Background
John was born to Walter Butler and Deborah Dennison, née Ely, in New London, Connecticut in 1728. In 1742, his father moved the family to Fort Hunter on the frontier in the Mohawk Valley near modern Fonda, New York. The Walter Butler Homestead was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. In 1752, he married Catherine (Catalyntje) Bradt, and the couple raised five children (two others died in infancy). He knew several Indian languages and was employed as an interpreter.
In 1755, he was made Captain in the Indian department and saw service in the French and Indian War under William Johnson. He saw action at Fort Ticonderoga, the Battle of Fort Frontenac, the Battle of Fort Niagara, and Montreal. At the Battle of Fort Niagara he was second in command of the Indians.
After the war he came home, and built his estate up to 26,000 acres (105 km²) at Butlersbury, near Caughnawaga. He was second only to Sir William Johnson as a wealthy frontier land owner. He was a judge in the Tryon County court and was appointed Lt.-Colonel of Guy Johnson's regiment of Tryon County militia. Butler worked under Sir William Johnson in the Indian department. Butler was one of the two members representing Tryon County in the New York assembly.
Read more about this topic: John Butler (pioneer)
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