1. HENRY R.2 BUTLER, SR. (WILLIAM1) was born Abt, 1770, and died August 1835 in Anderson Co. TN. He married KEZIAH OGLESBY.
The record of Henry R butler, Sr., son of William Butler, Sr. is incomplete and offers many difficulties in piecing together. He apparently came to Anderson County from Virginia with his father. His ownership of land is unclear, and the names of all of his children are not known. His will dated 1835 is on record at Clinton, but his children and heirs are not named in the will. He names his wife, Keziah Oglesby, and his son, William G., as executors in the will. Anderson County 1830 census shows Henry R. to have been born 1770-1780. He died in Anderson County, TN in August of 1835. Keziah was born 1775 in Virginia and died in Anderson County, March 21, 1854.
In a round-about way, deed records show that Henry R.'s family lived on the south side of Poplar Creek. In Deed Book G., page 155, dated 1829, William Butler, Sr., "to my grandson William G. Butler for my natural love and affection -- 100 acres on south side of Poplar Creek adjoining William Butler and Ancil Manley," and in G, page 172, dated 1830, William G. Butler and Jane to William H. Durrett "the land on Poplar Creek received from my grandfather, William Butler, Sr., except the farm is to be reserved for the benefit of my father and mother, Henry and Keziah Butler during their natural life."
Henry R. and his brother, William M., had heired two slaves by their father's will (Joseph and Margaret), but apparently the father outlived the son, Henry. R. Other deeds reflect more slave conveyances, and family relationships. In Deed Book G, page 161, dated 1830, Henry Butler "to my son-in-law, Henry Durrett of Anderson County, a Negro girl named Rachel." Henry Durrett had married his daughter, Sarah Ann. The Durretts were prominent in Roane and Anderson counties and had also intermarried with the OLIVER and WRIGHT families. Henry Durrett was evidently the grandson of Rev. War soldier, William Durrett (1745-1813). Henry Durrett was deceased by 1834 because in Anderson County Will Book 1830-1842, Richard Oliver is shown as Administrator for Henry Durrett, deceased 1834, and Oliver was having to account to the Court for the work of 24 slaves in the estate.
Henry R. had a daughter (name unknown) who married Vincent Burnett. In Deed Book H., page 29, dated 1828, Henry Butler for his "love and affection for my son-in-law, Vincent Burnett, my Negro boy named Ben." In Deed I, page 166, dated 1834, Henry Butler "to my son, William G. Butler, a slave named Harrison." In deed I, page 178, dated 1831, Henry Butler "to my son-in-law, Douglas Oliver, Jr., a Negro girl named Ava." In 1835, Deed I, page 190, William Butler, Sr. "to my daughter-in-law, Keziah, a Negro girl named Fanny," and this unusual wording seems to place the time of death for henry R., deed I, page 179 dated 1835, William Butler, Sr., "to Douglas Oliver, Jr. a certain Negro boy about 12 years of age as soon as the death of my son Henry takes place." One other son is known, Henry R. Butler, Jr. married Nancy McKamey.
Although the Henry R. Butler, Sr. family needs considerable more research in order to present a clear and complete story, the above data show that he lived on Main Poplar Creek, was a slave holder, and that he was a man of considerable stature in the community. Through the marriage of his children, he was associated with some of the most influential families in the area including: the Major Moses Winter family, the Durretts, the Olivers and the McKameys. The McKameys were numerous and active in early Anderson County history, but played a comparatively minor roll within the 5000-acre tract, although some lived adjoining it. No further record has been found on the Vincent Burnett family.
There was a Henry Butler in Capt. Lunsford Olivers Company in the War of 1812, but it is possible he was the son of Thomas Butler.
Known Children of Henry Butler and Keziah Oglesby are:
i. WILLIAM G.3 BUTLER, b. 1802, VA; d. Abt 1853, Roane Co. TN; m. JANE WINTERS.* In 1850 Roane Census with 5 children.
ii. SARAH ANN BUTLER; m. HENRY DURRETT
iii. MARY BUTLER, b. 1804; m. DOUGLAS OLIVER, JR.
iv. HENRY R. BUTLER, JR.; m. NANCY MCKAMEY
v. DAUGHTER BUTLER, m. VINCENT BURNETT.
*(Jane Winters was the daughter of Major Moses Winters.)
I received this message from Ed O'Brien, edlobrien@earthlink.net
I am a great great Grandson of REBECCA Butler who was born in Anderson County on 2/15/1805. She is not listed as any of the known grandchildren of William Boteler/Butler, but I believe her to be the daughter of Henry Butler and Keziah Oglesby.
Not all of their children are known or identified on the Roane County web site. She married Absalom Peak in 1823 and they moved to Scott County, IL in 1829 where she died in 1891. In the 1880 census she reported that both her parents had been born in VA. I know that Jacob and Thomas Butler were born in MD and that Henry was born about 1770. William must have been born in VA but he didn't get married until well after Rebecca's birth.
Several years ago, a cousin of mine in a conversation with Snyder Roberts concluded that she must be the daughter of Henry and Keziah because that was the only logical choice left. Jacob Peak, father of Absalom, lived on East Poplar Creek. Other known connections between the Butler and Peak families include William Butler (son of Thomas) married Rhoda Peak in 1824. Rhoda was the sister of Absalom Peak who married Rebecca Butler. Also Jacob Rector, son of Lewis Rector and Sarah Butler (sister of Thomas, Henry, Jacob and William Butler) married Mary Jemima Peak, another sister of Absalom.
Can anyone confirm that Rebecca was the daughter of Henry and Keziah, or
alternatively, that she was not. Also, can anyone confirm that Henry was
born in VA.
Ed O'Brien edlobrien@earthlink.net