Children. William Taylor. John Taylor. Isaac Taylor, and Huston (Huson) Taylor, when each of them Arives to the Age of Twenty One Years, the one Seventh part of the whole Value of Said Plantation, as also the one Seventh part of the Residue and Remainder of my Personal Estate to be divided equally between them Share and Share Alike, the above Said Real and Personal Estate to be Appraised by two or more Judicious Men, at my Wife decease Should She Survive me, otherwise at my decease.

8thly And lastly I do hereby Utterly disalow, Revoke and disanull all and every other former Will, Testament Legacies and Executors, by me in Anywise here to fore named, made, Willed, or Bequeathed. Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal the day and year first before Written

Signed, Sealed Published Pronounced and declared by the Said William Butler in the presence of us the Subscribers for and as his last Will and Testament

Wm Butler (Seal)N8761

Note N8762William Butler, son of Noble and Rachel (Jones) Butler, was born in Uwchlan Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, on 4th month (June), 12th, 1738 and died in Newlin Township, Chester County on March 13, 1821. He was buried at Uwchlan Friends Cemetery. He was married at Uwchlan Friends Meeting on 4th month 20, 1762 to Jane Woodward, daughter of James and Ann (Pyle) Woodward. She was born in Bradford Township, Chester County, 8th month (October) 3rd, 1739 and died in Birmingham Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, on July 1, 1814.

William Butler first appears as a witness at the wedding of his brother John Butler in 1760 and in the same year his name appears for the first time as a taxpayer, as a freeman or unmarried man, on the Uwchlan Township tax list. The year previously his father had conveyed to him 100 acres of land being a portion of the original Noble Butler tract. This was supplemented by an additional forty-two acres being a tract of land called "Nobility" according to the original patent records in Harrisburg (see description with his father's record). It is interesting to note that despite his father's extensive land holdings William was the only son to receive his portion of land during his father's lifetime.

William's marriage in 1762 took place at Uwchlan Meeting rather than at the bride's place of worship, a custom already established by other bridegrooms in the Butler family. Jane Woodward had previously obtained the permission of Bradford Monthly Meeting to marry William. The marriage certificate is witnessed by the groom's parents and his brother John, by eight members of the Woodward family and by representatives of Quaker families including Buffington, Roberts, Trimble, Lewis, Downing, Todhunter, and Beale.

William Butler remained a Quaker throughout his lifetime and, unlike his brothers and his sister he was apparently entirely free of infractions of Quaker discipline. He was active in Meeting, serving in various capacities. His attitude with regard to the Revolutionary War is not clear. As a group the Quakers were neutral and William's name appears in meeting records throughout the War including his appointment to represent Uwchlan at the Quarterly Meeting of Friends on May 7, 1778. On the other hand the name of William Butler appears with those of John Butler, Enoch Butler, and Benjamin Butler on a list reported by Captain Denney of the Pennsylvania Militia in 1780. Captain Denney's list refers to those eligible to serve rather than a record of actual service.

William Butler remained resident in Uwchlan Township until 1790 after which he removed to Birmingham Township in Delaware County, also in Pennsylvania. He retained, however, the ownership of his Uwchlan land. His home in Birmingham Township was located high on a hill overlooking the Brandywine Creek. It was described in a Federal census in 1797 as being some sixty feet in length. A house later erected on the land was in 1979 the home of Mrs. Ford B. Draper. William remained in Birmingham at least until 1814 the year of his wife's death, the tax list of that year referring to his status as "gentleman".

As early as 1789 William Butler had acquired 200 acres in Newlin Township in Chester County, and in 1796 he had bought 350 acres in East Marlborough Township, adjoining Newlin Township. In 1816 he conveyed half of the Newlin tract to his son William Butler, Jr., and in 1819 the remainder to his son Samuel Butler. It is apparent that William Butler left his home in Delaware County after his wife's death; although his will, written in 1814 describes him as a resident of Birmingham Township, it was probated in Chester County in 1821 describing him as residing in Newlin Township, where he was no doubt living with his son Samuel Butler.

At his death William Butler was the last surviving child of Noble Butler, having attained the age of almost eighty-three years. His death was reported in the local press and his body was removed to Uwchlan for burial. William, his son, wrote on April 21, 1821 to another son Amos, in Indiana: "Father died the 13 of March last and has left thee and thy two sisters the Brandywine place that he lived on when thee was in this part."

- Noble Butler (1704-1799) of Bristol, England, Philadelphia and Chester County, Pennsylvania, His Ancestors and Descendants. 1982. p. 67-68.

Sources

• Source: S604 Author: Butler Family Association Title: Noble Butler: (1704-1799) of Bristol, England, Philadelphia and Chester County, Pennsylvania, His Ancestors and Descendants Publication: Name: Butler Family Association; Date: 1982;

1. ↑ Source: #S604 Page: p. 58
2. ↑ Source: #S604 Page: p. 67-91
3. ↑ Source: #S604 Page: p. 67-91
4. ↑ Source: #S604 Page: p. 67-91
5. ↑ Note: #N8761
6. ↑ Note: #N11904
7. ↑ Source: #S604 Page: p. 70
8. ↑ Source: #S604 Page: p. 67-91
9. ↑ Note: #N11149
10. ↑ Note: #N14073
11. ↑ Source: #S604 Page: p. 67
12. ↑ Note: #N15129
13. ↑ Note: #N15130
14. ↑ Source: #S604 Page: p. 40-41

Acknowledgments

• WikiTree profile Butler-3111 created through the import of WORCESTER_2012-07-31.ged on Jul 31, 2012 by Bob Worcester.