James Eaton (1733 - 1814)

Born 1733 in Ireland

Husband of Elizabeth (Downey) Eaton — married 1777 in Harford County, Maryland

Descendants

Died 31 Mar 1814 at about age 81 in Bentleyville, Washington County, Pennsylvania

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Biography

James Eaton was born about 1733 in Ireland. He died in 1814 and was buried in West's church yard, in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The inscription on his tombstone reads" Native of Ireland".^[1]

Who are James Eaton's parents?

James is often attributed to John and Judith Hale Eaton; however, there is no source material to support that contention. On the contrary, evidence points to the negative -- John and Judith, both natives of Massachusetts, married in 1741, and had their first child in 1742.^[2]. James was born in 1733.

According to an Eaton history, James was born in Ireland, the son of John Eaton of Ireland. That John left Ireland to move to Chester County, Pennsylvania. He had three children: James who married Elizabeth Downey, Hugh, and Mary. (James named a son Hugh; note that John of Massachusetts did not have any children named Hugh.) If the rather elaborate tale of James' life is true as presented in the Eaton genealogy, James traveled widely through Europe as a "gentleman's waiter' in the service of one Lord Cople. He married in England, to a Miss Croft, and had a son. Upon returning to Ireland, he found that his father had moved to America. He and his brother, Hugh, followed; James left behind his wife, who died in his absence. James settled in Maryland, where he married Elizabeth Downey, his second wife. They subsequently lived in Pennsylvania.^[3]

The closet possible marriage record for James' first marriage is the banns for a marriage between James Eaton and Elizabeth Curtice were published on 17 July 1768 in Wells, Somerset, England.^[4]

Will

James Eaton passed away in 1814. In his will dated March 20, 1814, James Easton of Washington County, Pennsylvania, named the following:^[5]

• Elizabeth Eaton, wife
• Nancy, deceased daughter
• Sary Ward, daughter
• Elizabeth Ward, daughter
• Rebecca W. Grant (?)
• John, son
• Hugh, son
• James, son
• James Ward, son-in-law

Sources

1. ↑ Newspaper Article: "West's Church"Monongahela Valley Republican Monongahela, Pennsylvania · Thursday, August 24, 1882
2. ↑ Birth: "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001"
   citing Digital film/folder number: 007009726_002_M99N-G6G; Image number: 56
   FamilySearch Record: QG1K-LDPJ (accessed 5 April 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-9979-7Y1L
   John Eaton born on 12 Jan 1742 in Massachusetts Bay Colony.
3. ↑ History : Genealogical and biographical of the Eaton Families;North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000; viewed at https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1332673:61157?ssrc=pt&tid=190411365&pid=192482288935
4. ↑ Marriage: "England, Somerset, Church Records, 1501-1999"
   citing Page: 26; Affiliate Name: Somerset Archives; Digital film/folder number: 007909112; Record number: 000409440_1
   FamilySearch Record: 6DM8-NGN1 (accessed 5 April 2024)
   James Eaton marriage to Elizabeth Curtice on 17 Jul 1768 in Wells, Somerset, England.
5. ↑ Probate: "Pennsylvania, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993"
   Will Books, 1781-1872; Index to Wills, 1781-1935; Author: Washington County (Pennsylvania). Register of Wills
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8802 #3721308 (accessed 5 April 2024)
   Elizabeth Eaton probate in 1781-1814.

• North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000

History : Genealogical and biographical of the Eaton Families