My earliest proven ancestor is George H. Butler; b. 22 Jul 1774, NJ. George's mother was Sarah Albertson, b. 18 Jun 1743 in Hunterdon County, NJ, whose roots go back to Holland. Her husband was a Butler but we have no proof of his first name. It may have been James from Sussex County, NJ. He and Sarah had three children, Issac, George and Abigail, b. 25 Nov 1771, b. 22 Jul, 1774 and b. 28 Dec 1776. He then left to fight in the American Revolution and never returned. Sarah remarried about 1787.
In regard to James(?) Butler's given name, there are two references that suggest James.
"Two brothers, George and James Butler came from Scotland and early settled in Oxford Township (Sussex Co.,.NJ) now White Township. James served in the Revolution and never returned home."
- from a Bible record.
"Butler, James, Sussex County, received Bounty, 15 lbs, 2 June 1778, paid to men enlisted and served in the Continental Army 9 mos. (Ref Mss 3661 & 3663)"
- from Stryker " Officers & Men of NJ in the Revolution War" 1872
George had 11 children, the 11th was Henry Johnson Butler; b. 2 Sep 1830., Sussex County, NJ.
Henry had eight children by his first wife, the 3rd was William Taylor Butler; b. 2 Sep 1860, Warren County, NJ
William had 2 children, 2nd of which was Hilton Laire Butler; b. 8 Mar 1900, Belvidere, NJ
Hilton had two children, the first of which was John Butler, b.4 Jun 1928, Belvidere, NJ.
My complete Butler database is included in “Ancestry.com” under my name as I researched it.