1.
Simon BUTLER
HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY, PA, by J.H. Battle, 1887, Warner & Co., Publisher:
p. 316:
"Welsh Baptists (after the Friends) formed the only considerable element of dissenters in the early population of the county....In the religious chronicles of these communities the names of Simon BUTLER and William Thomas deserve conspicuous mention. The Montgomery Baptist church was organized June 20, 1719, with a membership largely resident in this county. Dissensions early arose regarding theological subjects. BUTLER formulated his views in a published pamphlet to which the name "BUTLER's creed" was applied. He received the practically unanimous support of his neighbors, and in 1754 they withdrew in a body from the Montgomery church and formed themselves into the New Britain church."
pp. 556, 559:
"The organization of the New Britain church was effected under difficulties. The emigration of Welsh Baptists to Pennsylvania began in 1683, and in 1719 they had become sufficiently numerous in Montgomery to organize at that place one of the first churches of this denomination in the province. It subsequently included among its membership much of the Welsh element in New Britain. A dissension arose about the year 1735 regarding certain doctrinal points, Simon BUTLER, of New Britain, being one of the chief disputants; his neighbors adhered generally to his views, which were not acceptable to the Montgomery people. The matter was taken before the association and an amicable settlement attempted, but without success."
p. 584:
New Britain--Hilltown
"The latter were Welsh Baptists, and had become so numerous in the townships of Gwynedd, Montgomery, and Hatfield (Montgomery county), as to sustain a flourishing religious society in the first quarter of the last century. The extension of this settlement into Bucks county was not rapid. It has been said that one Lewis Evan crossed the border as early as 1695, but there is no satisfactory evidence to support this view. It would seem that Simon Mathews and Simon BUTLER were among the first Europeans to make New Britain their permanent homes. They emigrated from Wales in 1712, landed at Philadelphia, settled for a time in Chester County, and removed to Bucks at some time between the year 1715 and 1732. Near the village of Chalfont they built a mill (owned for many years by Philip Grove), and operated it in partnership until 1753. This was one of the two earliest mills in central Bucks county. Simon BUTLER was prominently identified with the early history of New Britain; he was a justice of the peace for many years, a surveyor of some ability, and a man of excellent judgment. Prior to that plentitude of lawyers which forms a distinctive feature of society at the present day, a man who could write a deed, an agreement, or an indenture was almost invaluable in any community, and that Simon BUTLER was such a man is evident from the frequency with which his name appears in old legal documents. He died in 1764, a consistent member of the New Britain Baptist church."
HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY, PA, by William W. H. Davis, 2nd Edition, 1905:
Volume I:
pp. 355-365:
New Britain:
Of early immigrants, Simon BUTLER was probably the foremost man. Immigrated from Wales about 1712, accompanied by his cousin Simon Mathew. Landing at Philadelphia, they settled for a time on the "Welsh tract" in New Castle county, removed to New Britain between 1715 and 1720 and took up land at the confluence of Pine run and the northwest branch of Neshaminy, just east of Chalfont. Built a grist-mill. In a few years BUTLER bought Mathew's interest in the tract and built a new grist-mill. In 1745 he bought 465 1/2 acres of James Hamilton. He was the only justice of the peace in this section for several years. He promoted the erection of the New Britain Baptist Church. His two sons Simon and Benjamin intermarried with the Jameses. Their descendants are numerous in the township. Simon BUTLER died August 1764.
Volume III:
pp. 160-163:
In 1720, Simon Mathews and Jane his wife, Anthony Mathews, Simon BUTLER and Ann his wife, and Daniel Rees and Jane his wife, removed from Pencader Hundred to New Britain township, bringing certificates from Welsh Tract church to Montgomery Baptist Church, the parent of New Britain Baptist Church, founded in 1741. Simon Mathew and Simon BUTLER purchased large tracts of land comprising the greater part of the present borough of Chalfont, where they jointly erected what was known for many years as "Butler's Mill," BUTLER being the miller, and Mathew a millwright. Simon Mathew died about 1 July 1755 and his wife Jane prior to December 28, 1751, the date of Simon's will.
