Person:Robert Butler (20)

Inscription:
Grand Master F.& A.M.
(Free and Accepted Masons)
1832
Adjutant General
Southern Division U.S. Army
1815
First Surveyor General of
Florida 1824 to 1848
Born December 29, 1786
Died January 13, 1860
Erected by Grand Lodge F.& A.M.
of Florida

In August, 1808, Robert Butler married the niece of General Andrew Jackson, Rachel Hays, at Jackson's Tennessee home,The Hermitage. He joined the U.S. Army in 1812 and resigned in 1821. He was appointed under the second article of the treaty with Spain for the purchase of Florida, a Commissioner to receive West Florida from the Spaniards.

In 1824, Butler was appointed Surveyor General of Florida, and moved his family to Tallahassee in 1825. He had a home on Lake Jackson on 900 acres.

Children of Robert Butler and Rachel Hays are:

Thomas P. Butler, b. July 29, 1809, Tallahassee, FL, d. January 30, 1835, Charleston, SC.

Sarah Jane Butler, b. May 24, 1811, d. October 1878, FL.

Robert Hays Butler, b. September 23, 1813, d. October 12, 1873.

Jackson Orleans Butler, b. December 08, 1815, d. October 20, 1826.

Ellen Mary Butler, b. April 20, 1820, d. date unknown.

Eliza Narcissa Butler, b. July 02, 1822, d. August 04, 1850.

Rachel Jackson Butler, b. April 04, 1824, Hermitage, Davidson, TN,, d. March 31, 1918, Tallahassee, FL.

William Edward Butler, b. September 24, 1826, d. June 18, 1836.

Andrew Jackson Butler, b. October 27, 1828, d. November 17, 1831.

Mary Lucinda Butler, b. January 10, 1830, d. September 02, 1831.

Portrait of Robert Butler - Tallahassee, Florida (Image Number RC00884)

The writer asked her niece, Diane Weathers, to trace the deeds in Wilson County of Robert Butler. Using the landmarks and local names in the deeds, she found the place, the original 640 acres of Robert Butler. Weathers came by with a map and off we went on a road trip. We traveled west on Central Pike (not here in 1820), turned on Chandler Road (not here in 1820), and went to the crest of a hill (here in 1820).

From 1825 to 1860, the land was part of a large plantation owned by Col. Robert Butler. He was Florida’s first Surveyor General under Andrew Jackson’s governorship. The remains of this period can be seen along the nature trail.

Knetsch, Joe. History Corner: Henry Washington vs. Robert Butler - A Case of Revenge?

Robert Butler was an American military and Acting governor of East Florida between 10 Jul 1821 - 11 Jul 1821, after Florida was assigned to United States.

Robert Butler was born in 1786. [1] He in his youth, joined to the American Army, place where he stressed, obtaining the Colonel and Commander grades.

Robert Butler, as representative of General Andrew Jackson, had received the surrender of East Florida at St. Augustine, Florida city from the Spanish governor José María Coppinger.[2] So, he was named acting Governor of East Florida in 10 July 1821, but he only ruled two days, until the arrived of John R. Bell to Government of East Florida.

Robert Butler died in 1860. [1]

References

1. U.S. States F-K.
2. The Southern States of America. Chapter II - Florida, 1819 - 1861

Categories: Royal Governors of La Florida

Robert Butler House, 3502 Old Bainbridge Road, Tallahassee, Leon County, Forida

[footnote] Butler (1790-1882) and his brother Robert had married sisters Martha T. (1790-1857) and Rachel Hays, Jackson's nieces.

Both Dr. William Edward Butler and Col. Robert Butler's mother was Sarah Jane Semple surname also spelled Semples / Samples.
William Edward Butler and his brother Col. Robert Butler had married sisters Martha T. Hays and Rachel Hays, the nieces of Andrew Jackson. Martha and Rachel Hays' mother was Jane Donelson, sister of Rachel Donelson, who married Andrew Jackson.

Robert Butler

Attended USMA. Aide to Andrew Jackson at Battle of New Orleans. When Jackson was appointed Gov. of Florida territory, Butler was his assistant.