Butler Family..Our American Story: 2012

Wilma Butler Burgin.... " the love of family is still in our hearts."

When I was born I had five grandmothers-two grandmothers and three great-grandmothers. The great-grandmothers did not die until I was in High School and I do remember them.
When Mama and Papa Butler moved to Atlanta and lived in the house on Leslie St. I often would ride my bike over to see and visit them. Some times Mama Butler would let me unbraid her hair and comb it. I loved doing this.. her hair was so long. I'd never seen anything like it. When we lived in the country before moving to Atlanta Mama and Papa Butler kept me while mother worked. I was so unhappy about being left I would sit on the back rock step leading into the house waiting for mother to come get me.
Mama Butler would call everyone of her children every night to hear from them. That was for those living in town. For the two out of state, she'd call them once a week.
I can never really remember Papa Butler having a conversation with anyone. But I do know that my mother said he was the smartest man she had ever known..especially with math. He could do figures in his head and have the answer before most could write the problem down. When the Butler children were in school, they were all considered to be the smartest..although the boys would get into trouble at times.
I have always loved being around family..both sides. After daddy died, I especially loved being with and listening to Mack and David. It was just like a visit with Daddy for me. They were all so close and so very much alike.
I remember during the war that David sent Aunt Jewell money to buy Martha a Christmas present from him. Aunt Jewell asked Mother to go with her to get and wrap the gift, then take it to Martha's family home. I remember sitting on a stone wall outside her house while Mother and Aunt Jewell delivered the present. Martha had to have been really surprised!
I also remember Mother and Daddy going with David when Martha had Lydia. They were so happy and proud for them.

Our Yankee Cousins........

Almost every summer when we were growing up in Brushy Fork Uncle Mac and Aunt Margaret along with Keith and Janice would come down to visit us from their home in Clifton NJ. After World War II Uncle Mac married Aunt Margaret who was the sister of his best friend in the army. She was from New Jersey, so Keith and Janice were our Yankee cousins. When they came to visit, we would start indoctrinating them into Southerness. First they had to go barefooted and start saying ya'll. They were not allowed to say "pop", it had to be "coke or co-cola". We had grits every morning for breakfast and homemade ice cream at night. They learned to say "yes mam" and" no sir" the first few minutes they set foot on the farm. We knew we didn't have long to help them connect with their Rebel roots so it was intense at times. They must have liked it because they kept coming back and they stayed for weeks at the time. Uncle Mac was proof that "you can take the boy out of the South, but you can't take the South out of the boy." Lydia Butler Anderson

Brushy Fork........

1954 A red dirt road ran in front of our little house. Covered with black tar paper with a tin roof, it had once been Brushy Fork School House. It was moved to the top of the hill from the fork in the road and daddy had made it our home. He had put a large front porch across the front and a smaller one on the back. Outside he built a double hole outhouse about 100 feet from the back porch. The kitchen had a large white sink with running cold water from the well. The living room contained a wood/coal burning potbelly stove that was the only source of heat. There were two bedrooms, one next to the living room and one off the kitchen. A bare light bulb hung from the ceilings in each of the 4 rooms, with a string that pulled to turn it on and off. The nearest neighbor was about a mile away, and across from the house were the Cooper Woods, a 200+ tract of huge pine trees. There were so few cars that we could hear one coming a long time before we actually saw it. That gave us all time to run outside and wait to see who it might be. Usually it was just the mailman, but sometimes it was a car with people in it. The excitment of seeing a car drive down Brushy Fork Road had to rival any video game kids have today. At night the quiet breeze would blow through the pine trees making a sound that I haven't heard in a long time. Fireflies flickered at sunset, and in the summer the smell of the fields and summer rain through our open windows would soothe us to sleep. Lydia Butler Anderson

Band Of Brothers........

During WWII Four of Lydia & Tom Butlers' sons were serving in the conflict. Ed, John, Mac, and David. Ed and David in the Pacific and Mac and John in Europe. Bud a son in law was serving in Europe and Bill the other son in law was serving at home by growing food to feed the nation. While populations in Europe were starving, our farm families kept good food on the tables of America and food for the troops. Dennis was exempt because of a heart valve that was damaged from rheumatic fever as a teenager. I know my grandparents were comforted by Uncle Dennis being there for them during that difficult time. The wives and parents and others served also in the war effort supporting the fighting men so far from home.
My grandmother said she did not worry about her sons and son in law because "what is to be will be". They were in God's hands and she trusted him to take care of them and to give her strength no matter happened. Their stories of the war are full of miracles of survival. Mama Butler's faith and prayers were answered, because they all made it home safely and lived after the war to raise families and enjoy coming home to a grateful nation.

