William Butler of Silk Hope Plantation
William Butler (1715-1761), the son of Joseph Butler,
was the tax collector and surveyor of highways. He established Silk Hope
Plantation in 1755, on the Little Ogeechee River, which consisted of 3,673 acres of land. He made a fortunate marriage to Elizabeth Elliott in 1738, however, the
marriage contract designated that all of the possessions which she was due from the estate of her
late father were to be held in trust for her, without any control of her intended husband, William Butler.
He predeceased his father and his grave is believed to be the oldest one in Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah.
In 1761 James Habersham acquired Silk Hope plantation and in 1801 it was purchased by Young Harden for the estate of Major Harden.
Map of Long Island
