MSS 102 Butler Family Papers 1778-1975; predominant 1830-1900 2134 Items These family papers center around the family of Edward George Washington Butler (1800- 1888), the son of Col. Edward Butler, one of the “Five Fighting Butlers” of Revolutionary War fame. Edward G. W. Butler was married to Frances Parke Lewis of Woodlawn Plantation, Virginia. She was the daughter of Eleanor Parke Custis and Lawrence Lewis of Woodlawn Plantation. E. G. W. Butler was made the ward of General Andrew Jackson after the death of his father. After graduation from the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, Butler served in the U. S. Army as 2nd Lieutenant, 4th Artillery (1821), as Second on Topographical Duty (1820-1923), as Aide de Camp to Bvt. Major General Edmund Pendleton Gaines, and as Acting Asst. Adjutant General, Eastern and Western Departments, 1823-1831. Butler resigned from the Army on May 28, 1831. During the years 1846-1847, Butler served as Maj. General in the Louisiana State Militia. In 1847 he was reappointed to the U. S. Army, with the rank of Colonel, Third Dragoons. He served in the Mexican War, in command of the District of the Upper Rio Grande, from September, 1847 - June 1848. After his marriage, Butler lived in Louisiana, where he owned and worked several plantations in the Iberville Parish area. His primary residence was Dunboyne Plantation, Iberville Parish, La. He died in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1888. The Butler Family Papers consist of correspondence (1778-1972) between family members, including letters from John Parke Custis to George Washington, and from Andrew Jackson to various family members. Other letters include series of correspondence from Robert and Caroline [Butler] Bell of Louisiana, Richard Henry Lee, Eliza Butler Donelson, Winfield Scott, Edmund Pendleton Gaines, Andrew Jackson Donelson, Morgan Lewis, and many other correspondents. The Butler Family Papers also include papers of Andrew Hynes during his tenure as Adjutant General of Tennessee, and those of the Tennessee Militia for the years 1812-1815. Some papers of Edmund Pendleton Gaines (1816-1832) are in the collection. Edward G. W. Butler served with Gaines during the 1825 negotiations with the Creek Indians, and many of his notes and observations of these talks are to be found in the Butler Family Papers. The collection contains other Family Military Papers (1816-1861), Family Records (1803-1844), Property Documents from Iberville Parish, La. (1805-1861), Financial Records (1779-1896), and photographs (1865-1941). Bound volumes include a Housekeeping Book kept by Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis (1831-1835), a record book of the Third Dragoons (1847-1848). This book contains some miscellaneous entries made prior to 1847 and several plantation record books, account books, and journals. Printed military Orders, Acts and Registers (1815-1870) concerned with Indian treaties, and western frontier defenses complete the collection. In addition, the collection includes typed and handwritten transcripts, as well as photocopies, of Butler Family correspondence (dates of originals, 1776-1880). A small number of these copies are of original letters found elsewhere in the collection. For the majority, however, the transcriber, date of transcription, or date of photocopy, are all unknown. The owners of the Williams Research Center, MSS 102, page 2 original letters are also unknown. It is likely that Edward Gay Butler transcribed the letters, or had the letters transcribed. Cite as: Butler Family Papers, MSS 102, Williams Research Center, The Historic New Orleans Collection. Arrangement: This collection is arranged into sixteen series. See Table of Contents. Within each series, the arrangement is generally chronological. Language: English Accession numbers: 59-77-L; 71-5-L; 76-48-L, 76-56-L; 77-222-L; 78-31-L; 78-42-L; 87-57-L; 96-88-L; 2016.0508 How to Order: Please provide the reference staff with the manuscript call number and folder number. TABLE OF CONTENTS Folders 1-987 Correspondence(1778-1972). Folders 988-1032 Papers of Andrew Hynes, Adjutant General of Tennessee, and the Tenn. Militia. (1812-1815). Folders 1033-1112 Papers of Edmund Pendleton Gaines, to whom Edward George Washington Butler was Aide de Camp. (1816-1832). Folders 1113-1141 Family Military Papers. (1816-1861). Folders 1142-1166 Family Records. (1803-1944). Folders 1167-1247 Louisiana Property Documents, Iberville Parish. (1805-1861). Folders 1248-1428 Financial Records. (1779-1896). Folders 1429-1492 Compositions of Anthony Wayne Butler, while at Yale College. (1817-1823). Folders 1493-1591 Family Genealogy and Miscellaneous Notes. Folders 1592-1624 Photographs and prints. (1865-1941). Folders 1625-1631 Three Dimensional Objects. Folders 1632-1648 Bound Manuscripts. (1817-1901). Folders 1649-1704 Printed Military Orders, Acts, Registers. (1815-1860). Folders 1705-1814 Other Printed Material. (1785-1975). Folders 1815-1906 Typed and handwritten transcripts, photocopies and photostatic copies