THE BUTLER FAMILY:
[Unpublished manuscript, by Ada Butler, Zoe S. Howe, and Gertrude Southard, July 19, 1930]
"The Butler Family who founded the present town of Chalfant, in New Britain Twp., Bucks County, Pennsylvania - long known in Colonial times as "Butler's Mill" are descended from SIMON BUTLER, who with his brother-in-law, Simon Mathew, came from Llangemyeh in South Wales, with four others, and joined the Welsh Tract Baptist Church in Christiana Hundred, New Castle County (now Delaware) in 1710. They were accompanied by Anthony Mathew, Father of his brother-in-law Simon Mathew and his wife Ann Mathew.
The Welsh Tract Baptist Church was organized by sixteen Welsh Baptist families from Pembrokeshire, Wales, who in June, 1701 sailed from Milford Haven for Pennsylvania in the good ship "James and Mary," and landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sept. 8, 1701. Before leaving Milford Haven, they organized themselves into a church and chose Thomas Griffith, one of their number, as their minister. On their arrival in Pennsylvania, they settled temporarily near the Welsh settlement about Pennypack Baptist Church, near Bustleton, Philadelphia County, where they remained for about a year and a half. During this period twenty converts were added to their membership, some of whom had previously hold membership in Pennypack Church. In 1703 they secured title to a tract of land in New Castle County (since that date the site of the church) and settled thereon, and have since been known as the "Welsh Tract Baptist Church."
The Butler's and Mathew's were active in the affairs of this church until 1721, when Simon Butler I. and Simon Mathew purchased a large tract of land comprising the present site of Chalfant, Bucks Clounty, and accompanied by their wives and Anthony Mathew, and the Eaton family, removed thither, producing letters of dismission from Welsh Tract Baptist Church to the Montgomery Baptist Church. They erected a mill, which gave the name by which the locality was known locally for many years.
It would seem that Simon Butler I. and Simon Mathew were among the first Europeans to make New Britain Twp. Their permanent homes. Simon Butler was prominently identified with its early history, being almost constantly engaged in some public capacity. He was one of the Board of Commissioners 1735-1737. He was a captain in the Provincial Service, his son Benjamin I. being ensign of his company. He was Justice of the Peace from 1738-1764, and Coroner in 1755. He was a surveyor of some ability, and a man of excellent judgment. Prior to that plentitude of lawyers, which forms a distinctive feature of society at the present day, a man who could write a deed, an agreement, or an indenture was almost invaluable in his community, and that Simon Butler I. was such a man is evident from the frequency with which his name appears in old legal documents.
It was only in New Britain and Hilltown that nationality early established itself. In the religious cronicles of these communities the names of Simon Butler I. and William Thomas deserve conspicuous mention. The Montgomery Baptist Church was organized June 20, 1719, with a membership largely resident in this county. Dissentions early arose on theological subjects. Butler formulated his views in a published pamphlet to which the name, "Butler's Creed", was applied, and he received practically the unanimous support of his neighbors, and in 1754 they withdrew in a body from the Montgomery Church, and formed themselves into the New Britain Baptist Church, the same church of which our ancestor, the Rev. William Davis was the second pastor from 1754. Simon Butler died a consistent member of this church in 1764.
Simon Butler I. married Ann Mathew, daughter of Anthony Mathew. They had two children:
1. Simon II.
2. Benjamin I.
Simon Butler II. Married Rebecca James, daughter of Wm. James. They had three children:
1. Abiah m. Elizabeth Thomas - no children
2. Benjamin II. m. Sarah Davis (daughter of Wm. Davis II and Mary Evans, m. granddaughter of Rev. Wm. Davis II and Rachel Evans, his wife? They had 10 children.
3. Margaret m. Nathan Mathew.
Simon Butler II. died in 1769.
