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Theron R. Biitleif* a % Walt Zaenker The following article appears at greater length with graphics and documentation on ^he history blog at pineknollhistory. blogspot. com. BJSTOBY STRBffl:! Reflections of Pine Knoll Shores Alice Green Hoffman, who is so much a part of the history of Pine Knoll Chores, is often described as an eccentric New York socialite, but her life was more complex than that. In 1920, at the age of 57, she controlled a real estate portfolio ^at included holdings in Paris, New York City, Connecticut and Carteret County. regularly dealt with the highest ranks of business and government players ‘Ji.'those locales. She never hesitated to call on her connections—and expected attention and results. Where did this wealth come from? How did these character ^*'aits take form, this attitude of entitlement? An understanding of the life and times of her grandfather, Theron R. Butler, and his influence helps explain her life. Sutler family history According to a Butler Family History, compiled and published in 1919 by Henry hangdon Butler, the first Butler of the line from which Theron R. Butler descended Sandwich, Kent, England, on the ship Hercules on June 9,1637. That hearty adventurous soul was one Nicholas Butler. The ship’s manifest identified 80 Passengers, including Nicholas; his wife, Joice; three children; and five servants. arrived in New England two months later and built a home on a land grant, ^holas received in Dorchester, Massachusetts. The family history sketches the story of the expanding Butler clan and eventually ^’Tives at the 10th generation, when Theron Rudd Butler, the youngest son of f-harles and Mary Thompson Butler, was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, on March 9, 1813. As a young man, he left New York and moved to Ohio, where, in ^^39, he married Mary Beach. Their daughter, also named Mary, was born on ^^cember 6,1840. Mary Butler married Albert W. Green of Ohio in 1860. This '**'ion produced three daughters: Alice Green (1862-1953), Grace Green (1865- ^^^8) and Mary Butler Green (1872-1947). Mrs. Mary Butler Green preferred living in New York City and resided with parents in their five-story home at 433 Fifth ^'^enue between 38th and 39th streets. Albert '^''een spent much of his time attending to '^siness in Ohio. He was part owner of the Green- Hce Department Store chain. Alice, along with her sisters, spent formative living in the Butler home on Fifth Avenue, ^Mg raised by Mr. and Mrs. Butler and her sister. Was especially so after Alice’s mother died M1872, after her daughter Mary’s birth. The U.S. ^^'^sus of 1880 shows Albert Green, his three ^^'ighters, Theron and Marie Butler and her sister ^®lena living at 433 Fifth Avenue along with three ^^’Yants. The record does not reveal when Theron Butler H|Wed from Ohio to New York, perhaps after Wife Mary Beach died in 1845 and after he *''^ried his second wife Marie E. Miller some later. However, it is clear that by the time Green sisters are born—under his roof—he Well established, an influential citizen and ^'^'•cessful businessman. s'#. Pen and ink drawing of Theron R. Butler.—Wew York Public Library, Prints Division, Digital Collection. From Photograph by Sarony. Gift of J.E. Whitley New York City, 1860-1890 During the second half of the 19th century, the Erie Canal, railroads, telegraph and telephone made New York City the trade and industrial hub of the United States. Half the populations of the city were immigrants filling the tenements of lower Manhattan and the shantytowns of midtown. This constant arrival of new immigrants provided the cheap labor needed for new industries and major construction projects taking place throughout the city— public and private buildings, railroads, water and sewer systems, subways and bridges. These conditions produced wealth and privilege for some while many faced low pay in dirty, dangerous work, crowded unsanitary living arrangements, limited opportunities, and the day-to-day struggle to pay rent or buy food. In this caldron the Butler-Green family thrived. Parenting The Green sisters received much of their parental nurturing from their Butler grandparents, who generously shared their home, wealth, social standing, and ideals. The Butlers were storybook doting grandparents. As early as the 1860s, Fifth Avenue was a developed thoroughfare as far north as 50th Street, with a mixed streetscape of residential, public, social and retail establishments. The Butler family carriages and horses were kept in a stable located a block east on 38th Street. When the girls were young, Mr. Butler also kept a dairy cow at the stable. One of the servants would milk the cow every morning and bring the milk to the Butler kitchen before breakfast. The prospect of fluency in a foreign language, particularly French, was considered in the selection process when hiring servants, to expose the girls on a regular basis to the lariguages of Europe. Music lessons, both singing and piano, were provided. Educational opportunities extended beyond the home. Primary (Continued on page 27) The Theron R. Butler family tree December 2016 I The Shoreline 25
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