NZ Marriages (Bride)
🔍 ASHSkipped as Samuel is male and unlikely to be present in this single-sex search.
NZ Marriages (Bride, married surname)
🔍 ASHSkipped as Samuel is male and unlikely to be present in this single-sex search.
NZ Births (Mother)
🔍 ASHSkipped as Samuel is male and unlikely to be present in this single-sex search.
Suggested Searches for Samuel Butler
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FamilySearchGENiGeneanetEarly NZ History
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHEarly European contact with New Zealand, pre-1846
Source: Early NZ History / courtesy of Tony Christiansen
| Name | Born | Died | Mother | Father | Spouse |
| Samuel Butler | 1801 | 1836 | Hannah (HATCHMAN) Hitchman | John (Rev) Gare Butler | Ann Dunn |
| Samuel John Butler | 1824 | 1910 | Ann Dunn | Samuel Butler | Susan Blair |
Te Papa Collections - People
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://data.tepapa.govt.nz/collection/search?q=type:Person+AND+title:(Samuel+AND+Butler)
Retrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 0.046 seconds
No results found.
Tributes Online (obituaries)
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://www.tributes.co.nz/Webform1.aspx/GetTributes
Retrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 0.184 seconds
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Whanganui Council Property Rolls
Butler, Samuel 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://wdc.whanganui.govt.nz/propertyrolls/data.aspx?id=search
Retrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 0.256 seconds
No results found.
Otago Nominal Index
🔍 ASHSearch URL:
Retrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 0.257 seconds
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NZ Deaths
🔍 ASHSearch URL:
Retrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 0.376 seconds
Source: BDMs by DIA / CC BY 4.0
| Registration | Family Name | Given Name(s) | Born (approx.) | Age at Death (approx.) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942/32259 | Butler | Walter Samuel | 1873 | 69Y | Order Product |
| 1930/9936 | Butler | Samuel | 1846 | 84Y | Order Product |
| 1906/2246 | Butler | Samuel Thomas | 1844 | 62Y | Order Product |
| 1881/2760 | Butler | William Samuel | 1881 | 18M | Order Product |
| 1952/30618 | Butler | Frederick Samuel | 1875 | 77Y | Order Product |
| 1975/47739 | Butler | Samuel | 4 January 1921 🔍NZ | 54 years | Order Product |
| 2011/14979 | Butler | Samuel | 10 April 1932 🔍NZ | 79 years | Order Product |
| 1999/20375 | Butler | Clifford Samuel | 30 September 1914 🔍NZ | 84 years | Order Product |
NZ Presbyterian Marriages
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 0.471 seconds
No results found.
Shadows of Time
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 0.471 seconds
Source: Shadows of Time / Copyright Wendy Leahy
D 22 10 2003 BUTLER Samuel Thomas . B 13 09 2003 BUTTERFIELD Isabel 95th year D 04 11 2003 BUTTERICK Charlotte Rose . B 31 01 2004 BUTTON Hilda Constance 90th year D 03 02 2004
shadowsoftime.co.nz/b&d-b.html
Sooty NZ (NZ history and genealogical information)
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 0.422 seconds
No results found.