Benjam1n Butler I. m. Elizabeth James, daughter of Thomas James. They had one child, Ann Butle,, born 1751, m. Thos. Morris, Jr. March 20, 1765.
Benjamin Butler I. died 1751.
The children of Benjamin Butler II, and Sarah Davis, his wife:
1. Rebecca, b. 1775, d. 1805, m. Capt. Jesse Forker
2. Mary m. John Dunmead
3. Margaret m. John Smith
4. Simon III. m. Charity Lomison
5. Rachel m. Charles Kinney
6. George m. Nancy Kline
7. Benjamin III. m. Ruth Beegle
8. Elizabeth
9. Abia II. m. Jane Bell
10. Nanoy m. Benjamin Kline"
MATHIAS FAMILY--LDS Film #216,688:
Given to Bucks County Historical Society by Miss Mathias, 23 Mar 1929, records from her grandfather:
"About 1712, a number of families emigrated from Wales, among whom were Simon BUTLER and Simon Mathew, who were near relations, perhaps cousins. They landed at Philadelphia and settled for a time in London Tract in Chester County. They afterward removed to New britain Twp, Bucks County, and purchased a tract of land which they held for a while in common between them, at the junction of Pine Run and the North branch of Neshamony, where they erected a grist mill. After some years, they closed their partnership and Simon BUTLER became entire owner and removed his grist mill to the place where it now stands. Now in possession of Saml Funk, but still known as Butler's Mill by some.
This account is being recorded Feb. 18, 1832. Simon BUTLER and others were members of the baptist church at Montgomery. In 1744, they erected a house for worship in Newbritain, called for many years by the name of Society meeting house. A difference of opinion arose between Simon BUTLER, Joseph Eaton (a preacher) and others at that neighborhood and Elder Benjamin Griffith at Montgomery concerning the sonship of Christ. Members at Society (or Newbritain) obtained dismissions from Montgomery for an independent baptist church in 1754. Joseph Eaton was first preacher and succeed by Elder Wm DAVIS, born at Castlereth in Glamorganshire, Wales. He arrived in this country in 1722, went back to Wales again, returned in 1737 and settled at Vincent in Chester County, from thence to New Britain, having joint care of church with Elder Joshua Jones until his death in 1768. Elder Joshua Jones continued ministering after that.
Simon BUTLER was appointed justice of the peace. He had two sons, Simon and Benjamin. Simon married Rebekah JAMES, a sister of old John JAMES (who was father of late Wm, Josiah and others) and she was also a sister of Margaret who married Henry Lewis. Simon BUTLER (son of old Simon) and his wife Rebekah had children Benjamin, Abiah, and Rebekah. Benjamin married Elizabeth a daughter of old Thomas JAMES, by whom he had one daughter named Ann. She married Thomas Morris. They finally removed to Mount Bethel in Northampton County, where he died. His widow Ann is still living, but old and feeble. She has been the mother of 17 children all of whom are living except 2 or 3. Abiah BUTLER married Elizabeth Thomas; he died leaving no issue. She afterward married Morris Morris. Rebekah BUTLER married Nathan Mathew.
A mistake which I have made above with respect to Benjamin BUTLER--the account I have given relates to Benjamin the son of OLD Simon and not his grandson. I should also have added that after his death his widow Elizabeth married Moses Aaron.
Benjamin BUTLER, son of Simon BUTLER and grandson of Old Simon BUTLER married a daughter of Wm DAVIS and a granddaughter of Old Wm DAVIS who was a preacher at New Britain. They had children Rebekah, Elizabeth, and George. Elizabeth married James DAVIS a son of Thomas DAVIS of Montgomery; have two children Silas and Euphemia.
Simon Mathew came from Wales about 1712. His son Edward had several children including Nathan Mathew who married Rebekah a daughter of Simon & Rebekah BUTLER, who was a son of Old Simon BUTLER. Nathan Mathew removed to Virginia."
