Power of Attorney of Colonel John Butler for Robert Hamilton and Robert Addison, January 4,1797

John Butler (1728-1796) was originally from Connecticut but settled with his family in the Mohawk valley of New York around 1742. His father was a Captain in the British army and well acquainted with William Johnson (superintendent of Northern Indians). Butler impressed Johnson with his aptitude for Indian languages and diplomacy. He began to work with Johnson in 1755, and received several promotions in the department, until his apparent retirement in the early 1770s. At the onset of the Revolutionary War in 1775, Butler relocated to Canada to join the British forces, settling in Niagara. During the War, Butler was instrumental in maintaining the alliance with the Indians. After the War, Butler became prominent in local affairs in Niagara, but failed to secure any important offices when the province of Upper Canada was formed in 1792. In an effort to recoup some of the financial losses his family suffered during the War, Butler illegally attempted to supply trade goods to the Indian department with his son Andrew, his nephew Walter Butler Sheehan, and Samuel Street, a Niagara merchant.

Letter to Robert Nelles from his daughter Margaret Pilkington

Letter to Robert Nelles from his daughter Margaret Pilkington (3 pages, handwritten) in which she introduces her father to Dr. Pilkington formerly of the 19th Light Dragoons. Dr. Pilkington has some idea of settling in Upper Canada. She concludes the letter by saying that Doctor Pilkington has given up the idea of settling in Upper Canada. The first part of the letter is dated Feb. 24, 1816 and the second half, Feb. 24, 1816.

Letter to J.P. Bradley from his brother Dr. John Bradley

Letter to J.P. Bradley from his brother Dr. John Bradley regarding settling in Pottsville, Pennsylvania to serve the coal miners, Oct. 28 (3 pages, handwritten). This letter is torn and has a hole in it which affects text slightly, 1847.