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William Butler autobiographies and letters

 File — Folder: 1
Identifier: MSS SC 863

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of autobiographies and personal letters. Included are four personal histories of varying lengths. Butler described his visions, business matters, family relationships, church assignments, missions served, and recounted many colorful experiences including hunting down and killing the murderer of one of his children. The letters were written by William Butler and his first wife, Emma Harvey, to their Henry Harvey Butler in 1891-2 while Henry was serving on a mission to the Eastern U.S.

Dates

  • 1850-1905

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from William Butler autobiography and letters must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

Butler was born in Ireland, immigrated to the U.S., and joined the Mormon Church in Salt Lake City in 1850. Butler served three missions to Great Britain for the Mormon Church. When he returned from the first of these in 1856, he accompanied the Ellsworth handcart company to Utah. William was a farmer and lived primarily in Marriott and Kaysville, Utah. He served with Lot Smith and the Utah militia resisting federal forces in 1857-8. Butler had five wives, thirty children, and served time in the Utah territorial prison for bigamy.

Extent

1 folder (0.2 linear ft.) : (19 items)

Custodial History

Donated by Barbara Butler Anderson in 1986.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated; Barbara Butler Anderson; 1986.

Appraisal

19th Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts.

Existence and Location of Copies

Reproduced in 1986.

Title
Register of William Butler autobiographies and letters
Status
Completed
Author
Elisa Visick
Date
2010 July 21
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States