Bucks County, PA, Quarter Sessions & Common Pleas--LDS Film #172,925:
p. 527:
1717, Simon BUTLER and others elected assessors for Bucks County
p. 545:
2 October 1729
Simon BUTLER and others chosen assessors for ensuing year
p. 656:
October 1730
Simon BUTLER and others chosen assessors for ensuing year
p. 697:
1730, Simon BUTLER one of justices
HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY, PA, by J.H. Battle, 1887, Warner & Co., Publisher:
p. 690:
Comisssioner--1735, Simon BUTLER
Bucks County, PA, Deeds--LDS Film #172,883:
Book 23:
pp. 127-133:
15 Feb 1745/6
Simon BUTLER of New Britain, yeoman, and Ann his wife to Joseph Thomas,
whereas William Penn by patent to Andrew Hamilton, Book A, Vol. 5, p. 333)
conveyed 465 1/2 acres, resurveyed to contain 490 acres and 50 perches,
whereas Andrew Hamilton by will 2 Aug 1741 conveyed to James Hamilton,
whereas James Hamilton by indenture to Simon BUTLER 1 Dec 1745,
now this indenture for 64 pounds 11 shillings and 5 pence, tract adj. David Jones, Griffith Owen, containing 37 acres and 40 perches
Signed: Sin. BUTLER, Ann-M mark-BUTLER
Wit: Thomas Edmond, David William
Simon BUTLER has obtained a release on all of tract containing 490 acres and 50 perches conveyed to Simon BUTLER by James Hamilton, of which 37 acres and 40 perches are a part, on the back of James Hamilton's deed to Simon BUTLER appear Pressley Raymond and Mary his wife, Rebekah Steel, William Shute and Elizabeth his wife, Richard Renshaw and Ann his wife dated 29 Oct 1747,
now this endorsement for 10 shillings, releases to Joseph Thomas
Signed: Sin. BUTLER
Wit: Griffith Owen, J. Jos. Thomas
Bucks County, PA, Deeds, 1789-1793--LDS Film #172,884:
Book 25:
pp. 45-46:
15 Feb 1745/6
Simon BUTLER of New Britain, Bucks County, and Ann his wife, to David William,
whereas William Penn granted patent dated 25 Mar 1718 to Andrew Hamilton of Philadelphia, for 456 1/2 acres, resurveyed for 490 acres and 50 perches, recorded in Patent Book A, Vol. 3, p. 333,
whereas Andrew Hamilton by will dated 2 Aug 1741 devised it to son James Hamilton,
whereas James Hamilton by indenture conveyed to Simon BUTLER, dated 1 Dec 1745,
now this indenture for 98 pounds 9 shillings 6 pence, tract adj. Joseph Thomas, containing 56 acres and 129 perches, being part of above mentioned 490 acres and 50 perches
Signed: S. BUTLER, Anne-A mark-BUTLER
Wit: Thomas Edmund, Joseph Thomas
Bucks County, PA, Deeds--LDS Film #172,877:
Book 11:
pp. 349-352:
2 Feb 1748
Simon BUTLER of New Britain Twp Esquire and Ann his wife to Simon BUTLER the son, of the same place, yeoman,
whereas William Penn by patent dated 25 Mar 1718 confirmed to Andrew Hamilton, tract adj. William JAMES, Griffith Owen, Elixander Foreman, containing 112 acres and 31 perches
Signed: Sin. BUTLER, Anne-A mark-BUTLER
Wit: Simon Morgan, Thomas Mathew
Memorandum: whereas Andrew Hamilton by will dated 2 Aug 1741 to son James Hamilton, whereas James Hamilton by indenture dated 31 Dec 1745 conveyed 465 1/2 acres together with proportionable part of 76 1/2 acres to Simon BUTLER, and release granted to Simon BUTLER by Presly Raymond and Mary his wife, Rebecca Steel, William Shutt and Elizabeth his wife, Richard Renshaw and Ann his wife, James Thompson and Martha his wife, exeucted 29 Oct 1747,
Now this indenture for sum of --
Signed: S. BUTLER, Anne-A mark-BUTLER
Wit: Simon Morgan, Thomas Mathew
Bucks County, PA, Deeds--LDS Film #172,877:
Book 11:
pp. 387-388:
11 January 1752
Simon BUTLER Junr of New Brittain Twp, yeoman, to Simon BUTLER Senr (father) Esquire,
whereas Simon BUTLER the father and Anne his wife by indenture conveyed to their son Benjamin BUTLER a tract of 129 acres and 56 perches,
and Benjamin BUTLER by indenture dated 26 Mar 1748, tract being part of 490 acres which James Hambilton of Philadelphia by indenture dated 31 Dec 1745 granted to Simon BUTLER Senr,
and Benjamin BUTLER by will written 7 Apr 1750 named brother Simon BUTLER executor,
now this indenture for 103 pounds, being part of tract puchased of sd Simon BUTLER Senr by sd Benjamin BUTLER in his lifetime, adj. land of said Benjamin BUTLER deceased
Signed: Simon BUTLER Junr
Wit: David John, Samuel Wells
HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY, PA, by J.H. Battle, 1887, Warner & Co., Publisher:
p. 689:
Coroner--1755, Simon BUTLER
Bucks County, PA, Deeds--LDS Film #172,877:
Book 12:
pp. 42-44:
24 March 1758
Thomas JAMES of New Britain, Bucks Co, yeoman, and James JAMES of same place, son of Thomas JAMES, of one part, to Simon BUTLER of New Britain Esqr. and Edward Matthews of the same place, yeoman, wherease BUTLER and Matthews have grist mill on rivulet known by name Pine Run,
now for rents and convenants herein mentioned, grant methods to use part of race which conducts water of rivulet to the said grist mill
Signed: Thomas JAMES, James JAMES
Wit: Saml Wells, John Morgan, Thos JAMES Jr
Bucks County, PA, Deeds--LDS Film #172,877:
Book 11:
pp. 694-697:
15 Feb 1760
Edward Mathews of New Britain and Elizabeth his wife, to Thomas Mathews, yeoman, of the second part, and Simon BUTLER of New Britain Esq. of the third part,
whereas tract adj. Benjamin BUTLER deceased, containing 4 acres and 104 perches,
where Simon Mathews in equal partnership with Simon BUTLER set up and erected a water grist mill,
now in consideration of equal partnership and five pounds, grant to Simon BUTLER one moeity on half part of said mill, mill house, dwelling house, and other buildings
Signed: Edward Mathew, Elizabeth Mathew, Thomas Mathew
Wit: Charles Maycock, Joseph Gray
Bucks County, PA, Wills--LDS Film #172,900:
Book 3:
pp. 107-109:
30 Jul 1764
Will of Simon BUTLER Esqur of Newbritain, Bucks Co, yeoman,
to my grandson Abiah BUTLER, parcel which I bought of James Steel deceased, adj. Neshaminy Creek, adj. Henry Kelso, Thomas Mathew, containing whatever acres it may,
to my grandson Abiah BUTLER, another parcel containing 50 acres which I bought of my son Simon BUTLER Junr executor of Benjamin BUTLER deceased, provided that Abiah BUTLER pays 40 pounds to Ann BUTLER my granddaughter within one year from my deceased,
to my son Simon BUTLER Junr one half of grist mill and one half of lot of said mill,
remainder divided between three grandchildren, viz. Abiah BUTLER, Benjn BUTLER and Margaret BUTLER,
to grandson Benjamin BUTLER, another tract adj. John and William Thomas, the said Benjamin BUTLER to pay his sister my granddaughter Margaret BUTLER 53 pounds at the expiration of his 22nd year of age,
in case my grandchildren shall die in their minority without issue, then one third part of Ann BUTLER aforesaid, and balance between three grandchildren,
grandson Abiah BUTLER to be executor whom I also appoint as guardian of minor legatiers
Signed: Sin. BUTLER
Wit: John-I-Mathew, Benj Thomas, Benjm Mathew, Wm DAVIS Junr
proved 30 Aug 1764