DNA Results

My Cousin , Gary Butler has his DNA results back and they are very interesting. We are definitely descended from Zachariah Butler b Va. 1736 in Hanover Co. He had sons James, Patrick, Nathan, and Joel. Circumstantial evidence suggests that Nathan b 1762 is the son we were descended from. He is in Walton Co . Ga. in1830 along with Papa Butler's gggreat grandfather, Patrick Butler b 1799.
Since there are no other DNA samples from Nathan yet..there was a partial match with Joel, and also Patrick. Further research on this is needed. I am going to find others from Nathan who will take the DNA test. I am also going to research Joel. I will keep everyone posted.
Again Thanks Gary for doing the DNA test.

Dare Butler Sells Recipes

Chocolate Pie
1 Baked Pie Crust 1 C Sugar
3 Tbls Flour 2 Tbls Cocoa
1 Stick Margarine 2 C Sweet Milk
3 Eggs, Separated 1 Tsp Vanilla

Mix suger, flour and cocoa together until well blended. Separate eggs. Beat yolks, adding milk and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients. Mix well. Add margarine, cook in saucepan until thick. Pour into baked piecrust. Top with meringue and brown in the oven.

Egg Custard
3 Egg Yolks 1 1/3 C Sweet Milk
1 Stick Margarine Nutmeg to Taste
1C Sugar 1 Unbaked Pie Shell
1 Tbls Self-Rising Flour
Mix first 5 ingredients together. Cook in top of double boiler until slightly thickened. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Bake at 450 until crust is brown and pie is thick

"The Greatest Generation",Tom Brokaw Journalist

The children of Tom and Lydia Butler have been called the greatest generation because of their saving the world from the evil of Hitler, Mussolini, and the Japanese war machine.
This writing is dedicated to that generation. You were our parents and grandparents. The world is a better place because of what you did and what you sacrificed in the years 1941-45. Most of you are gone now. We will never forget. Thank you. We love you. Your lives made a difference....dedicated to my father and mother:

David A. Butler and Martha Garner Butler

My Aunts and Uncles:

Ed Butler and Micky Butler
Jewell Butler Reynolds and Bud Reynolds
Dare Butler Sells and Bill Sells
Dennis Butler and Lyndall Brooks Butler
Mac Butler and Margaret Butler
John Eph Butler and Floy Norton Butler

Sunday, October 7, 2012

This blog is now in print.........

I have self published my blog. I wanted a permanent record of all my research and all the posts contributed by people who were interested in the Butler Family History.Go to Blurb.com and search for Butler Family

Monday, August 27, 2012

Cousins......

Here in the South, we see our cousins as close kin. Maybe it's from years past when people married into other families that lived close by. Many times in my research I found brothers from one family marrying sisters from a neighboring family. Their children were double first cousins and had close connections on both sides. The cousins would have the same grandparents!
Even 2nd and 3rd cousins were kept up with and everyone knew who they were related to and how.
People move so much now that cousins are not involved with each other like they were before.
Call your cousin.write them a letter. Friend them on face book. You will be glad you did.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

The Birthday of our Nation........

As we celebrate the birthday of our country I wonder what the future holds. All great nations seem to follow a pattern of ascent and then decline. When Zachariah Butler joined the Va. Continental Line at the age of 44 in Sept. of 1780, did he have any idea what lay ahead? A planter from Virginia suddenly having to fight against the most powerful nation in existence. What made them think they could win against polished British troops? No doubt the fighting they copied from Native Americans soon hurt the disciplined troops from England who formed a line and began shooting. Guerrilla warfare started in the American Revolution and finally defeated the British.
I'm proud to be an American. Are we perfect? Of course not. Are we on the other side of the mountain and about to go toward our decline like so many other nations before? I don't know, but it looks that way.
Can we do anything to stop it? I hope so.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Zachariah Butler and his son Joseph.......

I would like to thank Dr. Janice Turner and her brother Larry Butler for their kind help they have given me in my search for my roots. Dr. Turner and I first spoke around 1980 by phone and she was a great help to me. She shared what she had found on the Butler family and was eager to tell me about our rich family history. The following is some added information that I found interesting. Thank you Larry and Janice for sharing with all of us.