Alexander Turnbull Library
Butler, Samuel 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://tiaki.natlib.govt.nz/imu/request.php
Retrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 0.21 seconds
Showing first 20 results
Source: Alexander Turnbull Library by National Library / CC BY 3.0 NZ
| Title | Summary | Thumbnail |
| 2 Manuscripts of Edmund Gosse | 2 Manuscripts of Edmund Gosse. 19--. Gullick, Norman Davidge (Sir), 1892-1952 : Papers (MS-Papers-0082). [Series] | |
| Gullick, Norman Davidge (Sir), 1892-1952 : Papers | MS-Papers-0082. Gullick, Norman Davidge (Sir), 1892-1952 : Papers. 1875-1944. [Collection] | |
| Kinsey, Joseph James (Sir) 1852-1936 : Scrapbook relating to Samuel Butler | MS-Papers-4937. Kinsey, Joseph James (Sir) 1852-1936 : Scrapbook relating to Samuel Butler. 1865-1938. [Collection] | |
| 6 Drama | 6 Drama. Sargeson, Frank, 1903-1982 : Collection (ATL-Group-00945). [Series] | |
| Livestock brands from the `Brand Book for Canterbury' of 1861 | PUBL-0131-001. Livestock brands from the `Brand Book for Canterbury' of 1861. Brand Book for Canterbury, 1861 (PUBL-0131). [Piece] | |
| Williams, Barry : Recordings of songs from Narcissus | MS-Group-01. Williams, Barry : Recordings of songs from Narcissus. [Collection] | |
| Enys, John Davies, 1837-1912 : Papers | MS-Papers-0670. Enys, John Davies, 1837-1912 : Papers. 1813, 1864-1912. [Collection] | |
| Letters and notes about Samuel Butler and his works | MS-Papers-0022-53. Letters and notes about Samuel Butler and his works. 1865, 1901, n d. Kinsey, Joseph James (Sir), 1852-1936 : Papers (MS-Papers-0022). [Item] | |
| List of Arctic & Antarctic exploration and travel books | MS-Papers-0022-75. List of Arctic & Antarctic exploration and travel books. [19--]. Kinsey, Joseph James (Sir), 1852-1936 : Papers (MS-Papers-0022). [Item] | |
| Samuel Butler and Thomas Butler | MS-Papers-0037-041. Samuel Butler and Thomas Butler. 1862-1865, 1865-1886, 1901. Haast family: Collection (ATL-Group-00475). [Item] | |
| Inward correspondence - Henry Festing Jones | MS-Papers-0057-044. Inward correspondence - Henry Festing Jones. 1889, 1913-1914. Turnbull, Alexander Horsburgh, 1868-1918 : Papers (MS-Papers-0057). [Item] | |
| Manuscripts of Edmund Gosse | MS-Papers-0082-12. Manuscripts of Edmund Gosse. 1920, n d. Gullick, Norman Davidge (Sir), 1892-1952 : Papers (MS-Papers-0082). [Item] | |
| Inward correspondence - Samuel Butler | MS-Papers-0086-12. Inward correspondence - Samuel Butler. 1902. Alpers, Oscar Thorwald Julian, 1867-1927 : Papers (MS-Papers-0086). [Item] | |
| An imaginary conversation - William Yate and Samuel Butler (2 copies) | MS-Papers-0432-365. An imaginary conversation - William Yate and Samuel Butler (2 copies). n d. Sargeson, Frank, 1903-1982 : Collection (ATL-Group-00945). [Item] | |
| Maori land documents: Miscellaneous papers on land | MS-Papers-0823. Maori land documents: Miscellaneous papers on land. 1821-1943. [Item] | |
| Trapp, Joseph Burney, fl 1940s : Notes on the Samuel Butler collection in Alexander Turnbull Library | MS-Papers-2884. Trapp, Joseph Burney, fl 1940s : Notes on the Samuel Butler collection in Alexander Turnbull Library. [ca 1947]. [Item] | |
| Jones, Henry Festing, b 1851 : Letter to William Henry Triggs | MS-Papers-3018. Jones, Henry Festing, b 1851 : Letter to William Henry Triggs. 7 Apr 1918. [Item] | |
| Briffault, Robert, 1876-1948 : Letter | MS-Papers-3070. Briffault, Robert, 1876-1948 : Letter. 8 Mar 1938. [Item] | |
| Wilcox, Dora, 1873-1954 : Letter to Sir Joseph Kinsey | MS-Papers-3346. Wilcox, Dora, 1873-1954 : Letter to Sir Joseph Kinsey. 13 Jul 1934. [Item] | |
| An imaginary conversation - William Yate and Samuel Butler (2 copies) | MS-Papers-4261-282. An imaginary conversation - William Yate and Samuel Butler (2 copies). n d, 1965-1966. Sargeson, Frank, 1903-1982 : Collection (ATL-Group-00945). [Item] |
Transcriptions NZ
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 0.491 seconds
Source: Transcriptions NZ / courtesy of Beverley Evans
July 1923 age 70 hus. ... July 1938 age 65 hus. ... April 1930 age 85 & dau. ... Mabel (formerly BERKETT) d. ... Lawrence (1/NZEF) d. ... June 1943 age 85 & hus. ... Robert (1/NZEF
https://www.transcriptions.nz/Gravestone.Photos/Bromley.Cemetery.html
WWII Military Draft Lists
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHFrom 1940-45, men aged 18-46 were selected by ballot for potential service with the Armed Forces under New Zealand's wartime conscription. Twenty-four ballot lists were published in the NZ Gazette.
