time he was in Congress his seat was twice contested, first by Dr. Scriven, a man of high character, and afterwards by Edmund Bacon, a man of mark. The last contest gave rise to the unfortunate issue known as the "old and new parties of Edgefield," It was bitter and led to many painful controversies. Mr Bacon not only became reconciled with, but was afterwards a warm friend of General Butler's and frequently entertained him with a hospitality that would scarcely be recognized at the present day.
General Butler was a member of the convention held in Charleston in 1782 to consider the adoption of the Federal Constitution, and with General Sumter and others, whose names are to be found on the journal, voted against it. He was subsequently a member of teh convention which framed our present State Constitution. (Constitution previous to 1868).
General Butler's brothers were Thomas, who was regarded a man of military talent; Sampson, who was Sheriff of Edgefield, and for many years represented that district in the State Legislature; Stanmore, who was a captain in the United States army during the time a war was expected with France, and was Clerk of the Court of Edgefield when he died; and James, who was killed in the Revolution, as already described. He had two sisters, Nancy and Elizabeth. The first married Elisha Brooks, who
