Butler's Burying Ground Traditional Cache

Colonel John Butler was the leader of Butler's Rangers which were the early descendants of what is now the Lincoln and Welland Regiment. Butler's Rangers were formed in 1777 after John Butler led a strong detachment of Indians from Niagara at the Battle of Oriskany in August of 1777. One of their goals was to aid and rescue Loyalists trapped as a result of the American Revolution.

Butler's Rangers were renowned for the guerrilla warfare tactics used against the Patriot forces of the United States. These tactics which did not conform to the "Rules of War" made the Rangers a very feared and much hated force during the American Revolution.

The Rangers were based out of Fort Niagara but as the size of the Rangers ranks swelled Butler requested and negotiated for the lands across the Niagara River for housing and training his Rangers. Butler's Barracks are named to honour the memory of Colonel Butler and served for many years as the training and assembly ground. The current location of Butlers Barracks is not the original location where Colonel Butler originally built the barracks. The original location was on the high ground of what is now Melville Street

When the Ranger's were disbanded in 1784 Butler returned to farming in the Niagara Peninsula. In his civilian life he was still very much active in the local affairs as well as continuing to serve with the Indian Department right up until his death. A great deal of frustration on Butler's part grew from the fact that he was never asked to participate in a larger political role in the formation of Canada. Butler died in Niagara on 12 May 1796 after a lengthy illness and was interred here. While many think that this is a military burial ground it is in fact the Butler family plot. The front of the crypt has been backfilled in after the door to the crypt was damaged and fears that animals may drag the bones away from their rightful resting place. All that is visible today is the top concrete work of the crypt as shown below. Please be respectful as this is not only a place of internment but is surrounded by residential homes. Daytime caching only please.