NOTE: Being listed in a ballot did not necessarily mean the person served in the military. Some had already volunteered, others were found medically unfit, granted deferment or exemption on appeal, or were never called up for active service. These records document those selected for possible service, not confirmed service personnel.
Source: Indexed by Luke Howison from 24 NZ Gazette ballot lists, provided by NZLII
| Registration No | Surname | Forenames | Occupation | Address | Military District | Gazette Ref | Page No | PDF Link |
| 579803 | Butler | Clifford Samuel | farmer | White Pine Bush Rd., Taneatua | Paeroa | Vol 31, 25 Mar 1942 | 771 | View Page |
Early Settlers Roll, Auckland Province
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHThese records (including faint annotations handwritten in pencil) have been automatically transcribed - please check original page image (linked) to verify
Source: Roll of early settlers and descendants in the Auckland Province prior to the end of 1852, compiled by Eadie Forbes for the Auckland Centennial Council in 1940. Extensive annotations with extra information about individuals. Information notated as 'A to Sir GG' has been drawn from Addresses to Sir George Grey. Made available by Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, indexed by Luke Howison, April 2026.
| Forenames | Surname | Life Dates | Vessel Name | Vessel Arrival Date | First Residence In NZ | Page No | Page Image |
| Samuel | Butler | 1800-1836 | General Gates | 12-8-1819 | Kororareka | 32 | View Page Image |
Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://api.aucklandmuseum.com/search/cenotaph/_search
Retrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 0.23 seconds
No results found.
Intention to Marry Project
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://itm.howison.co.nz/search/Samuel+Butler
Retrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 0.227 seconds
You can help correct transcription errors by signing up as a volunteer
Source: NZ Intention to Marry Project - transcribed, searchable Intention to Marry registers, courtesy of Archives New Zealand / Public domain and CC0
2 results for Samuel Butler
These records have been automatically transcribed and must be verified using the linked page images
| No | Date of Notice | Names and Surnames of Parties | BDM Match | Condition | Calling or Profession | Age | Dwelling Place | Length of Residence | Marriage Place | Folio | Consent | Date of Certificate | Officiating Minister | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 918 | 29 December 1902 |
Frederick Samuel Butler
Alice Mary Woodhead |
Bachelor Spinster |
Milk Vendor |
28 26 |
Auckland 20 Jervois Road |
20 years |
Wesleyan Church | 02/156 | 29 December 1902 | C. H. Farland, Methodist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| No | Date of Notice | Names and Surnames of Parties | BDM Match | Condition | Calling or Profession | Age | Dwelling Place | Length of Residence | Marriage Place | Folio | Consent | Date of Certificate | Officiating Minister | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 479 | 25 October 1905 |
Walter Samuel Butler
Linda Alberta Palmer |
Bachelor Spinster |
Builder |
33 years 29 years |
Caversham Caversham |
3 days 29 years |
In the house of Mr. W. S. Palmer, Marion Street, Caversham | 05/6788 | 25 October 1905 | S. A. Dutton | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Archives NZ
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://archway.howison.co.nz/ajax/simple.php?search=%22samuel%22+butler&simple_view=1
Retrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 0.287 seconds
Source: Archives NZ Collections Search / CC BY / via Archway
Land Information New Zealand, Hamilton Regional Office > R9989639 (unknown)
Department of Internal Affairs, Head Office > R24099383 (unknown)
Auckland Provincial Government > Superintendent General Government inward correspondence
The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand > Patent Specifications
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Alan Samuel Butler - Improvements in or relating to wind screens for vehicles | 1938 | Wellington | Open |
Ministry of Forestry, Head Office > "M" Black and White Negatives and Prints
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Caption: Mountains of upper Havelock region. Remnants of Samuel Butler's burning policy in foreground. Classification: 187 Canterbury-general. Photographer: J. H. Johns Date: 1963 |
1963 | Wellington | Open |
Land Information New Zealand, National Office > Lands and Survey Central filing system
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Louper (Lauper), Jacob - Enquiry Re Crown Grant [Lauper was assistant to surveyor who surveyed Samuel Butler's Mesopotamia] | 1929 ‑ 1946 | Wellington | Open |
