Some Interesting History - Congregational church

 

The James Pratt house, which for almost 70 years had sported a historic marker, is no longer there..  The house located on today's Route 26 once sat on the hill next to the Great Skaneateles Turnpike... on lands once owned by Joseph Morse. 

Morse was considered by many to be the father of Eaton because of his expansive business empire.  Its builder, Dr. James Pratt, came from Massachusetts in the early1800’s and became the first physician in the Town of Eaton and the town’s first teacher, moving to teach in the early days in rotation to three different sites within the town.

 

The house which had fallen into disrepair over the years was called a two story home, but in the early 1800’s when built, it was described by noted artist Carlton Rice as a white one-story building.  Rice would come to Eaton with Pratt’s cousins to visit his Rice relatives who also lived in Eaton.

 

 The Dr. once owned interest in the Eaton Woolen Mill with Joseph Morse and others marrying Laurency Eaton, the daughter of James Eaton one of Eaton’s first settlers.  (*Please note Eaton was not named for James but for Gen. William Eaton of Tripoli fame.)

 After his first wife’s death Dr. Pratt took Joseph Morse’s daughter Eunice as his wife, in one of the most notable wedding ceremonies ever held in the village.  The wedding took place on the first of June, of 1814, at the Morse’s new Stone house in the Village of Eaton. (Also marked by and historic marker) and among its guests were some of the notables of Madison County’s history including Col. Lincklean, Col. Angel DeFerrier and his wife Polly, Peter Smith and his sons Gerrit (the abolionist) and Peter Skenandoah Smith, Joshua Leland’s widow Waitstill and an entourage of Native Americans, the Stowes, the Cramphins and many others, basically anyone who was anybody.  The couple were married by the Rev. Jonas Thompson.

 

     Eunice Morse had come to the then wilderness of which became Madison County, with her father, the son of Capt. Joseph Morse and mother Eunice, who was of the famous Bigelow family of Natick, immortalized in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Old Town Folks.  Young Eunice attended school under Dr. James Pratt, and was exceedingly friendly with the Indian children of the area, often inviting them in to warm by the fire. (The Morse family always left the “latch spring” open for their native friends.)  

After her father’s death, Ellis, a brother who also came with them, would take the businesses of Eaton over from his father and his brother Joseph Morse Jr.   Joseph Sr. upon his death had bequeathed Eunice $600 to be paid by Joseph Jr. in 3 years from his death, and a lot.  Eunice continued her education going on to graduate from Clinton Academy in 1810 – the last graduating class before it became Hamilton College.

 

The family was on a move to Palmyra, MO. Where a son James by his first wife found prosperity and died, his grave has never been found.  Eunice moved west, some believe perhaps in hopes of finding him.  She never did.  Dr. Pratt and Eunice’s children and Dr. Pratt’s grown children from his first wife settled near Knox, where Eunice lived until her death.  She was considered by all a remarkable woman for her time, she had served the earliest period of our county’s history.

 

An interesting side note is that Dr. Pratt’s will created quite a storm when he left money to fight an ongoing lawsuit with the Congregational Church he was such a part of.  During this period Charles Grandison Finney, the Evangelist of Oberlin fame, had favored the congregation standing to sing and sitting to pray.  Dr. Pratt believed this wrong and spent much of his fortune fighting this practice.  He sued the church. 

The church that, ironically, that was in the community where  Charles G. Finney lived as a boy.  Finney  lived in early Eaton Village, then Log City, with his aunt and uncle the Cyrus Finneys.  This house today has a historic marker on the corner of route 26  and English Avenue. Cyrus Finney's wife's father was a preacher who lived with them....Rev.Heminway!

Charles Grandson Finney as a preacher introduced anxious seats he used in his conversions.

Please help us put on a special 250th Anniversary Parade.! Contact any one of our group... Jen Calois, Michele Kelly, Barbara Keough, Sharry Woodcock or me..you can email me at backstreetmary@yahoo.com. or go to

https://gofund.me/6318335

Women's Month brings Memories of Eaton's Famous Women..(.some of whom are buried in the Eaton Cemetery!)

This week I have been reviewing the book I did for the Eaton Village Cemetery as a “fund Raiser” I had the opportunity to think about a great number of women who survived the arduous journeys from other Northeastern areas to Eaton in the times of settlement.  Women, who bore children, took care of the family and worked side by side with their husbands clearing land and starting a new life.

Certainly among the most famous is Eunice Bigelow Morse of the famous Stowe-Bigelow -Morse families of Natick, Massachusetts.  Eunice came with her husband Joseph, and young children to a place that would become not only home to her but to generations of her family.

A relative Harriet Beecher Stowe in a book titled “Old Town Folks”, forever immortalized Eunice’s family.  Many believed the story was written by Harriet's husband Calvin Ellis Stowe for his family… the Stowe’s… However, when Harriet married Callvin she married into the same family as her grandmother. * It is interesting to note that the Eaton Museum has the first edition of Hearth & Home with the first installment of that book inside…a newspaper kept untouched by Eunice Morse.  

The museum also has Eunice’s rocker and the cradle she used for what became the famous Morse brood.  The Natick crowd (Old Town Folks) also included other Morses…crab (Hezekiah Morse”, Grandpa Stowe of Eaton’s Stow Tavern…. and many more.

