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BUTLER, JOHN

Butler, John

(April 28, 1728–May 13, 1796)
Loyalist Officer

B

utler was one of
the most effective
Loyalist leaders to
serve Great Britain
throughout the American
Revolution. He held con-
siderable sway over his
Indian allies, directed
them effectively, and also
commanded the dreaded
Butler’s Rangers in many
successful actions.
John Butler was born
in New London, Con-
necticut, on April 28,
1728, the son of an army
officer. His father had
previously commanded
at Fort Hunt and Os-
wego, New York, during
various wars with France,
so around 1742 he relo-
cated his family to the Mohawk Valley. There
young Butler became immersed in the lan-
guage and culture of the neighboring Iroquois
Indians. At length he became fluent in their
tongue and sensitive to the nuances of Native
American affairs, so he was hired by Indian
Department Superintendent Sir William John-
son to serve as an interpreter. The French
and Indian War commenced in 1754, and the
following year Butler accompanied Johnson
as a lieutenant of Indians during the expedi-
tion against Fort Saint Frederic (Crown
Point). There, on September 8, 1755, the com-
bined British-Indian force defeated the

French under Baron

Jean-Armand Dieskau

after a hard-fought ac-

tion. Promoted to cap-

tain, he next saw active

service under Gen. James

Abercromby at Fort Car-

illon (Ticonderoga) and

was also present at the

capture of Fort Fron-

tenac under John Brad-

street. In 1759, Butler

was reunited with John-

son when they besieged

and captured Fort Nia-

gara in western New

York, a crushing defeat

for France. The following

year he commanded a

large detachment of Iro-

quois warriors recruited

to assist Gen. Jeffrey

Amherst’s advance upon Montreal with simi-

lar success.

Following the French and Indian War, But-

ler resumed his work with the Indian Depart-

ment as an interpreter. He also acquired a

large estate near Johnstown, New York, and

served as lieutenant colonel of the local mili-

tia regiment commanded by Guy Johnson,

Sir William’s nephew. Tensions between Great

Britain and its colonies exploded into warfare

during 1775, and rebel activity forced Butler

and Johnson to evacuate the Mohawk Valley

for refuge in Canada. Butler had to abandon

his wife and several children, who were taken

John Butler

National Archives of Canada