14 Facts About Ezra Butler

Ezra Butler was an American clergyman, politician, lawyer, judge, the 11th governor of Vermont, and a United States representative from Vermont.

Ezra Butler's mother died while he was still a boy, and, after living with his elder brother for several years, he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Claremont, New Hampshire, until he was an adult.

Ezra Butler served in the Continental Army for six months in 1779 during the American Revolution.

In 1775 Ezra Butler staked a claim as the second settler in Waterbury, Vermont.

Ezra Butler returned in 1776 with his wife, Tryphena Diggins, with whom he eventually had eleven children.

In 1785, Ezra Butler studied law in Waterbury, Vermont, and after he passed the bar, in 1786, he practiced law, and served as Town Clerk in 1790.

Ezra Butler did not allow his ordination to the ministry to interfere with his public career.

Ezra Butler was one of the first three selectmen of Waterbury.

Ezra Butler was elected member of the Vermont House of Representatives, an office he held from 1794 to 1797; from 1799 to 1804; in 1807; and in 1808.

Ezra Butler was the first judge of the Chittenden County Court from 1803 to 1806; Chief Justice in Chittenden County from 1806 to 1811; and Chief Justice of Jefferson County from 1812 to 1825.

Ezra Butler was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Thirteenth Congress and a member of the State Constitutional Convention in 1822.

Ezra Butler was elected as a National Republican Governor of Vermont from 1826 to 1828.

Ezra Butler was one of Vermont's electors, and cast his vote for Wirt.

Ezra Butler died in Waterbury on July 12,1838, and is interred at Waterbury Cemetery.