Niagara-on-the-Lake in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Butler's Burial Ground
Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 2, 2025
1. Butler's Burial Ground Marker
Butler’s Burial Ground
Buried in this cemetery are members of the Butler, Claus and Freel families. They were among the earliest British settlers of Niagara
John Butler (1725-1796) and the Butler's Rangers
In 1777, John Butler raised a force of rangers, who with Haudenosaunee allies, raided the frontiers of New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey during the American Revolutionary War. Due to overcrowding at their base at Fort Niagara, Butler built a barracks on this side of the river to house his rangers and their families. Disbanded in 1784, Butler and the members of his regiment were amongst the first Loyalists to settle the Niagara area.
William Claus (1765-1826)
Willam Claus (1765-1826) was the Deputy Superintendent General of the British Indian Department for Upper Canada and Lieutenant Colonel, 1st Lincoln Militia, during the War of 1812.
The name Butler has been used in Niagara for over two centuries. For a period, the town was known as Butlersburg. After the War of 1812, a military base was established and named in John Butler's honour. A number of buildings still exist as part of Butler's Barracks National Historic Site here in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Business, streets, and a school have also shared his name. Descendants of Butler and his rangers still live in Niagara today.
Des membres des familles Butler, Claus et Freel sont enterrés dans ce cimetière. Ils comptaient parmi les premiers colons britanniques du Niagara.
John Butler (1725-1796) et les Rangers de Butlers
En 1777, John Butler a levé une force de rangers qui, avec des alliés Haudenosaunee, ont attaqué les frontières de New York, de la Pennsylvanie et du New Jersey pendant la guerre de l'Indépendance. En raison de la surpopulation de leur base à Fort Niagara, Butler a construit une caserne de ce côté de la rivière pour loger ses rangers et leurs familles. Démantelés en 1784, Butler et les membres de son régiment étaient parmi les premiers loyalistes à s'installer dans la région de Niagara.
William Claus (1765-1826)
William Claus (1765-1826) était le surintendant général adjoint du ministère britannique des Affaires indiennes pour le Haut-Canada et lieutenant-colonel, 1er Régiment de Lincoln, pendant la guerre de 1812.
Le nom de Butler est utilisé dans la région de Niagara depuis plus de deux siècles. Pendant un certain temps, la ville a été connue sous le nom de Butlersburg. Après la guerre de 1812, une base militaire a été établie et nommée en l'horineur de John Butler. Un certain nombre de bâtiments font toujours partie du lieu historique national des Casernes-de-Butler, ici à Niagara-on-the-Lake. Des entreprises, des rues et une école ont également porté son nom. Des descendants de Butler et de ses rangers vivent encore aujourd'hui dans la région de Niagara.
Erected by Parks
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • War of 1812 • War, US Revolutionary.
Location. 43° 15.077′ N, 79° 5.413′ W. Marker is in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is on Butler St. To get to Butler's Burial Ground, follow Butler Street west until it ends. Continue following the walking path (that used to be Butler Street) to its end, at the entrance to the fenced-in Butler's Burial Ground. The marker is on the perimeter fence, right of the entrance. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Niagara-on-the-Lake ON L0S 1J0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe and in Niagara Canada. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other
Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 2, 2025
2. Butler's Burial Ground - marker in context
This marker is on the right as you enter the burial ground.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Negro Burial Ground (was approx. half a kilometer away but has been confirmed missing).
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 123 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 3, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
