The grandson and namesake of our first Virginian forebear distinguished himself and his family with his service in the Revolutionary War through those "times that try men's souls" at Valley Forge with Washington in 1776, and at Brunswick, White Plains, West Point — with Benedict Arnold's treachery —and Middlebrook.

'Nick' Butterworth, as he's sometimes listed in the records, fought in the 10th and 14th Regiments of the Virginia Continental Line as a private from April, 1778 to February, 1779. He was commanded by Col. William Davies, and served in Capt. Peter Jones' Company. These commanders and their men were primarily from the Petersburg, Dinwiddie and Prince George area of Virginia. He was also found listed detailed to a 'Light Infantry Corps, February 14, 1778.'1

[Ed: Pierce Dant Hamblen's account of the 4th Virginia Continental Line can be read here. For a complete first-person account of the life of the average private in campaigns where Nicholas was present, see A Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier — Some of the Adventures, Dangers, and Sufferings of Joseph Plumb Martin, "Signet Classic" edition with an introduction by Thomas Fleming, Penguin Putnam, Inc., New York, 2001.]

Near starvation seemed to be a constant companion regardless of time of year for soldiers of the line. Disease and physical hardship counted more casualties than enemy fire. Many men's health was ever-after compromised, and this may account for the fact that Nicholas died before reaching his fortieth birthday, about 1786-9, leaving no progeny we're aware of at this time.

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NOTES:

1. Butterworth, Ivan, The Butterworths of Dinwiddie County, Virginia, 1961. p. 36.
SEE ALSO: Historical register of Virginians in the Revolution, soldiers, sailors and marines, 1775-1783, edited by John H. Gwathmey, Richmond, VA, 1938.