Person:James Eaton (10)

James E. was the oldest of eight children of Samuel and Hannah Eaton.

British records list James Edward Eaton as being christened February 10, 1828 in Heathfield, Sussex, England. [Heathfield is located about 40 miles southeast of central London in today's county of East Sussex] A James Eaton is listed on the 1841 England Census in Sussex County; born abt 1827.

Presently we have little information on James Edwards ancestors and history; however, in the 1830's England was experiencing an agricultural depression. This was particularly true of those farmers and labourers who had lived in counties that had been hardest hit by the agricultural depression such as Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Dorset, Cornwall, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Cheshire and Cumberland. It is further assumed that he emigrated from Liverpool.

Arrived in the USA from England prior to the 1850 USA Census. In that census he was listed as a laborer.

In 1851 he bought the land (24.23 acres) where the home stood, from the Earl of Craven. On July 7, 1866, a warranty deed was given showing that it was paid in full. (The property is on the east side of Furnace Rd,, Ontario, between Trimble and Kenyon Roads).

Enlisted into the Civil War Mar 16 1865, at Auburn New York (24th District) as a private. Mustered into Co. I, New York 65th Infantry. Because it was late in the war he did not see much action; however he was serving in Grant's army when Lee surrendered at Appomatox Court House, Virginia. Honorably discharged July 17, 1865, at Hall's Hill, Virginia, after serving four months, because it was the end of the War. On his muster and Descriptive Roll of Detachment paper it indicates that he was a substitute for a drafted man. It should be noted here that the 65th NY Infantry was not a local Regiment; but a New York City outfit. Those drafted at this time were used to backfill depleted units of the war.

From the Military History of Wayne County, a more detailed account of his service is recorded. "The men of Sodus and Ontario were required to report to Auburn, March 27, 1865. On the 4th of April they obtained their uniform. For a few days the men were under drill; varying their time between drilling and playing ball. It was already the 14th of April before they were sent southward. They went from Auburn to Elmira, April 6th, and were quartered in Ward 18, Barracks #1. They were duly mustered in on the 10th, and drew the bounty due them on the 11th. Saturday, April 15th they reached Jersey City, crossed to the Battery barracks, New York, and from thence to Governors Island. Sunday and Monday the had an opportunity to wander all over the Island and examine the forts, cannon, pontoons, and all the enginery of war. At dusk, Monday evening, they sailed for City Point, VA. Tuesday they were on the ocean, and Wednesday morning reached Fortress Monroe. They sailed up the James River and came to City Point about 4:00 PM. The next day they landed, took the [railroad] cars at 7:00 AM for Burkesville, passing Petersburgh and having a chance to see the entrenchment and the dismantled fortifications. On Friday, the 21st, they reached Burkesville; went to the camp on a hill in the rear of the village. There they were enrolled as members of the 65th Regiment, Company I, Second Brigade, First Division, Sixth Corps. The now started upon a march of six days at the rate of 25 to 30 miles a day. It was a weary affair to men unused to the hardships of war; with blistered feet and aching limbs, they reached Dansville April 27. They stayed there until May 2nd, when they took the cars and were transported to Burke Junction. May 4th they encamped in Notaway County. Here they stayed until the 17th, engaged in drills, in dress parades, in a little foraging, etc. On the 18th the regiment moved northward, passed through Richmond on the 24th, Fredricksburgh on the 30th, Fairfax Court House June 1, and went into camp near Washington on the 2nd. The regiment shared in the Grand Review in Washington-a fearful hot day, when many soldiers were sun struck. The regiment remained in camp until July 17th, when they were mustered out of the United States service. On the afternoon of the 19th the 65th picked up and went into Washington where they were cared for at the Soldiers' Rest. The 20th they reached Philadelphia, the 21st New York, and on the 22nd encamped on Hart's Island. They signed their last pay-rolls on the 29th, and the Wayne County men reached Newark July 30th." This is an accounting of Justus H. Pulver in a diary kept by him during his brief war experience.

In a directory of Ontario, NY in 1867, he is listed as a farmer and owning 47 acres of land.

Ships checked for imigration; Anglo American, 4/3/1848; Barque Hope, 4/5/1848; London, 6/30 1848; Barque Ellen, 6/30/1848; London, 7/14/1848; Barque Lulan 9/18/1848; Bark Jason, 10/17/1848;

1. ↑ Flora Belle Lake nee Eaton. Family Data Collection.
2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Cemetery Record.