John Butler

     John Butler was born on 22 July 1677 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.¹ He was the son of James Butler and Mary (—?—) (Butler-Hinds).^1,2 The name of his wife was Elizabeth Wilson.^1,3 He died in 1759 in Pelham, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire.⁴ He was buried at the common burying place a little south of where his home stood.⁴
     
     John Butler was first taxed in Woburn on 8 August 1698, and for the last time in 1721.⁵ On 8 March 1721, Jonathan Tyng conveyed by deed to John Butler of Woburn, 450 acres of land lying in Dunstable adjoining the Dracut line, and soon after, another 150 acres adjoining the first purchase. This was wild land in an area claimed by both Massachusetts and New Hampshire that became situated in the town of Nottingham when it was incorporated in 1733. Nottingham included the present town of Hudson, New Hampshire, as well as parts of Tyngsborough, Pelham, and Litchfield. The Massachusetts-New Hampshire boundary dispute was settled in 1741 in favor of New Hampshire, and in 1746, Nottingham was divided. Since there was a town called Nottingham in the eastern part of New Hampshire before the town was divided, the general court chartered the new town of Nottingham West, having the same boundary lines as the present town of Hudson. At the same time, they chartered the town of Pelham that included all or part of the Butler land.⁵ In late 1721, John Butler and David Hamblett cleared land and built a cabin about two miles west of the present center of Pelham. They returned home to Woburn for the winter, but came back the following spring to clear land and sow grain. After spending the winter together, Butler and Hamblett became dissatisfied, each believing he did more than his share of the household chores. They finally found a solution by building a stone wall through the middle of their rude house with the result that each had to do his own work and gather his own firewood. In the spring of 1723, both men brought their families to the new settlement.⁶ He was chosen a town clerk and selectman at the first town meeting of Nottingham, and is styled Deacon in the town records of both Hudson, formerly Nottingham West, and Pelham.⁴