John Butler (pioneer), Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

John Butler (pioneer)

Loyalist who led an irregular militia unit known as Butler's Rangers on the northern frontier in the American Revolutionary War

Date of Birth: 01-Jan-1728

Place of Birth: New London, Connecticut, United States

Date of Death: 13-May-1796

Profession: diplomat

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

John Butler (1728–1796) was a Loyalist who led an irregular militia unit known as Butler's Rangers on the northern frontier in New York during the American Revolutionary War.
Born in Connecticut, he moved to New York with his family, where he learned several Iroquoian languages and worked as an interpreter in the fur trade.
He was well-equipped to work with Mohawk and other Iroquois Confederacy warriors who became allies of the British during the rebellion.
During the War, Butler led Seneca and Cayuga forces in the Saratoga campaign in New York.
He later raised and commanded a regiment of rangers, which included affiliated Mohawk and other Iroquois nations' warriors.
They conducted raids in central New York west of Albany, including what became known among the rebels as the Cherry Valley Massacre. After the war Butler resettled in Upper Canada, where he was given a grant of land by the Crown for his services.
Butler continued his leadership in the developing province, helping to found the Anglican Church and Masonic Order, and serving in public office.