James Butler was born 5 June 1758 in Hanover County, Virginia. His parents were Zachariah Butler and Sarah Bowe. Both James and his father were soldiers in the Virginia Continental Line during the American Revolution.
By 1785 Zachariah was on the tax digest for Wilkes County, Georgia. About this time James came also to Wilkes County, Georgia and about this time married Sarah Christopher. This part of Wilkes County is now Elbert County.
About 1836 James Butler moved to Shelby County, Alabama. He was drawing a pension for his Revolutionary War service and when he had his pension transferred to Shelby County he gave as his reason for moving here that he had ten children at that time living in Shelby County.
His last pension check was paid in September 1841 and he died before the next year's payment was due. He is buried in the Jones-Bailey Cemetery in Shelby County, Alabama.
James Butler had an estimated 21 children. Late in life he married Disa - His known children by Sarah were: Zachariah, married Nancy Bullard in Elbert County, Georgia and moved to Shelby County, Alabama before 1820. Christopher, married Mahala Cole in Elbert County, Georgia and came to Shelby County before 1820, moved to Coosa County, Alabama where he died. Sarah, married Willis Ozley (see Ozley Family) in Elbert County, Georgia and came to Shelby County before 1820. Martha, married Asa Jones in Elbert County, Georgia and came to Shelby County before 1820. Mary, married Abraham Naish in Elbert County, Georgia and came to Shelby before 1820 (See Naish Family). Nancy, married George B. Naish in Elbert County, Georgia and came to Shelby County before 1820; she is buried in Coosa County, Alabama. James, married Elizabeth Frances Hansard in Elbert County, Georgia and moved to Shelby County about 1836 with his father.
Children of James Butler by his second wife, Disa: Piety, married in Shelby County, Alabama to George Richard Crowson Harless; they are buried in the Harless Cemetery. Richmond, married Mary Leonard in Shelby County, Alabama; they are believed to be buried in Chilton County, Alabama. See photo of grave stone with article of the Butler Family.
- Submitted by: Madine Butler Evans, 640 Smokey Road, Alabaster, AL 35007.