David Butler
David Butler was born in Welsh Run, Pennsylvania on July 4,1834 to John and Elizabeth Butler - both born in Marlyland, USA.1 Butler spent his early life as a farmer, but in 1863, he joined the United States Colored Troops, enlisting in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. He served as a private until August 20th, 1865, the date when he was discharged and mustered out.2 On May 1, 1864, the Headquarters at Morris Island, South Carolina, relieved Private Butler from duty.3 Then, on November 14, 1864, the Headquarters at Morris Island ordered him to return for duty.4 At the time he mustered out, he owed $100 for military or clothing equipment.5 There are no records of his childhood, but there are census records from 1860 to about 1900. The "1860 United States Census Record for David Butler" shows a 25-year-old David Butler (an individual named David Butler) living with his parents and his siblings (Amelia - 18 years old; James - 7 years old; and Jacob - 6 years old).6 There is not an 1870 census describing his location or occupation, but there is an 1880 census ,1900 census, and 1910 census. Before 1880, he filed an "invalid pension" on February 12, 1879, and his wife filed a "widow" status on March 20, 1914, in Pennsylvania.7 The "1880 United States Federal Census for David Butler" shows him as 50 years old in Carlisle, Pennsylvania (Locust Alley) in Dwelling Number 277.8 He was currently widowed from his then wife, Charlotte Baker Butler.9 His "U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for David Butler" stated he married Charlotte a time after the war (unknown date).10 However, this record states that his parents were born in Pennsylvania. Thus, this record may or may not depict the same David Butler. A "1900 United States Federal Census for David Butler" shows a 54-year-old farm laborer, named David Butler, living in Carlisle Ward 4, Pennsylvania on West Locus Avenue with new spouse, Sharlot Butler.11 Again, this may or may not describe the same David Butler who served in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. A "1910 United States Federal Census for David Butler" shows a 66-year-old laborer, named David Butler, living in Carlisle Ward 4, Pennyslvania on Locust Avenue with former spouse Charlotte Butler; he was also living with a 35-year-old individual named Amos Anderson.12 Again, this record may or may not refer to the same David Butler discussed.
Butler returned home to Pennsylvania, moved to Carlisle and worked as a laborer. Butler joined the local AME Zion Church, where he became a prominent member. Butler married, and had seven children.13 A section, titled "Deaths", in The Sentinel (Carlisle) stated that Butler (80 years old) died at his home, Locust Avenue, from a hemorrhage.14 Although his date of death is not stated, he may have died in 1914. There is currently no death certificate, but he does have a burial record. His burial record in the Report for Veterans' Grave Registration Record stated that he was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and was buried at Union Colored Cemetery Carlisle in "Section C Grave 46".15 His tombstone is marble, and it features the Grand Army of the Republic flag.16 His memorial page shows that two people left flowers at his gravesite. It is unknown whether these people were related to David Butler or not.
1. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for David Butler, 2012.
2. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for David Butler, 2012.
3. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for David Butler, 2012; U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865 for David Butler.
4. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for David Butler, 2012; U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865 for David Butler.
5. U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865 for David Butler, 2007.
6. 1860 United States Federal Census for David Butler, 667.
7. U.S. Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934 for David Butler, 2000.
8. 1880 United States Federal Census for David Butler, 254C.
9. 1880 United States Federal Census for David Butler, 254C.
10. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for David Butler, 2012.
11. 1900 United States Federal Census for David Butler, 4.
12. 1910 United States Federal Census for David Butler, 6A.
13. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for David Butler, 2012.
14. "Deaths: Butler." The Sentinel, March 17, 1914
15. Einstein, 34.
16. Einstein, 34.
Bibliography:
"Deaths: Butler." The Sentinel, March 17, 1914. https://www.newspapers.com/image/344786791/? terms=david%2Bbutler.
Einstein. Report for Veterans' Grave Registration Record. Cumberland County Historical Society: Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 1934.
1860 United States Federal Census for David Butler. Ancestry.com. Pg. 667. Ancestry: USA, 2009. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/7667/4289006.
1880 United States Federal Census for David Butler. Ancestry.com. Pg. 254C. Ancestry: USA, 2010. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/6742/4244330.
Family Tree Climber. "Photograph of Tombstone of David Butler [Online image]." Find A Grave: USA, 2014. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130701328/david-butler/photo.
1900 United States Federal Census for David Butler. Ancestry.com. Pg. 4. Ancestry: USA, 2004. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/7602/4115075.
1910 United States Federal Census for David Butler. Ancestry.com. Pg. 6A. Ancestry: USA, 2006. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/7884/4450030.
U.S. Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934 for David Butler. Ancestry.com. Record Group: 15. National Archives: Washington, D.C., 2000. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/4654/32959.
U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865 for David Butler. Ancestry.com. National Archives: Washington, D.C., 2007. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/1107/miusa1861m.
U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for David Butler. Ancestry.com. Find A Grave: 2012. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130701328.