William Butler (1759–1821)

For similarly named people, see William Butler (disambiguation).
William Butler
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Carolina's 2nd district
In office
March 4, 1803  March 3, 1813
Preceded by John Rutledge, Jr.
Succeeded by William Lowndes
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Carolina's 5th district
In office
March 4, 1801  March 3, 1803
Preceded by Robert Goodloe Harper
Succeeded by Richard Winn
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from Edgefield County
In office
January 3, 1791 December 19, 1795
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from St. Mark's Parish
In office
January 1, 1787 January 20, 1790
Personal details
Born December 17, 1759
Prince William County, Virginia
Died November 15, 1821 (aged 61)
near Mount Willing, Saluda County, South Carolina
Political party Democratic-Republican
Profession planter, soldier
Military service
Allegiance United States United States
Service/branch South Carolina Militia
Years of service 1775–1814
Rank Major General
Commands South Carolina Militia
Battles/wars American Revolutionary War
Second Cherokee War
War of 1812

William Butler (December 17, 1759 November 15, 1821) was a United States Representative from South Carolina.

Born in Prince William County, Virginia, he moved to South Carolina as a young man. He served in the Snow Campaign under Colonel Richard Richardson in 1775 and in Gen. Andrew Williamson's expedition against the Cherokee Indians in 1776. In 1779 he was a lieutenant in Pulaski's Legion, under Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, and served under Gen. Andrew Pickens at the siege of Augusta in 1780. He served as captain under General William Henderson in 1781, and was a captain of Mounted Rangers under Pickens in 1782.

Butler was a member of the State convention which adopted the United States Constitution, and was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1787 to 1795. He was sheriff of the Ninety-Six District in 1791, and was elected major general of the upper division of State militia in 1796.

Butler was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the 7th United States Congress and served in the five succeeding Congresses, from March 4, 1801 to March 3, 1813. He then chose not run for reelection.

Butler was a major general commanding the troops raised for the defense of South Carolina in the War of 1812, and then retired to his plantation, plantation on the Saluda River, near Mount Willing, South Carolina.

He died at his plantation in 1821 at the age of 61, and was buried in the Butler Family Cemetery at Butler Methodist Church, near Saluda.

William Butler was the father of William Butler (1790–1850), Andrew Pickens Butler, and Pierce Mason Butler, and the grandfather of Matthew Calbraith Butler. All except Pierce Butler (who served as governor of South Carolina) were members of the U.S. Congress from South Carolina. Butler was a first cousin to Sophia Butler (Smith) Bonham, the mother of Texas hero James Butler Bonham and U.S. Congressman Milledge Luke Bonham.

References

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Robert Goodloe Harper
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Carolina's 5th congressional district

March 4, 1801 – March 4, 1803
Succeeded by
Richard Winn
Preceded by
John Rutledge, Jr.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Carolina's 2nd congressional district

March 4, 1803 – March 4, 1813
Succeeded by
William Lowndes
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