Ezra Butler | |
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| 11th Governor of Vermont | |
| In office October 13, 1826 – October 10, 1828 | |
| Lieutenant | Aaron Leland Henry Olin |
| Preceded by | Cornelius P. Van Ness |
| Succeeded by | Samuel C. Crafts |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromVermont'sat-large district | |
| In office March 4, 1813 – March 3, 1815 | |
| Preceded by | Seat added |
| Succeeded by | John Noyes |
| Member of theVermont House of Representatives | |
| In office 1794–1797 1799–1804 1807 1808 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1763-09-24)September 24, 1763 |
| Died | July 12, 1838(1838-07-12) (aged 74) Waterbury, Vermont, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic-Republican National Republican Anti-Masonic |
| Spouse | Tryphena Diggins |
| Profession | Lawyer, judge, politician |
Ezra Butler (September 24, 1763 – July 12, 1838) was an American clergyman, politician, lawyer, judge, the 11thgovernor of Vermont, and aUnited States representative from Vermont.
Butler was born inLancaster in theProvince of Massachusetts Bay. In 1770 he moved with his parents toWest Windsor, Vermont. His mother died while he was still a boy, and, after living with his elder brother for several years, he engaged in agricultural pursuits inClaremont, New Hampshire, until he was an adult. He served in theContinental Army for six months in 1779 during theAmerican Revolution.[1][2]
In 1775 Butler staked a claim as the second settler inWaterbury, Vermont.[3] He returned in 1776 with his wife, Tryphena Diggins, with whom he eventually had eleven children.[4]
In 1785, Butler studied law inWaterbury, Vermont, and after he passed the bar, in 1786, he practiced law, and served asTown Clerk in 1790. In 1790, he began to think seriously on religious subjects, became aBaptist in 1791, and in 1800 began to preach atBolton, Vermont. A Baptist church was organized in Waterbury in 1800, and he was its pastor for more than thirty years. He did not allow his ordination to the ministry to interfere with his public career.[2]
Butler was one of the first three selectmen of Waterbury. He was elected member of theVermont House of Representatives, an office he held from 1794 to 1797; from 1799 to 1804; in 1807; and in 1808.[5] He was the first judge of theChittenden County Court from 1803 to 1806;Chief Justice inChittenden County from 1806 to 1811; andChief Justice ofJefferson County from 1812 to 1825 (excepting periods of congressional service). He was elected as aDemocratic-Republican to the Thirteenth Congress and a member of the StateConstitutional Convention in 1822.
Butler was elected as aNational RepublicanGovernor ofVermont from 1826 to 1828. During his tenure, lotteries were abolished, and legislation was passed to require the examination of teachers.[4]
In the1832 election for President, Vermont was carried byAnti-Masonic Party candidateWilliam Wirt. Butler was one of Vermont'selectors, and cast his vote for Wirt.[6]
Butler died inWaterbury on July 12, 1838, and is interred at Waterbury Cemetery.
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| First | National Republican nominee forGovernor of Vermont 1826,1827 | Succeeded by |
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| Preceded by District created | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromVermont's at-large congressional district 1813–1815 | Succeeded by |
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| Preceded by | Governor of Vermont 1826–1828 | Succeeded by |
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