National Library of New Zealand > Central filing system (multiple number subject)
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Samuel Butler | 1959 ‑ 1974 | Wellington | Open |
High Court Auckland, Department of Justice > Land valuation files
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Application for consent to sale - Samuel Campbell Crawford and Grace Amelia Amanda Crawford to Cuthbert Peter Butler and Mary Butler | 1947 | Auckland | Open |
| Application for consent to sale - Samuel Ernest Swinburne and Elsie May Tracey to Ronald Herbert Butler and Nancy Joyce Butler | 1945 | Auckland | Open |
High Court Auckland, Department of Justice > Auckland actions/civil proceedings files
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Action File - George Samuel Whiteside of Whakatane Retired Surveyor v William George Butler of Opotiki Farmer | 1935 ‑ 1936 | Auckland | Open |
Rotorua High Court > Rotorua Land Valuation Proceedings files
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Land valuation - Samuel John Jones and Grace Winifred Jones to Walter Joseph Butler, Vernon Geoffrey Garton and Donal Nelson Managh | 1976 | Auckland | Restricted |
High Court Auckland, Department of Justice > Auckland miscellaneous files
Christchurch High Court > Christchurch Probate files
| Name | Scan | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| BUTLER Samuel - Christchurch - Builder | 1930 | Christchurch | Open | |
| BUTLER Walter Samuel - Christchurch - Builder | 1943 | Christchurch | Open |
Lawrence Magistrate's Court > Lawrence Application files
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Application for special dredging claim - Samuel Paul Askin - Waipori Survey District | 1900 | Dunedin | Open |
Canterbury District Health Board > Sunnyside Hospital patient files
| Name | Scan | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Sunnyside Hospital patient files ... 1892 [2002]; BUTLER Malcolm Newman James ... | 1892 ‑ 1893 | Christchurch | Open | |
| Sunnyside Hospital patient files ... 1885 [1381]; BUTLER Patrick - ... | 1884 ‑ 1888 | Christchurch | Open | |
| Sunnyside Hospital patient files ... 1910 [3844]; BUTLER Rose Emily ... | 1910 | Christchurch | Open |
Alexandra District Court > Alexandra Application files
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Application for water race - John Butler - Obelisk Creek | 1889 | Dunedin | Open |
| Application for branch race - John Butler - Obelisk Spur | 1889 | Dunedin | Open |
New Plymouth High Court > New Plymouth probate files
| Name | Scan | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| BUTLER Frederick Samuel | 1952 | Wellington | Open |
Alexandra District Court > Arrowtown Application files
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Application for extended claim - Evan Roberts, Samuel Williams, William Robson - Butler's Terrace, Cardrona | 1888 | Dunedin | Open |
| Application for water race - Evan Roberts, Samuel Williams, Wiliam Robson - Butler's Creek | 1888 | Dunedin | Open |
| Application to surrender extended claim - Evan Roberts, Samuel Williams, William Robson - Butlers Terrace, Cardrona | 1889 | Dunedin | Open |
Palmerston North High Court > Palmerston North Probate files [second sequence]
| Name | Scan | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| BUTLER Samuel | 1975 | Wellington | Open |
Department of Lands and Survey, Christchurch District Office > Inwards Correspondence to the Provincial Secretary [ICPS]
Government Printing Office > Registered files
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Publications - Samuel Butler at Mesopotamia | 1960 ‑ 1979 | Wellington | Open |
Christchurch District Court > Akaroa Magistrate's Court Criminal Files
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Akaroa Criminal Case File - Justice of the Peace v Samuel Butler | 1893 | Christchurch | Open |
Justice Department > Coroners Inquests, case files
| Name | Scan | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Coroners inquests unnecessary - ... Penelope Ann; Butler, Henry Sydney Thorpe; ... | 1958 | Wellington | Open | |
| Coroners inquests Unnecessary - ... Edith Bishop; Butler, Edith Marion; Lawrence, ... | 1962 | Wellington | Open | |
| Coroners inquests unnecessary - ... Helen Jane; Butler, Edna Violet Treherne; ... | 1960 | Wellington | Open | |
| Coroners inquests - Case files - Christchurch - Butler, Samuel Arthur | 1955 | Wellington | Open |
Waihi District Court > Waihi Mining Registrations
📂 Item
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Tenant: W A Tudor, ... (Mr J Butler) Woodfield Importing Company ... | 1927 ‑ 1928 | Dunedin | Open |
| ALPINE SHEPHERDS OF NEW ZEALAND - Produced by Hayward Film Productions - Commentator Jeffry Bach - 16mm colour reversal print with sound (status: not assessed) | 1969 | Wellington | Open |
