I am interested in your William Butler. What was his occupation, who did he marry and where did he bring up his children?
I have a Butler/Soal connection - spelling is different but may be a derivitive?
I am also looking for the antecedents of William Butler born c1811 in Hellingly, East Sussex. He is in my direct line. Died in 1878. Married Martha Stapley, baptised 18 May 1807 in Buxted (and died sometime between 1861 and 1871), daughter of John and Jane Stapley, on 04 January 1836 at Hellingly. William Butler farmed at Springham Farm, Grove Hill, Hellingly. In 1851: 146 acres, employing 8 men, 3 boys and 1 girl.
Children of William and Martha Butler in 1851 (ages may be up to 5 years out):
Frederick Butler, son, 14, farmer’s son, b Hellingly.
Jane A Butler, daughter, 13, b Hellingly.
Maria Butler, daughter, 11, scholar, b Hellingly.
Thomas Butler, son, 9, scholar, b Hellingly.
[Martha Butler, daughter, approx 7, b Hellingly, visitor to Charles Stapley head of family, Grove Bridge Farm, Grove Hill, Hellingly.]
Walter Butler, son, 5, scholar, b Hellingly.
Arthur J Butler, son, 3, scholar, b Hellingly.
Elizabeth S (or T) Butler, daughter, 2, b Hellingly.
Unnamed [later named as Emily] Butler, daughter, 1 mth, b Hellingly.
Eldest son Frederick may have taken over Springham Farm for a brief period before and/or after 1871, possibly on his marriage to Elizabeth Stapley at Hellingly in 1867.