of original letters. (dates of originals, 1776-1880) Folders 1907-1969 Later additions FOLDER LIST Williams Research Center, MSS 102, page 3 Folder 1 1778 July 15 J[ohn P[arke] Custis, New Kent, to “Hon[ore]d Sir” [George Washington?], concerning a deed, plans to sell land and purchase the Alexander land in Fairfax; his King Williams, N. Dent, , Eastern shore, Hanover and Williamsburg lands; high price of Negroes and horses; low value of money; removal of seat of government with arrival of peace and subsequent reduction of value of Williams burg property. Congratulates addressee on victory over enemy on plains of Monmouth and on the appearance of French fleet on coast. ALS. 6pp. 1 item Folder 2 1780 July 26 J[ohn] P[arke] Custis, Mt. Vernon, to “Hon[ore]d Sir” [George Washington?]. Gives details about the Assembly from which he has just returned. Discusses debates over Congress’ Plan of Finance and sides taken by Patrick Henry, Carter Braxton, and Richard Henry Lee; resolutions regarding the Continental debt involving taxes on various commodities; seizures of provisions for camps; marching of militia to S. Carolina; names officers appointed by the Assembly; terms of recruiting act; other defense measures involving taxed; and an act for punishment of offenses inferior to treason, in order to curb the actions of Tories. Watermark: C. Taylor. ALS. 8pp. 1 item Folder 3 1816 Feb. 3 W[illia]m O. Butler, Garrison, New Orleans, to Mrs. Isabella Vinson, Pittsburgh. He left Eliza at Lexington in August; he saw Mrs. Bell on his way to New Orleans and is sorry he can give no later account of her children. ALS. 2pp. 1 item Folder 4 1817 May 7 Andrew Jackson, Hermitage near Nashville, to Mrs. Isabella Vinson, Pittsburgh, State of Pennsylvania, concerning financial aid in her unfortunate circumstances, arrangements with Robert Bell. He can not, as guardian to her children, undertake superintendance of property beyond the state of [Tennessee], but will send money for property redemption. Also mentions patent granted to Nathaniel Smith for property in Westmoreland County, Pa., transferred to Edward butler on Dc. 30, 1786. Watermark: PW. ALS. 2pp. 1 item Folder 5 1820 July 17 Walter [Livingston?], Livingston, to Mr. Anthony Q. Butler, Yale College, New Haven, Connecticut. Mentions plans for trip to Niagara Falls, then to France; feelings for Amelia, arrival of Joseph Bonaparte, King of Spain and Mr. Charles the ventriloquist; introduction of new breed of French dogs. Watermark: GOODWINS. ALS. 3pp. 1 item Williams Research Center, MSS 102, page 4 Folder 6 1820 Aug. 5 H.H. Livingston, Livingston, to [Anthony W. Butler?], [n.p.], thanking him for behavior towards him in regard to Mr. McCauly, “ a liar and a villain.” This matter concerns a rumored letter from Mrs. Otis to Livingston. ALS. 2pp. 1 item Folder 7 1820 Sept. 19 Allen Livingston, Clermont, N.Y., to Anthony W. Butler, New haven, Connecticut. Mentions departure of his brother [for France] on English ship; refers to rascal McCauly and brother [Walter’s] wish for justification; large parties. ALS. 2pp. Watermark: GOODWINS. 1 item Folder 8 1820 Sept. 19 Amelia [Peck?], [n.p.], to “Mr. Butler” [Anthony Wayne Butler]. Refers to advice given to Mr. Holmes regarding Miss Susan Vanden Heuvel; discusses her own adversities, disinterested friendship with Mr. Holmes and her love for Walter [Livingston]. ALS. 3 pp. 1 item Folder 9 1820 Sept. 25 Harriette, New Haven, to Mr. Anthony W. Butler, Norwalk, Conn. Refers to Butler’s sympathies for Amelia; bringing Walter [Livingston to a sense of the cruelty he had inflicted by breaking his engagement with Amelia. Requests that Butler write to Amelia. ALS. 2pp. Watermark: GOODWIN. 1 item Folder 10 1820 Sept. 30 J[ames Mc[Elhenney], Princeton, to Mr. Anthony W. Butler, New Haven, Connecticut. Describes journey to Princeton, displeasure at leaving New Haven. ALS. 3pp. 1 item Folder 11 1820 Oct. 4 J[ames] McElhenney, Baltimore, to Mr. Anthony W. Butler, New Haven, Connecticut. Describes journey on horseback, Abraham’s mishap with horse, political ardor of voters, intoxication of lower classes. ALS. 3pp. 1 item Folder 12 1820 Oct. 12 J[ames] M[c]E[lhenney], Columbia, to Mr. Anthony W. Butler, New Haven, Connecticut. Discusses financial matters, especially protest against McElhenney’s account by Mr. Jones. Watermark: Dove with branch; AMIES. ALS. 2pp. 1 item Folder 13 1820 Oct 21 Parker & Brailsford, Charleston, to Mrs. Susannah McIlhenney, Columbia, S. Car[olin]a, concerning financial matters. Her sons draft on Mr. De Lusseline for $400 has been remitted; her cotton has been sold. ALS. 1p. 1 item Williams Research Center, MSS 102, page 5 Folder 14 1820 Oct. 22 Mason Brown, Frankfurt, Ky., to A[nthony] W. Butler, Esqr., Yale College, New Haven, Conn. Mentions social obligations, bankruptcy in Frankfort. The slaver is the “leach who is now sucking the heart’s blood of the community”. Also discusses destruction of credit, classmates from New Haven, instructions for making soda powders to be received from Benjamin Silliman.