Martin Butterfield

Martin Butterfield (December 8, 1790 – August 6, 1866) was a farmer, businessman, and public official from Palmyra, New York, most notable for his service as a United States Representative from 1859 to 1861. A member of the Republican Party during his term in Congress, he participated in the legislative process at a pivotal moment in American history, representing the interests of his New York constituents and contributing to national debates on the eve of the Civil War.

Butterfield was born in Westmoreland, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, on December 8, 1790. He attended local schools in his youth and was raised in a rural environment that oriented him toward agricultural pursuits. As a young man he became a farmer in nearby Walpole, New Hampshire, where he developed both practical experience in agriculture and an interest in agricultural improvement and organization.

While residing in Walpole, Butterfield became active in the Cheshire County Agricultural Society, reflecting his growing prominence in regional farming circles. He served the society as both librarian and secretary, positions that placed him at the center of efforts to disseminate agricultural knowledge and promote modern farming methods. This early involvement in organized agriculture foreshadowed his later leadership roles in similar institutions in New York and his eventual chairmanship of the Committee on Agriculture in Congress.

In 1828, Butterfield moved to Palmyra in Wayne County, New York, where he broadened his activities beyond farming into commerce and manufacturing. He engaged in the hardware business and operated a rope and cordage manufacturing enterprise, combining mercantile work with continued agricultural pursuits. In Palmyra he remained active in agricultural organizations, becoming a leading figure in the Union Agricultural Society and serving as its president. Through these roles he helped shape local agricultural policy and practice, reinforcing his reputation as an advocate for rural interests and economic development.

Butterfield was also active in religious and civic life. A committed member of the Episcopal Church, he served as a delegate to diocesan conventions and other church meetings, participating in the governance and affairs of his denomination. In 1843 he was among several residents of Palmyra who signed a public letter stating that they personally knew Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and asserting that in their view he was not trustworthy and that his claims of religious visions and revelations leading to the publication of the Book of Mormon should not be believed. This episode reflected both his standing in the community and his willingness to engage publicly on questions of religious credibility and social order.

Butterfield’s political career developed alongside his business and agricultural interests. Initially aligned with the Whig Party, he was chosen as a presidential elector on the Whig ticket in 1848. In that capacity he cast his electoral ballot for Zachary Taylor for president and Millard Fillmore for vice president, participating directly in the national electoral process. As the American party system realigned in the 1850s, he affiliated with the newly formed Republican Party, which drew many former Whigs into its ranks.

In 1858, Butterfield was elected to the United States House of Representatives as a Republican from New York. He served a single term in the 36th Congress, from March 4, 1859, to March 3, 1861. During this period, which immediately preceded the outbreak of the Civil War, he took part in the deliberations of a deeply divided Congress. Reflecting his longstanding engagement with agricultural affairs, he served as chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, where he was positioned to influence federal policy affecting farmers, agricultural improvement, and rural economies. His tenure contributed to the broader legislative efforts of the Republican Party as it emerged as a dominant force in national politics.

Butterfield declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1860 and returned to private life at the close of his term. He resumed his former business and agricultural pursuits in Palmyra, continuing the commercial, manufacturing, and farming activities that had defined much of his adult life. He remained a respected figure in his community until his death in Palmyra on August 6, 1866. Martin Butterfield was interred in Palmyra Cemetery, leaving a legacy as a farmer, businessman, churchman, and legislator who represented New York in Congress during a critical juncture in the nation’s history.