The Historic Eaton Cemetery has an unbelievable wealth of history
attached to it from its early roots 200 years ago, as it is located on the Old Indian
Trail that brought settlers west from Albany and south from Bainbridge. That path then became the Skaneateles-Hamilton Turnpike. It once
had the early Eaton school house on its grounds right where the flag pole sits
today. Luminaries like Ellis Morse and
the Evangelist Charles Grandison Finney went to school in this little log
building. (I have the early handwritten
schoolbook in the Eaton Museum).
The cemetery is also the resting place of many of the men
who fought in every war starting with the American Revolution, those marked
with flags every Memorial Day. We even
have some woman veterans buried here - two of which will be honored this year.
The old white stones shinning in the sun also reveal the
names of some of the earliest settlers including Chad Brown whose family
started Brown University, Miles Standish III who was the direct
descendant (third in line) from that famous Puritan Miles Standish. Also Mrs. Deiadamia Button Chase and her
brood of historians (Luna Hammond and Julius Hammond) and seven . MD’s…yes.. seven... of course she was the first
female Doctor in Madison county.
Just so many names… so much history. I love the special stones… one woman has
marked on the back of her stone her oft quoted phrase… “I am not perfect. But I am
consistently adequate!” Another is so
sad... it reads… “How many hopes lie buried here?”
I have just put together a book on the cemetery for the anniversary of the incorporation of the Eaton Village Cemetery
Association. They are going to sell it
as a fundraiser at our Eaton Day Event… I hope you will join us for this special day, will visit the cemetery, and take the free self-guided tour. I am confident that you will
feel the history at your feet!
Mary, just by reading this one can feel the love you have for what you are doing. And every time you write an article like this, you spread that love.
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