Butler, John

1728 – He was born this year in New London, Connecticut. His family soon moved to the frontier in the Mohawk Valley near modern Fonda, New York.

1752 – He married Catherine Brandt, and the couple raised five children. He entered militia service in the French and Indian War, and saw action at Fort Ticonderoga, Fort Niagara, and Montreal. After the war he came home, and built his estate up to 26,000 acres.

1755 – He returned to service as a Loyalist when the American Revolution turned to war in this year. He joined Sir William's Indian Department, and in November, he was posted to Fort Niagara. His oldest son Walter served with him. The American rebels detained his wife and other children.

1777 - He led a detachment of Indians from Niagara to accompany Barry St. Leger's Mohawk Expedition as a part of the Saratoga Campaign.

1778 – He led 20 of his rangers and Iroquois allies in the battle of Wyoming Valley (now Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania). He defeated Zebulon Butler, took Forty Fort.

1779 – He lost a fight against the Sullivan Expedition, but withdrew and still held on at Niagara.

1796 – He died on the 12th day of May this year at Niagara.

2006 - The Canadian Government honored Lt-Col Butler with a life-sized bronze bust located at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. He was a key player in the founding of British North America.