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Subject: [MAMIDDLE] Caleb Butler's biography by Dr. Samuel A. Green
Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 23:17:09 EST

Subject: CALEB BUTLER - Biography
Source: Groton Historical Series by Dr. Samuel A. Green 1893 Vol III

p. 214
Caleb Butler was a son of Caleb Butler and Rebekah (Frost) Butler and
born at Pelham, NH Sept 13, 1776. He was third son and fifth child of
eleven children. In the year 1794 he attended the academy at Pelham,
kept by Daniel Hardy. He passed the examination at Dartmouth, gradu-
ating in 1800 with the highest honors and delivered the salutatory
oration in Latin. In the succeeding year he taught the Indian Charity
School at Hanover connected with the college. In February, 1802 he
became preceptor of Groton Academy and continued until August 1810
leaving for two years and returning to his former position in 1812
which he held until 1815. At the academy Jubilee in 1854 he was a
conspicuous personage and received special attention from his former
scholars.

On Aug 22, 1804 he was married to Clarissa Varnum of Dracut, MA dau of
Parker Varnum and wife, Dorcas (Brown) Varnum. They had a family of
eight children of whom Mrs. Francis Augustus Brooks of Boston, was the
sole survivor in 1893. His wife was born at Dracut, MA on Jan 27, 1782
and died at Groton on Sept. 5, 1862.

While teaching at Groton Academy he studied law with the Hon. Luther
Lawrence of Groton and admitted to the Middlesex (MA) bar on Mar 18,
1814.

On Mar 7, 1815 he was chosen town clerk of Groton which office he held
three years. On Mar 3, 1823 he was again chosen and continued for ten
years more. On July 1, 1826 he succeeded Major James Lewis as post-
master of Groton and remained until Jan 15, 1839. He was removed twice
for political reason. His removal was received by the public with
general regret. During his two terms he filled the office for more than
eighteen years. In 1825 he was apptd Surveyor on the part of the
Commonwealth to establish the boundary line between Massachusetts and
New Hampshire. On May 4, 1829 he was chosen representative to the
General Court but he declined the office. On July 12, 1826 he was
apptd Chairman of the Commissioners of Highways for Middlesex County.

He died on Oct 7, 1854 at Groton where his name is now perpetuated
by three schools known respectively as the Butler Grammar, the Butler
Intermediary and the Butler Primary. There is also a Caleb Butler
Lodge of Free Masons at Ayer, formerly a part of Groton.

Caleb Butler was the author of a "History of the Town of Groton,
including Pepperell and Shirley." (Boston 1848) and of several Masonic
addresses and historical pamphlets, among other writings.

He was a member of NEHGS and contributed an account of his branch of
the Butler family to the quarterly Register II.355, III. 73, 353),
published under the auspices of that Society.

Vol. II p.31 Charles Butler apptd Justice of the Peace of Groton on
Sept. 21, 1854

Vol. III p. 331 Francis Augustus Brooks Esq. m. at Groton, MA Sept.
14, 1847 Frances Butler b. Oct 12, 1822 dau of Caleb Butler and wife
Clarissa Varnum of Groton. He was the son of Aaron Brooks Jr. and his
wife, Abbe B. (Morgan) Brooks. He was b. at. Petersham in 1824.

Vol. III p. 430 George P. Butler of Groton, MA died June 13, 1835 in
New York aged 26 years, b. 1809 at Groton.

Vo. 1. p.3 Caleb Butler had a daughter Susan Butler who died aged 18
abt 1826 from a malignant disease.

Sterling, MA marriages - Rufus Butler & Susan Joy both of Sterling, MA
were married April 23, 1837 (source Sterling, MA Marriages - internet
site)

Caleb Butler built in 1818 a family tomb at the Old Burying Grounds, Groton,
MA - see p. 227 & 229

Ancestors of Caleb Butler

Benjamin Frost b. 1690 d. 1730 m. Miriam Rust
Their daughter, Rebecca Frost b. at Tewksbury, MA and died at Pelham,
NH, m. 1766 Caleb Butler and had children:
1. Benjamin Butler
2. Miriam Butler
3. Samuel Butler
4. Deborah Butler
5. Caleb Butler
6. Rebecca Butler
7. Theodore Butler
8. Rebecca Butler
9. Joanna Butler
10. Solomon Butler
11. Phineas Butler

Higginson Books has "Butler Genealogy - dedication of the monument to
Deacon John Butler, Pelham, N.H. pub. 1886 36

For a brief history of Pelham, NH see internet site:
http://www.pelhamnh.com/1stcong/info/main.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth

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