Mountain City in Johnson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Roderick Random Butler

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 9, 2017

1. Roderick Random Butler Marker

Inscription. Born in Wythesville, Virginia, April 8, 1827, he came to this county at the age of 14 as a tailor apprentice. During the Civil War, he served as Lieutenant Colonel of the 13th Tennessee Cavalry. First elected in 1867, he was for 10 years a member of the U.S. Congress, and served in the state legislature for 24 years. He completed this house around 1870. In 1902 he died, and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1A-96.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 8, 1827.

Location. 36° 28.65′ N, 81° 48.177′ W. Marker is in Mountain City, Tennessee, in Johnson County. It is at the intersection of North Church Street and Butler Street, on the left when traveling south on North Church Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mountain City TN 37683, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker

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is in East Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Historic 1925 Fiddler's Convention (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Time Music at Clarence Ashley's (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Ballad of Finley Preston (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tom Dooley (approx. 0.2 miles away); Train 45 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Amazing Grace (approx. 0.2 miles away); Handsome Molly (approx. 0.2 miles away); G.B. Grayson (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mountain City.

Also see . . . Wikipedia Entry. “Butler was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1859, representing Johnson and Carter counties,

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 9, 2017

2. Roderick Random Butler Marker

and was reelected in 1861. He was one of fifteen legislators to vote against the state’s military alignment with the Confederate States of America in May 1861. He was a member of the Johnson County delegation at both the Knoxville session (May 30–31) and Greeneville session (June 17–20) of the East Tennessee Convention, which petitioned the state legislature to allow East Tennessee to break away from Tennessee and form a Union-aligned state.

“Described by fellow Unionist Oliver Perry Temple as ‘unshrinking’ and "outspoken," Butler was arrested by Confederate authorities and charged with treason in 1862, but was acquitted due to lack of witnesses. He was arrested on a similar charge a short while later, but was released with the help of friends, and fled to Kentucky. He was authorized by General Ambrose Burnside to raise a Union Army regiment, but this new regiment was consolidated with the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry under Colonel John K. Miller in late 1863. Butler received the rank of lieutenant colonel, and served until 1864, when he resigned for health reasons.” (Submitted on June 14, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)

Roderick Random Butler (1827–1902) image. Click for full size.

Unsigned engraving via Wikipedia Commons

3. Roderick Random Butler (1827–1902)

Roderick Random Butler House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 9, 2017

4. Roderick Random Butler House

This is a private residence. Do not trespass.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 945 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 14, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.