Martin Butterfield, son of Martin Butterfield Sr. and Polly Dean, was born on December 8, 1790 in Westmoreland, Cheshire County, New Hampshire. He lived in various communities in New Hampshire, including Westmoreland and Walpole. In 1828, he moved to Palmyra, where he lived the remainder of his life.[1] He married Nancy R. May on October 5, 1835 in the Zion Episcopal Church. They were the parents of five children.
As for his faith, Martin was a Congregationalist until being confirmed by Bishop DeLaney a member of the Zion Episcopal Church. It was said that Martin was never “weary in well doing.” As to Sunday worship, “he was to be found in the vestibule at the beginning of every service.”[2]
Martin worked in the hardware business. He later acquired the rope walk from the Lemuel Durfee heirs. Martin signed the “Testimony of 51 Neighbors” on December 4, 1833, later printed in Mormonism Unvailed.[3] The Evening Post of May 28, 1838 printed a list of letters remaining in the post office. At the post office was a letter addressed to Pliny Sexton from Martin Butterfield.
In 1859, Martin, a member of the Republican Party, was elected to the US House of Representatives to serve in the 36th US Congress from 1859 to 1861.[4] He declined the chance to be a candidate for another term. Martin died on August 6, 1866 in Palmyra. His funeral was attended by a very large concourse of friends and neighbors.[5] He was buried in the Palmyra City Cemetery.
[1] US Census, 1810–1830, 1850–1860.
[2] Martin Butterfield Obituary, in Palmyra Community Library.
[3] Howe, Mormonism Unvailed, pp. 366–367.
[4] Vogel, Early Mormon Documents, 2:50.
[5] Martin Butterfield Obituary.