Grave Marking Ceremony in White Post Honors Revolutionary War Veteran Major Lawrence Butler

(WHITE POST, Va. - Oct. 6, 2024)—The Col James Wood II Chapter, Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution conducted a grave marking ceremony to honor Major Lawrence Butler at the Dearmont Farm Cemetery, White Post, Virginia.

Major Butler, (SAR Patriot P-126563), was a prominent figure in Virginia during the American Revolution. He was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He enlisted in December 1776 as a 1st Lieutenant in the 15th Virginia Regiment and was promoted to Captain lieutenant 18 March 1777. The unit was redesignated 11th Virginia on 14 September 1778 and he was promoted to Captain on 14 May 1779. On 12 May 1780 at the Battle of Charleston, he was taken prisoner and held until exchanged in July 1781. Butler was transferred to the 4th Virginia Regiment 12 February 1781 where he served until the end of the war. He reentered the Army as a Major in the 8th Infantry on 24 April 1799 and honorably discharged 15 June 1800.

He was the owner of several properties and on 26 March 1783, had received a land grant of 4000 acres for his service to the county. He owned his farm in White Post a house in Winchester and a bridge in Westmoreland County to go along with the western lands in Kentucky. At the time of his death, he had 350 acres of land on the Seroto River in Ohio which was in dispute in the Superior Court. After Butler was given the land grant in Kentucky, he went to survey and look at his holdings. After the war, he returned to Virginia and settled in White Post, becoming an active member of his community and serving as a local magistrate.

The Virginia SAR Color Guard presented and posted the colors, led by commander Allan Phillips. After a presentation by Richard Tyler, a dedication of the monument was made with the unveiling by John Engles, owner of the property. A wreath presentation was conducted.

Wreaths were presented by Paul Christensen, Colonel James Wood II Chapter SAR; Paul Parish, General Daniel Morgan Chapter SAR; Ken Bonner, Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter SAR; and the DAR by Michelle Phillips, Pack Horse Ford and Anita Bonner, Lanes Mill. A musket squad fired three volleys to honor Major Butler followed by Dale Corey and Phil Hunter leading the singing of “God Bless America.”

First photo is the color guard, l. to r. Allan Phillips, Will Reynolds, Paul Christensen, Richard Tyler, Charles Hunter, Ken Bonner, Dennis Parmerter, Paul Parish, Michelle Phillips and Sean Carrigan.

Second photo are the participants, l. to r. Michelle Phillips, Ken Bonner, Phil Hunter, Sean Carrigan, Richard Tyler, Marc Robinson, Chip Daniel (kneeling), Dale Corey, John Engles, Allan Phillips and Richard Tyler.

3rd photo is the musket squad firing a salute. Photos courtesy of Deborah Corey.