The following information was submitted to this site by Dr. Janice Butler Turner and me. Janice was recognized around the CSRA (The counties around Richmond County Georgia) for 20 years. I spent many days pouring over records to try to prove or disprove the few facts that are actually in print about our ancestor Zachariah. We all fall victim to father time and I miss her input and companionship greatly. Larry R. Butler-baby brother

Listed in the "Official History of Elbert County Georgia 1790-1935 by John H. McIntosh. Butler Family Cemetery is located in Fortsonia Ga. right outside of Elberton Ga. on what is now the Dye homestead. When Janice and I were there about 20 years ago there were two Revolutionary War Markers standing. Zachariah and Patrick Butler. We have since heard they have been vandalized and are no longer completely visible. (In November 2011 the Elbert Co. Ga. SAR cleaned up this cemetery and the markers and had a dedication ceremony)

Marriage date from Zachariah family Bible as copied by Randy Butler. This bible information is still debatable but we have no legitimate argument to deny the information found in this book. We would, however like to know where this Bible is now located or if it is still in existence. The 1820 Census does not show a Zachariah Butler in Elbert County Georgia. There are no financial dealings of him and his wife after 1814. He paid taxes in 1814 but is not on the 1817 tax list. There is no male of his age in any of the Butler Households in Elbert County Georgia in 1920. It is out opinion that he dies between 1814 and 1820. He would have been 84 years old in 1820. He bought 700 acres of land in 1811 from a Rich who sold the land the next year. We have to accept that he is alive in 1813 since he shows in a book of Taxpayers 1791-1813, but the entries are not dated. But Rich is paying taxes on land he bought from Zachariah and Zachariah is still listed as owner of adjacent land in 1812 and he is therefore assumed to be alive in 1812

Nancy Butler born in 1792 is said to be his daughter in some DAR records. She is actually Patrick’s as evidenced by the date of her birth and the naming of her first son.

Have in our possession a copy of microfilm record from Virginia confirming his birth year as 1736 prior to September or 1735 after September. On Sept 2 1780 he was listed as 44 years old five feet four and 1/2 inches tall, with black hair and blue eyes and fair complexion. Listed in Chesterfield House as belonging to Militia and having signed up for eight months in September 1780. Private in Anderson's Company Nelson's Reg Virginia Troops.(Do not know if reg stands for regiment or regular)

In 1782 "Heads of Families" he is in Mecklenburg Virginia in list of Lewis Parham with 9 white in household. So he has a wife and seven in house. James is married and his first child was born in 1782. There is a James in the same tax list not far from Zachariah with 4 in house. Patrick is also married with a child 1782but does not appear near Zachariah in the tax list so he is possibly still at home. This places Zachariah, his wife, Patrick, Joel, Anna, Patrick’s wife and possibly their child.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE FOLLOWING:

In "General Indexes to Deeds Mecklenburg Virginia page 77 if found the following. November 3 1784 Zachariah Butler and wife Mary Deed to Joshia Butler (this is in error, it later appears as Joseph), land in Book 6 page 418.So Zachariah was married to Mary at least that early. The index was incorrect, the person was Joseph Butler and the land was 100 acres and sold for 5 shillings of the current money of the county. (This is a very small amount for 100 acres)

We conclude that a Joseph was probably a son of Zachariah. A Joseph marries Frances Oliver in June 9 1783 in Mecklenburg County, but records say he was born in Caroline Virginia. This is not our Joseph

In Book B page 194 Wilkes County Georgia Land Grant. Head right for self and two in family. This was in 1785. We firmly believe there was a son Joseph who stayed in Virginia and kept the family land, simply because of the sum of money paid

Sunday, May 27, 2012

A Soldiers' Life.......

So many Butler men and women too have served our country, its about impossible to name them all. Look in your branch and you will find a number of heroes. Here are two. Samuel L. Butler and William Butler. Father of Gary Butler from Tenn. gggrandson of Zachariah Butler and James Butler.

Don't they look dashing in their uniforms. They were part of the "Greatest Generation"
Thank you for everything you did for America. We won't forget.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Thanks To You Mom.....

The family history of the Butler family would not be complete without the many mothers and grandmothers that have gone before us. I'm afraid I have been remiss in writing about the many Butler women who helped shape hearth and home over the generations.
Just becoming a mother has always been the nearest to death that many women would come and many did die in childbirth from complications. Many Butler men have more that one set of children because of the death of their first wife and subsequent remarriage. The onset of widowhood would plunge most of our grandmothers in days past into poverty. The children would be considered orphans even if only one parent died. These children were asked to grow up and take adult responsibilities to help the remaining parent. This was a matter of life and death in many cases. The winter food supply being dependant on the harvest of gardens grown by the remaining parent and children.
The civil war was perhaps the most devistating occurence in American history that tested the will to survive of those left after the shooting had stopped. In all my research I have yet to find a single branch of our Butler family that did not suffer the loss of someone through either injury or disease from that terrible conflict.

Martha Garner Butler

Thank you to all the Butler mothers past and present. We appreciate your courage, sacrifice, and love.

Mary Whitley Butler

Lydia Braswell Butler

Georgia Butler

Monday, May 7, 2012

Butler And Naish Connections

Daniel Butler b1794 son of Nathaniel Butler married Martha Naish in Elbert County, her father was John Naish a Revolutionary War Veteran from Mecklenburg Co. Va. Martha's brother Abraham Naish married Mary Elizabeth Butler b1/19/1795 daughter of James Butler and Sally Christopher Butler.
Daniel was my ggggrandfathers brother. So my branch of Butlers is connected to the patriot family of John Naish.