Kura Heritage Collections (Auckland)
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 0.327 seconds
Source: Copyright Auckland Council Libraries Heritage Collections / non-commercial personal use
| Title | Date | Record type |
| Butler, Samuel, 1835-1902 | Auckland People and Events | |
| Butler, Samuel, 1835-1902 | Auckland People and Events | |
| Butler, Samuel, 1835-1902 | Auckland People and Events | |
| Butler, Samuel, 1835-1902 | 1960 | Auckland People and Events |
| Butler, Samuel, 1835-1902 | Auckland People and Events | |
| Butler, Samuel, 1835-1902 | 1964 | Auckland People and Events |
| Butler, Samuel, 1835-1902 | Auckland People and Events | |
| Butler, Samuel, 1835-1902 | Auckland People and Events | |
| Butler, John Gare, 1781-1841 | 1823 | Auckland People and Events |
| Butler, Samuel, 1801-1836 | Auckland People and Events |
NZ Births
🔍 ASHSearch URL:
Retrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 1.205 seconds
Source: BDMs by DIA / CC BY 4.0
| Registration | Family Name | Given Name(s) | Mother's Given Name(s) | Father's Given Name(s) | Still Birth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1914/28396 | Butler | Clifford Samuel | Etta Elizabeth | Edward John | - | Order Product |
| 1880/7670 | Butler | William Samuel | Margaret | Martin | - | Order Product |
| 1875/5572 | Butler | Frederic Samuel | Martha Elizabeth | Frederic Burdett | - | Order Product |
| 1932/11807 | Butler | Samuel | Violet Aphra Harvey | Isaac George | - | Order Product |
Our Stuff - Denise & Peter's NZ history site
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 1.164 seconds
Source: Our Stuff by Denise and Peter on Rootsweb / "All information, lists and stories on this site may be freely linked to"
George Timaru Freehold Butler Samuel Mesopotamia Freehold Butterworth William Opawa River Freehold Cain Henry Timaru Freehold Duff John Edward Timaru Leasehold Dunnage Robert
https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~ourstuff/genealogy/ElectoralCanterbury1861.htm
NZ Genealogy Research Made Easy
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 1.061 seconds
Source: New Zealand Genealogy Research Made Easy, by Barbara Andrew / "pages may be freely linked"
Fulloon 129 MALING Peter Bromley "Samuel Butler at Mesopotamia " 1984 097 MANING Archibald Brother of Frederick E 083 MANING Frederick Edwd Irishman from Tasmania arr. pre 1840
https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~babznz/genealogy/remittancemen.html
Dictionary of NZ Biography (Scholefield, 1940)
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://dict-bio.howison.co.nz/ash_search/?s=Samuel+Butler
Retrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 0.199 seconds
Indexed by Luke Howison, 2023
Source: A Dictionary of NZ Biography, by Scholefield (1940), from NZ History / CC BY-NC 3.0 NZ
| Name | Biography | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Samuel Butler | BUTLER, SAMUEL (1835-1902) was the son of the Rev. Thomas Butler and grandson of Samuel Butler (1774-1839), Bishop of Lichfield. Born at Langar, Nottinghamshire, he was educated at Allesley, near Coventry, and at Shrewsbury school. At St John's College, Cambridge, he took a high place in the classical tripos in 1858. He was deeply influenced at an early age by Italy and music, and studied art with some success, painting passably in water colours. He was intended for the church, but his opinions made this profession distasteful to him, and after stormy scenes with his father he persuaded him to make available sufficient capital to enable the son to settle as a sheep farmer in New Zealand. Sailing in the Roman Emperor (Sep 1859) Butler landed in Lyttelton in Jan 1860. With a companion he took long rides through the province in search of land, and eventually selected a small property up the Rangitata river which he called Mesopotamia. There he settled in Jun with a man and two cadets, their nearest neighbour being 25 miles distant. The station was of 8,000 acres and Butler soon had 3,000 sheep. His cadet, John Brabazon, had a fourth share. Though quite inexperienced, Butler showed great determination and judgment and succeeded in a few years in achieving his ambition by doubling his capital of £4,000, and thus being able to return to England. His letters home, after being severely edited by his father, were published in 1863 under the title A First Year in Canterbury Settlement. They showed that he had a fund of common-sense. By the end of 1863, aided by the reflected prosperity of the Otago goldfields, Butler sold the property to William Parkerson. While at Mesopotamia he had written for The Press some articles which he afterwards used in Erewhon, or Over the Range (1872). In these, as in many subsequent works, he satirises the Darwinian theory and conventional