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The Revolutionary War hero originally migrated from Pennsylvania to Jessamine County Kentucky and later to the mouth of the Kentucky River, when it was known as Port William Settlement, known today as Carrollton. Percival and his wife Mildred Hawkins built a log house in the 1790’s on land that is now General Butler State Resort Park. Governor Isaac Shelby appointed Butler, 1st Adjutant General of Kentucky. It is from this home he performed the duties of the position he held for 24 years.
All five of Percival’s sons fought in the War of 1812. His eldest son, Thomas Langford Butler, was aide-de-camp to General Andrew Jackson. William Orlando Butler, his second son, was a hero of the Battle of New Orleans, winning Jackson’s personal gratitude praising Butler’s contributions, "…on all occasions he displayed that heroic chivalry and calmness of judgment in the midst of danger which distinguished the valuable officer in the hour of battle".
President Polk recalled William Orlando Butler to fight in the Mexican War as one of six Major Generals. After the war Butler was presented with a gold sword from the President of the United States and a silver sword from the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Both swords were made by the renowned Ames Sword Company. Butler’s heroics at the Battle of Monterey also won him the Democratic vice-presidential nomination in 1848 on a ticket with General Lewis Cass.
By the time the Civil War began the Butler Family was as divided as the state. General William Orlando Butler, the park’s namesake, was married to Eliza Todd, 2nd cousin to Mary Todd Lincoln. Through marriage, military background or both, in 1861 Butler served as delegate to the "Peace Convention" at Washington.
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