Looking for Descendants of Captain John Butler Bengal Staff Corps

[ngullie]

Memorial at Holy Rood Church, Empshott, Hampshire - "In memory of Capt. John Butler, Bengal Staff Corps and Political Agent of the Naga Hills who died on the 7th January 1876 aged 33 near Gologhat Assam on the NE Frontier of India from the effects of a spear wound received in an encounter with the Naga tribes whilst leading an exploring party. A life fill of bright promise was thus prematurely closed in a cause to which he had devoted many years in attempting to civilise the wild and barbarous tribes of that frontier. A true and loyal soldier and a most devoted son, brother and friend."

Any present living Descendants?

[Spidermonkey]

Good luck with your quest, and welcome to Rootschat!

Have you seen this picture of Cpt Butler?
http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=5074977

[bearkat]

As the memorial doesn't mention a wife I expect he was unmarried so it is unlikely there will be any direct descendants.  He had a least one sibling who may have descendants.

Have you found him in a census?

The India Office records say that he died at Lak Nuti nr Golaghat and that he was a Cpt, Ben SC 33.

http://indiafamily.bl.uk/UI/FullDisplay.aspx?RecordId=014-000038565

[Spidermonkey]

In other documents, he is referred to as JOhn Butler jnr - so perhaps his father was also John Butler........ If so, there is reference to a John Butler being in Bengal c. 1850 - when John jnr would only have been about 6.  Perhaps JOhn jnr was born into a Indian Army family?

Going along this theory, there is a John Butler bn 1844-1846 in Bombay mentioned in the GRO Army chaplain birth indices

[ngullie]

Yes he was known as John butler jr. His father John Butler (1809-1874) served in India with the East India Company, the 55th Native Infantry, and in the Assam Commission, retiring to Empshott as a Colonel in 1859. His son Captain John was killed by a Naga spear at the age of 34 in 1876. Harry (1916-1989) and Dodo (1909-1986) both also served in the East..

[bearkat]

Sorry, I'm lost.

Who were Harry and Dodo?

[Spidermonkey]

1861 census for John Butler senior shows him with wife Cecilia (aged 37, so I guessing a second marriage for him) and children Mary Ann (4 bn in Empshott, Hants) and Frederick (2 bn in Gawahally, Assam) RG9; Piece: 700; Folio: 118; Page: 5

[Spidermonkey]

1871 census provides a 3rd half sibling - Agnes (aged 4, bn Empshott)

1891 census provides full name for Agnes as Agnes Cecilia Fanny Butler

[Spidermonkey]

according to the probate calender, when Cecilia died in 1907, probate was granted to Walter Butler, tea planter;

when John Butler jnr died, probate was also left to Walter Butler who is listed as being of the "Woka Tea Estate, Golaghat Assam Tea planter the brother"