The five Fighting Butlers were brothers of Irish extraction who settled in Carlisle, colonial Pennsylvania, and at Fort Pitt, and were involved in the American Revolutionary War, the Battle of the Wabash, and the American settlement of the region surrounding the mouth of the Mississippi River. Editor Francis P. Blair popularized the story of the Fighting Butlers when William O. Butler was a Democratic Party vice-presidential candidate in 1848 with Lewis Cass.
The older three were born in Ireland. The younger two were born in Pennsylvania.
Richard Butler (1743–1791), killed in the Northwest Indian War
Four children with Maria Smith
William Butler, U.S. Navy, died during War of 1812
Mary Butler m. Isaac Meason
James R. Butler, commanded Pittsburg Blues in War of 1812
Richard Butler m. Anna Wilkins, daughter of General John Wilkins
Tamanatha ("Captain Butler") with Nonhelema Hokolesqua
William Butler (d. 1789), involved in the Battle of Monmouth and Sullivan Expedition
Son died in the Navy
Son was officer in Wayne's army in 1794
Richard Butler (1777–1820) m. Margaret Farar
Rebecca Butler m. Samuel McCutchon, 4 children
Thomas Butler (1748–1805), 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment, severely wounded in the Northwest Indian War
Thomas Butler m. Ann Ellis (of Ellis Cliffs, Mississippi), settled in Louisiana, 12 children
Robert Butler m. Rachel Hays (a niece of Andrew Jackson), settled in Florida
William Edward Butler m. Martha Thompson "Patsy" Hays (a niece of Andrew Jackson), settled in west Tennessee
Lydia Butler m. Stockley D. Hays (a nephew of Andrew Jackson)
Percival Butler (1760–1821), 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment, an adjutant general of Kentucky in the War of 1812 m. Mildred Hawkins ("Percival Butler was born near Carlisle, Pa., April 4, 1760. He was the fourth son. When but slightly over 17 he received his commission as first lieutenant in the Third Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line. He put in that dreary winter at Valley Forge, was at Monmouth and at the capture of Cornwallis. He served under Anthony Wayne until the disbandment of the Continental army. In 1784 he emigrated to Kentucky. In 1812 he was adjutant general of the state and joined a detachment of troops sent from the state in the War of 1812.")
Thomas Langford Butler
William O. Butler (1791–1880), candidate for Vice President of the United States in 1848
Caroline Hawkins Butler m. James Pryor
Jane Hawkins Butler m. N. E. Ewing
Percival Pierce Butler Jr. (1794–1851), Kentucky state Senator
Edward Butler (1762–1803), 9th Pennsylvania Regiment and the Northwest Indian War, adjutant general of the U.S. Army
Anthony Wayne Butler
Caroline Swanwick Butler m. Bell
Edward George Washington Butler, married a great-granddaughter of Martha Washington, settled in Louisiana
Eliza Eleanor Butler m. John Donelson IV (a nephew of Andrew Jackson)