religion. Amongst Butler's acquaintances in New Zealand were G. S. Sale, William Rolleston, W. S. Moorhouse, Joshua Strange Williams, John Baker and von Haast. During his occupancy of Mesopotamia, but while he was temporarily absent, Dr Andrew Sinclair (q.v.) met his death in fording the Rangitata river, and was buried on the flat below the homestead. On returning to England Butler established himself at Clifford's Inn in London and devoted his attention mainly to music and painting. Between 1868 and 1876 he exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy. But the publication of his book Life and Habit in 1877 convinced him that letters were his forte, and thereafter he wrote regularly. He was extremely versatile, indulging with equal thoroughness and success in classical exercises such as the translation into colloquial English of the Iliad and the Odyssey and in biological controversy. His dispute with Darwin over evolution, in the course of which he published three books, rather embittered Darwin and did not entirely satisfy Butler. With Festing Jones, afterwards his biographer, Butler composed a secular oratorio Narcissus (1888) and he had done his part of another (Ulysses) before his death. Butler died on 18 Jun 1902, and his best known novel The Way of All Flesh was published posthumously in 1903. Festing Jones (pp); Encycl. Brit.; D.N.B.; Acland; Baker; Cant. O.N.; Wigram; Natural History of Canterbury; The Press, 25 May 1911. | Volume 1, page 80 |
BUTLER, SAMUEL (1835-1902) was the son of the Rev. Thomas Butler and grandson of Samuel Butler (1774-1839), Bishop of Lichfield. Born at Langar, Nottinghamshire, he was educated at Allesley, near Coventry, and at Shrewsbury school. At St John's College, Cambridge, he took a high place in the classical tripos in 1858. He was deeply influenced at an early age by Italy and music, and studied art with some success, painting passably in water colours. He was intended for the church, but his opinions made this profession distasteful to him, and after stormy scenes with his father he persuaded him to make available sufficient capital to enable the son to settle as a sheep farmer in New Zealand.
Sailing in the Roman Emperor (Sep 1859) Butler landed in Lyttelton in Jan 1860. With a companion he took long rides through the province in search of land, and eventually selected a small property up the Rangitata river which he called Mesopotamia. There he settled in Jun with a man and two cadets, their nearest neighbour being 25 miles distant. The station was of 8,000 acres and Butler soon had 3,000 sheep. His cadet, John Brabazon, had a fourth share. Though quite inexperienced, Butler showed great determination and judgment and succeeded in a few years in achieving his ambition by doubling his capital of £4,000, and thus being able to return to England. His letters home, after being severely edited by his father, were published in 1863 under the title A First Year in Canterbury Settlement. They showed that he had a fund of common-sense. By the end of 1863, aided by the reflected prosperity of the Otago goldfields, Butler sold the property to William Parkerson. While at Mesopotamia he had written for The Press some articles which he afterwards used in Erewhon, or Over the Range (1872). In these, as in many subsequent works, he satirises the Darwinian theory and conventional religion. Amongst Butler's acquaintances in New Zealand were G. S. Sale, William Rolleston, W. S. Moorhouse, Joshua Strange Williams, John Baker and von Haast. During his occupancy of Mesopotamia, but while he was temporarily absent, Dr Andrew Sinclair (q.v.) met his death in fording the Rangitata river, and was buried on the flat below the homestead. On returning to England Butler established himself at Clifford's Inn in London and devoted his attention mainly to music and painting. Between 1868 and 1876 he exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy. But the publication of his book Life and Habit in 1877 convinced him that letters were his forte, and thereafter he wrote regularly. He was extremely versatile, indulging with equal thoroughness and success in classical exercises such as the translation into colloquial English of the Iliad and the Odyssey and in biological controversy. His dispute with Darwin over evolution, in the course of which he published three books, rather embittered Darwin and did not entirely satisfy Butler. With Festing Jones, afterwards his biographer, Butler composed a secular oratorio Narcissus (1888) and he had done his part of another (Ulysses) before his death. Butler died on 18 Jun 1902, and his best known novel The Way of All Flesh was published posthumously in 1903.
Festing Jones (pp); Encycl. Brit.; D.N.B.; Acland; Baker; Cant. O.N.; Wigram; Natural History of Canterbury; The Press, 25 May 1911.
