For sixteen years prior to his settlement on the Vineyard, about 1651 or 1652, Nicholas Butler had resided at Dorchester, Mass., whither he emigrated in 1636 from England.  The ship's list names Nicholas Butler with three children and five servants as coming from Eastwell, Co. Kent, in that year, of whom John, who came here probably with his father, and Lydia who married John Minot of Dorchester, May 19 1647, are two.  The third child is not known, as the son Henry did not reach New...

A biographical sketch of Mr. Nicholas Butler, the first of his name on the Vineyard, may be read in Vol. 11 Annals of E. pp. 54-58, but important information concerning his English homes and marriages has been obtained by the author and is here set down to complete the story of his earlier life and connections in England.  He m (1) at St. George's Canterbury, Mary Cotterell Jul 18 1613, who d. in Aug 1623 at Ashford, Kent, where he had resided for several years.  His parentage and pervios...

Mr. Nicholas Butler deceased the 13th of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Six hundred Seventy oneThe Record of his will:This doth testify that I Nicholas Butler Being at present Sound in memory doe Now by this my last will give my Estate Whatsoever that I left after I Shall be buried like a Christian wholly unto my wife Joyce Butler, uppon serious consideration for her to dispose of to hir children and my children as shee shall see good, and hereunto I praise [god] being of memorie...