Posted on: Jennings County IN Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/In/Jennings/549 Surname: Butler, Pabody, Knapp, Thayer, Todd, Newcomb, Frost, Leavitt, Smith, Carlton, Wallace, Jameson, Toner, Thrasher, Treisback, Vawter, Wilkinson, Knowlton, Cox, Miller ------------------------- A Family Re-Union One of the largest gatherings of one family ever held in the State, certainly the largest we ever witnessed anywhere, came off at the residence of Ovid Butler, Esq., just north of the city, near the North Western Christian University, on Thursday last. The day was one of the most beautiful and pleasant of the summer; a gentle breeze brought with it the odor of sweet flowers and a kindly bidding from Nature to toss care aside and be merry. The mandate was promptly obeyed. Children played on the lawn, in front of the family residence, among the flowers, while groups of older folks, some of whom are approaching near to the even-tide of life, collected here and there to discuss the news and relate snatches of personal history, and experience of months and years of separation. The harmony which pervaded the assemblage found expression in patriotic songs and songs of the heart, in which young and old participated or gave a listing ear. The families and parts of families present numbered in all ninety six persons, about sixty of whom were adults. In the meeting every eye was lit up with joy, and health seemed to be imprinted on every countenance; more than all, every one, in heart and word and deed, is loyal---true to the Government which their ancestors fought to establish, the same Government which members of the family are now gloriously fighting to maintain. The head of the present family and branches, Mr. Chancy Butler, was born in Vermont. A good prtion of his life was spent as a farmer in the State of New York, thence he came to this State in 1817, shortly after it was admited to the Union.--Little is now known of the family antecedants prior to the age of Joel Butler, who was the father of the elder Chancy Butler. He, Joel Butler, was a Baptist Preacher and spent much of his life in the calling in New England, and the State of New York. He died in this State in the year 1822. Chancy Butler, the elder, died in this city in 1840, in the 65th year of his age. He was, in the latter part of his life, a Christian preacher and was at the time of his death, Pastor of the Christian Congregation in this city. The following are the names of the brothers and sisters (children of Chancy Butler) and their companions: Mabel Pabody and her husband Dr. Ezra F. Pabody; Ovid Butler and his wife E. Anna Butler; Polly Knapp,widow of Amos Knapp; Sally Thayer wife of Spencer Thayer; Chancy Butler and his wife Jeannette Butler; Demia Todd and husband Dr. Levi W. Todd; William M. Buter and his wife Mary Butler. 1. Branches of the family of D.F. Pabody and wife of Vernon, Indiana; H.C. Newcomb, wife and family of this city; Mrs. Sarrah Butler wife of Dr. Levi Butler of Mineapolis, Minnesota; Mrs. Frost, and family of Seymour, Indiana; Rob't Leavitt, wife and family of Vernon, Indiana; J.B. Smith, and family of Jennings Co., Ind.; Dr. Robt Carlton, wife and family of Madison, Indiana; also two unmarried children, Julia and Ezra F. Pabody Jr. In all 27 persons. 2. Branches of the family of Ovid Butler, of Forest Home, near this city: William Wallace, wife and family of this city; Dr. P. H. Jameson, wife and family of this city; Ovid Butler, Jr. wife and family of this city; also five unmarried children. In all 23 persons present. 3. Branches of the family of Mrs. Polly Knapp of Vernon, Indiana: Elijah W. Knapp, wife and family of Queensville, Indiana; Marion D. Todd and wife of Vernon, Indiana; also two children of deceased daughter of said Polly Knapp. In all 13 persons present. 4. Branches of the family of Spencer Thayer and wife of Shelby county, Indiana: Sidney Thayer, wife and family of Shelby co., Ind.; Tohn Toner, wife and family of Shelby co., Ind; William M Thrasher and wife of Layette co., Ind.; also one unmarried daughter. In all 10 persons present. 5. Branches of the family of chancy Butler of Shelby co., Indiana: Albert Butler and wife and family of Shelby co., Ind. In all 5 persons present. 6. Branches of the family of Dr. Levi Todd and wife of Vernon, Indiana: Mrs. Jane Treisback (wife of Mr. Treisback) and family of Vernon, Ind.; David G. Vawter, wife and family of Franklin, Ind.; Ovid B. Todd and wife of Jennings co., Ind.; also four unmarried children. In all 14 persons present. 7. William M. Butler, wife and one child of Green Lake co., Wisconsin. In all 3 persons present. Besides these there were the two families of the deceased daughters of Chancy Butler, to-wit: Mrs. Eunice Wilkinson and Mrs. Irena Knowlton, unrepresented at the family meeting except by one daughter of Mrs. Knowlton. In all there were 96 persons present--12 of the first generation--47 of the second and 37 of the third. In the afternoon all the relatives collected on the lawn beneath the trees and arranged for a picture, which was taken by the well known Potographic artists, Messrs. Cox and Miller, of this city. The scene was of real Arcadian beauty, and one that will be long remembered by every one present.---Ind. Daily Gazette. From. The Banner July 2, 1863