Volume 1, page 80NZ War Graves
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 0.235 seconds
No results found.
NZSG Kiwi Collection (non-member records)
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHSource: Kiwi Collection copyright The New Zealand Society of Genealogists / with the kind permission of the NZSG
| Name | Date | Record Type |
|---|---|---|
| BUTLER, Clifford Samuel 🔍 | 14 Sep 1999 | NZ Herald Deaths |
| BUTLER, Frederick Samuel 🔍 | 07 Apr 1952 | NZ Probates |
| BUTLER, Samuel 🔍 | 24 Nov 1930 | NZ Probates |
| BUTLER, Samuel 🔍 | 14 Oct 1975 | NZ Probates |
| BUTLER, Samuel 🔍 | Aug 2021 | NZ Genealogist |
| BUTLER, Walter Samuel 🔍 | 10 Mar 1943 | NZ Probates |
Tinui History
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://www.tinuihistory.org/_/search?query=%22Butler%2C+Samuel%22+OR+%22Samuel+Butler%22&scope=site
Retrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 2.29 seconds
No results found.
Masterton Anglican History
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 2.286 seconds
No results found.
NZ Marriages (Groom)
🔍 ASHSearch URL:
Retrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 3.081 seconds
Source: BDMs by DIA / CC BY 4.0
| Registration | Bride's Given Name(s) | Bride's Family Name | Groom's Given Name(s) | Groom's Family Name | ITM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939/8283 | Gladys | Mead | Clifford Samuel | Butler | Order Product | |
| 1905/4244 | Linda Alberta | Palmer | Walter Samuel | Butler | Order Product |
Intention to Marry
|
| 1903/609 | Alice Mary | Woodhead | Frederick Samuel | Butler | Order Product |
Intention to Marry
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The Treasury (Coromandel-Hauraki)
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://thetreasury.catalogaccess.com/api/search/advanced
Retrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 2.3 seconds
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New Zealand Gazette Index
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://gazette.howison.co.nz/search?name=Samuel+Butler
Retrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 1.766 seconds
Transcribed and indexed with AI tools; verify important info with the original PDF sources (linked)
Source: 1840-2017 New Zealand Gazette (and related periodicals) indexed from various public sources, including VUW, NZLII, gazette.govt.nz, WCC Libraries and Papers Past. Usage/copyright varies: Public domain / Crown copyright / fair use / CC-BY 3.0 NZ
52 results for Samuel Butler
Full name matches (25)
Initial matches (27)
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Masterton Library Wairarapa Archive
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 2.619 seconds
No results found.
Whakatere Heritage Collections (Ashburton)
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://whakatereheritage.catalogaccess.com/api/search/advanced
Retrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 4.251 seconds
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BillionGraves (NZ cemeteries)
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://billiongraves.com/api/1.3/search
Retrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 4.095 seconds
Source: BillionGraves / limited search result excerpts for non-commercial personal research
| Name | Born | Died | Cemetery | Region |
| Samuel Butler | 1846 🔍 | 1930 🔍 | Bromley Cemetery | Canterbury |
| Samuel Arther Butler | 1955 🔍 | Canterbury Memorial Gardens & Crematorium | Canterbury |
Archives Central (Manawatū-Whanganui)
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://archivescentral.org.nz/search?keys=%22Samuel+Butler%22&sort_by=search_api_relevance&sort_order=DESC
Retrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 4.54 seconds
No results found.
Discover EverAfter (NZ Cemeteries)
Samuel Butler 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 12:52am, 5 June 2026 in 4.585 seconds
Discover EverAfter manages burial records for several cemeteries around New Zealand
Source: Copyright Plotbox Inc / limited search results excerpts for "personal, non-commercial use"
| Name | Date of Death | Age at Death | Cemetery | Plot Location | Section | Row | Plot No. | Funeral Type |
| SAMUEL BUTLER | 54 | Karori Crematorium and Chapels, Wellington Region | Cremation | |||||
| Frederick Samuel BUTLER | 10 Mar 1952 📰 | 77 | Te Henui Cemetery, Taranaki Region | Alpha Block/CY-W/24 | Alpha Block | CY-W | 24 | Burial |
| Samuel Joseph Patrick (Sam) BUTLER | 1 Mar 2018 | 45 | Awanui Cemetery, Taranaki Region | Block 21/PLOT/151 | Block 21 | PLOT | 151 | Burial |
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