Rev. Clement M. Butler, Rector of St. John's Church, Georgetown, Washington, D.C.. Butler preached the funeral sermon for the victims of the explosion on the U.S.S. Princeton. Among the victims were Abel P. Upshur and Thomas Walker Gilmer. Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki:
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Clement M. Butler Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Letters written to the Rev. Clement M. Butler, Rector of St. John's Church, Georgetown, Washington, D.C., relating to the deaths and funeral obsequies of victims of the explosion on board the "U.S.S. Princeton" on February 28, 1844. The "Princeton" was the first screw-steam warship in the United States Navy. The 1844 accident occurred on board when a defective gun burst during a shooting demonstration, killing Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur, Secretary of the Navy Thomas Gilmer and others.
[29 February 1844]. M.E. Van Ness to [the Rev. Clement M. Butler]. Has been requested by Mrs. Gen. Henderson to beg you to call on Mrs. [Elizabeth (Upshur)] Upshur, "The fearful casualty of yesterday has of course shattered her terribly..." 1 March 1844. Rich[ard] Coxe [n.p.] to Rev. [Clement M.] Butler, Georgetown, D.C. On behalf of the committee appointed to oversee the funeral, invites him to perform the last sacred rites over the victims of the explosion at the President's Mansion; committee would like the Rev. Dr. Laurie of the Presbyterian Church to participate also. 4 March 1844. Richard Coxe, Washington, D.C. to Rev. C. M. Butler. On behalf of the committee, thanks him for delivering the discourse on Saturday and requests a copy of the address for publication. 6 March [18]44. Septimus Tuston, Chaplain of the U.S. Senate, to Rev. Mr. Butler, Rector of St. John's Church, George Town, D.C. Forwards letter from brother of Thomas W. Gilmer; hopes he will furnish for publication the remarks made at the funeral; Gilmer was a communicant of his church and was "eminently catholic in his own and feelings toward other Evangelical Denominations." 13 April 1844. Secretary of the Treasury. J[ohn] C. Spencer, Washington [D.C] to Rev. Clement M. Butler. Thanks him for the copy of his remarks at the funeral of Messrs. Upshur, Gilmer, Kennon, and Gardner; praises his address; sorry that he will be going to a church in Boston.