Aka James Powell Butler (is that right? because I can only find sources with Powell) was born about 1801 in Virginia. He married Derecy McCormick on December 15, 1837 in Union, Monroe County, Virginia (now West Virginia) and this marriage was witnessed by Jeremiah McCormack. His relationship is not given on the source document; however I have found a dna match that adds credibility that his was likely her brother).
Powel Butler is on the 1836 Monroe County, Virginia taxes and that is the earliest record I could find. He appears on the 1840 US Census in Monroe County but I don’t know where he was previous. By 1850 US Census, Powell is with his wife Dericy.
Powell died on May 10, 1882 and is buried in Butler Cemetery at Pettrey, Summer County, West Virginia.
Source Mercer County History – Powell was a pioneer who cleared an cultivated his land of some hundreds of acres. He built a long house near a creek and reared a family of thirteen. This house stood until the Federal Government moved its logs to the Pipestems Recreaton Area and used them in building the riding stables there.
History of Mercer County 1984
page 194
Submitted by
Clarice Caldwell Bibbee
Thomas Butler and his wife, Jane had 4 sons. Thomas died 16 Jan 1646 and Jane, his widow, soon married Edward Thompson. They moved to Westmoreland County, Virginia.
Tradition says there was a James Butler born 1757, captured by the Indians and taken to Gallie County, Ohio. When released he was granted land on Muddy Creek in Greenbrier County in 1787, He married 3 times 1st Eleanor Fleming 2nd Mary Powell 3rd Nancy_______
Now we come to the real history. In 1973 I went to Lewisburg to the Court House, In Book 1A page 16 I found listed James Butler’s license to wed Hannah O’ Hare on 7 May 1799. Allen Pendergraft of Sedonia, Arizona says this James was the father of (James) Powell Butler. (James) Powell Butler lists his own marriage to Derecy McCormick. He left a will in Summers County Will Book 1 page 237
His children were
1. Joel Alexander 1839 married Sarah Emeline Clark
2. Rebecca 1840 married James Hight
3. James 1841 married Margaret Ladd
4. Malinda 1848 married James Clark
5. Pascal 1849 married Betty Dunn
6. Charles 1852 married Mary Gautier
7. Zachariah 1853 married Parlina Clark
8. Virginia 1856 married Allen Cook
9. Sarah 1857 married James Anderson
He left a will in Will Book I p 237 in Summers County, Hinton, WV.
Summers County Will Book
By Pauline Haga
Powell Butler
Summers County
Written August 31, 1880, recorded May 16, 1882
In the name of God, Amen, I, Powell Butler, of the County of Summers, being advanced in age but of sound mind and disposing memory, do make this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made. Article 1st I will and bequeath to my beloved wife, Dency Butler, all of my personal estate consisting of horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, household and kitchen furniture during her natural lifetime and at her death to be sold and equally divided between my children. Article 2 I will and bequeath to my wife, Dency Butler and my two sons, Charles W and Zachariah Butler, the tract of land on which I now live containing two hundred and three acres to be used jointly and equally by them during the lifetime of my wife, Dency Butler, and at her death to be equally divided between my two sons. I direct and give my sons, Charles W and Zachariah Butler, to pay to my children the following amounts to wit: Pascal Butler 170 Pounds British Sterling, Joel Butler, James Butler, Rebecca Height, Martha Williams, Malinda Clark, Virginia Cook, Sarah Anderson and Mary Anderson, all one dollar. Article 4 I appoint my son, Joe Butler, as my executor. Witnesses: A L Harvey, A F Clark and William H Martin.