John Butler born ca 1651 and Priscilla Norton of Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard

John Butler was born about 1651 in Dorchester, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts. He was baptized on 6 July 1651 at Dorchester, the son of John Butler and Mary Lynde. His parents moved to Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard when John was a baby. John is my 8^th great-grandfather on my grandmother Milly (Booth) Rollins side. I haven’t done much research on this couple as of yet.

John Butler was called Gentleman and Captain in records. He was a leading citizen in the town and served as coroner for the county. In 1691 he was sergeant of the Militia and in 1692 was Constable. In a letter (I don’t find a date on the transcription) written to Governor of Mass Bay by Simon Athern about the boundaries of Martha’s Vineyard and towns within, he also discusses Militia Officers and suggests the best fit is Mr. John Butler as Captain of the Edgartown Militia. Clearly John was a leader in the community.

John married, in Edgartown about 1671, Priscilla Norton, who was born about 1655, the daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth Norton of Edgartown. They lived on Great Neck.

John and Priscilla had 12 children: Henry, John, Thomas, Nicholas, Joyce, Samuel, Onesimus, Simeon, Zephaniah, Malachi, Priscilla, and Gamaliel. I descend from Priscilla who married Thomas Snow.

John Butler died between 1733 and 1738. His will was dated 10 November 1733, proved 3 October 1738, so he was at least 80 years of age at the time of his death. I have not yet seen his will. If anyone has a transcription they are willing to share, please let me know.

Sources Not Listed Above:

Charles Banks, History of Martha Vineyard Vol. II, III, 1911

William Richard Cutler, Genealogical and Personal Memoirs: Relating to the Families of Boston and Eastern Massachusetts, 1908