Mary Elizabeth Butler Naish

Sunday, April 22, 2012

The Butler Women..........

The women who were born with the Butler name or married Butler men were brave, smart, hardworking, and industrious. Women in the 17th and 18th century had to be survivors. Their work never stopped and the dangers they faced every day tested them almost beyond measure. Childbirth was one of the leading causes of death for young women and we are all here because our grandmothers faced death to become mothers. Sorrow from the high mortality of children weighed heavily on their hearts too. As I researched I found that death of a young child was a frequent event in almost every family.
The Butler women along with their husbands made a life in the new America.
One of them was Elizabeth Francis Butler Dye, The following is a short article about her.

Madisonian 1919 ELBERTON LADY NEARS 100 YEARS With Clear Mental Vigor and Remarkable Memory Visits Relatives in Morgan County.

Mrs. Elizabeth Dye, of Elbert County, spent a day and night with Mr. and Mrs. Williford this week. She is a great aunt of Col. Williford, a sister of his grandmother. She was born in Jan. 1822, and will be 98 years old her next birthday. She was born in Elbert County, a daughter of Peter Patrick Butler. Both her grandfather and her great grandfather w ere soldiers in the war of the Revolution and after this war came from Virginia to Elbert and received grants of land. She has personally known many Revolutionary soldiers and those who knew Mrs. Dye has about 60 direct descendants living, four of whom are great great grandchildren. (Something seems to be missing in this sentence, but it is quoted as printed.) Her mind is remarkably clear and she remembers everything whether it happened on yesterday or 90 years ago, in minutest detail. Her knowledge of the family history of the first settlers of Elbert County is wonderful. She has been to Atlanta to visit a grand daughter, coming back by Madison on her way to visit another grand daughter, Mrs. Hugh Boswell, of Penfield, Ga.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Keeping In Touch.......

Mrs. Marta D. Bauman contacted me by e-mail and sent me some information she had on her branch of our Butler tree. She is descended from Patrick Butler b 1760 son of Zachariah b1736. Her ggggrandmother was Elizabeth Francis Butler Dye daughter of Peter Patrick Butler and grand daughter of Patrick Butler, great granddaughter of Zachariah Butler. She was born Jan 6,1822 in Abbeville S.C. and died Nov 14, 1921 at the home of one of her daughters Mrs. Frank Bell In Elbert Co. Ga. She married George Jackson Dye of Elbert Co. Ga. May 15, 1848. After George's death Sept. 25, 1878, she was left to raise 7 children, George Dye, Newton Dye, Jack Dye, Sallie Dye Moon, Mrs. Frank Bell. Two daughters Mrs. J. E. Campbell, and Mrs. J. T. Alexander died before her. She also had 42 grandchildren, 67 great grandchildren, and 7 gggrand children.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Video of Butler SAR Memorial..Enjoy

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Ancestry T V Show..Tells About The Past

Friday night T V just got a little better with the resumption of "Who do you think you are" The show that traces the ancestry of a famous person and tells about a branch of their family. I love this show! Each episode profoundly affects the viewer as well as the person whose story is being told. I found that learning about my family history helped explain more of my own life and why I am who I am. The past lives of our grandparents can impact us today. Think about how your life will affect your children and grandchildren. What is the legacy you want to leave them?

That's me in the front with my arms crossed. My grandfather is standing on the right next to my grandmother. The year was 1957. The tall boy in the back with the crew cut is my cousin Robert. My mother is right behind my grandmother. She looks so young in this picture...A moment in time captured for posterity.
One of the Butler family branches off a very large tree.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Memorial For Zachariah And Patrick Butler

The day was beautiful and the Butler's and related families were awe struck by the moving tribute to our colonial grandfathers.What they did over 250 years ago we can not fully comprehend. How they felt to set foot on their land in Elbert County Georgia for the first time, we can only imagine. The spirit of adventure, self determination and downright courage inspires us. The thought provoking struggles they endured to be free and the masters of their own fate leaves me wondering what has become of us? Have we become so self centered and self indulgent that we have lost their endurance? What can we learn from their willingness to risk all for the chance of liberty? In the forefront we learn of their fight and in the background we see the result of their faith. Soon after securing political freedom they went about exercising their religious freedom. Small churches dot the landscape wherever new towns and farms were born in the new country. Have we become rich in material wealth only to become poor in faith? Can we learn anything from the last few years about depending on that wealth for our security, happiness, and well being? How quickly it faded in the wake of the"great recession". What would happen if we all reflected on the source of a better security? The faith of our colonial grandfathers and grandmothers was in God, and family and friends. We as a country would do well to try that for awhile.