It is the opinion founded on circumstances somewhat probable, and sustained by facts, that the neighbourhood of Trudoxhill was in past ages a kind of hiding place for persecuted Dissenters or Nonconformists,
Surrounded by woods, situated in a retired vale, with roads in bad condition and difficult to travel, it is supposed that the persecuted people of God here (occasionally at least) found a more quiet resting place than in the populous localities where hireling officials, and cruel men in power more generally abounded, - especially in the Days of the Stuarts.
In the year 1662 the Revd Henry BUTLER was ejected from Yeovil he being one of the Nonconformist Divines, relinquishing an income of nearly £1000 per annum, and after various fines and imprisonments in Ilchester Goal (??) the good man came to Witham Friary where he continued to Minister as best he could to a little Ch. of Nonconformists, sometimes in a place of worship or house and sometimes in the neighbouring woods of Sir Edwd Seymour of Maiden Bradley. Thus driven about by persecutions he continued to labour in God's cause...........

...It is possible that the numerous family of that name in the neighbourhood may be descendants.

The Revd Henry BUTLER - before mentioned, was a Native of KENT. - Born AD 1624 - Educated for the Ministry at Cambridge University, at 30 years of age or in 1654 he went to New England in America for the free exercise of Religion, and liberty of conscienc. After some years he returned and was a Minister at Dorchester near two year. From thence he wnt to Yeovil and was Vicar of that place - his income amounting from various sources to nearly £1000 per annum; by the Uniformity Act of 1662 he was ejected from his living - August 24th...................

.........he did much good amongst the people. His salary was only £20 per annum and at the highest only £25 - but no offers could tempt him to leave his people - in his latter days he was much afflicted - He died April 24th 1696 aged 72.

In the Register of Friary Church is found the burial of - Henry Butler - who died AD 1696. This was (as believed) the ancestor of the family of that name in the neighbourhood - and scarcely a doubt exists but it was the aforesaid Revd Henry BUTLER.