From Luna Hammond’s History in part:    

 Joseph (Eunice)  removed to Eaton in 1796 from Natick… Joseph Morse was the founder of Eaton village, and his sons have been identified with nearly all of its business interests. These sons were named as follows: Ellis,  whose biographical sketch appears in the chapter relating to Eaton, Joseph, who moved to Pennsylvania served in the Legislature of that State, and also became judge of the County Courts; Calvin, who was an elected member of the Legislature from Madison County in 1842, and has held municipal offices in town and county; Alpheus, who has been a merchant and scientific farmer, and for many years past, manufacturer, being proprietor of the Alderbrook Woolen Mill; and Bigelow, who was a respected citizen of Fabius, Onondaga County. Eunice, the eldest daughter of Joseph More, married Dr. James Pratt the pioneer physician of Eaton.   After her husband's death, she with her family removed and began pioneer life again in Palmyra, Mo.  She was a woman of indomitable will and great energy of character.

     The descendants of Joseph (and Eunice) Morse have, many of them, distinguished themselves in various positions. Gen. Henry B. Morse entered the late war as Captain of the 114th Reg. N. Y. V., was promoted to the office of Colonel, and subsequently, for meritorious services, was breveted Brigadier-General in the army of the southwest. He is grandson of Joseph Morse; as also is the Rev. Andrew Morse, who as a young man was a missionary to Siam and then become the Chaplain of the U S Treasury and friends with Abraham Lincoln,. Gardner Morse, who was member of the Legislature in 1866, Walter, a member of the manufacturing firm of Wood, Tabor & Morse, George E., a prominent citizen interested in the schools and who founded the Eaton Village Cemetery Association, and Alfred, who bravely gave his life for the Union cause at the battle of Winchester,Va. ; all these being sons of Ellis Morse. Darwin and Frank B. Morse, merchants at Eaton village, Allie Morse Burchard whose husband formed the Chenango Breeder’s Association, Children of Bigelow, are grandsons of Joseph Morse. Two grand-daughters, Belinda and Eliza, daughters of Calvin, have been conspicuous as teachers, the latter being now assistant Principal of Vassar Female College.

     Hezekiah Morse, the third of the pioneer brothers, came to Eaton in 1806. His children are scattered and many of them dead.   One of his sons. Alpha was for many years a prominent manufacturer of Eaton.  Another son, Elijah, who is now dead, was a wealthy farmer of Eaton. A grand-daughter is wife of  Rev. John Raymond, President of Vassar Female College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Albert H. Morse, a prominent citizen of Eaton is also a grandson, being son of Elijah. H. B. Morse, youngest son of Hezekiah, is a scientific and successful farmer of Norwich, N. Y. (and this is just and excerpt) 

What a family… and that isn’t all of them and their accomplishments.  The very road today’s Eaton Village Cemetery is located on (Landon Road) was once the Great Skaneateles Turnpike a road that it is claimed would not have been built except for Joseph and Ellis who controlled 51 percent of the stock investment… an investment they made of $30,000 in 1810… think about it.

Come out to Eaton Day on Memorial, Day Monday… tour the cemetery…by a book, make a donation to support the Eaton Village Cemetery Association and help Eaton celebrate History and  “Happy Mother’s Day” to all of those pioneer women whose husbands and children made our area a wonderful piece of rural Americana! 

*Interestingly Luna Hammond the historian and her famous mother Deidamia Button Chase (the first female physician of Madison County) and her famous brood are also buried in the cemetery. Almost all of the Morse family is buried in the Eaton Cemetery including the Morse – Motts. Did you know that Luna's brother Julius was the historian for the US Treasury in Washington DC.

All the history Eaton has cannot be covered at the Eaton Museum... but we can try!! So please help us put on a meaningful day on Memorial Day Monday and Donate! 

Go to Go Fund Me and  type support Eaton's 250th Memorial Day Parade! or mail a donation to Friends of the Old Town of Eaton Museum c/o 5823 Brooklyn Street, Eaton, NY 13334 ...we are a 501 3c

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-eatons-250th-memorial-day-parade/cl/o?utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp17_ta-amp20_t1&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&lang=en_US&attribution_id=sl%3A3cc19dad-87e8-446e-838d-b2bcddcc37d4&ts=1774611546div class="gfm-embed" data-url="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-eatons-250th-

Help Us Celebrate 250 Years on Memorial Day!

The Old Town Museum has gotten its new windows...they are part of the sprucing up to get ready for the up coming 250th Celebration of American Freedom!  The Museum and community will be celebrating on Memorial Day Monday, May 25th , as usual with a parade and community activities!@

Eaton was formed out of the Revolutionary War (War of Rebellion) by Revolutionary Soldiers who settled it when the land became open after the Treaty at Oriskany.  This allowed land to be sold in parcels legally, though the area around our museum, was visited and inhabited in 1788.  A marker for that rests just down the road marking "The Bark Hut".

George Washington's Adj. Col. William Smith, whose wife was President Adams daughter, purchased this land. Smith had sent someone to scout it out, his scout lived with travelers, trappers, and Indians in the Bark Hut. Smith and a number of his family members bought parcels here in Eaton and today's Lebanon, and hence today this area is call "Smith's Valley"! 

A huge parcel that became a good part of Eaton was sold to men like Jonathan Bates, Benjamen Morse and many more. Eaton was bought by Col. Joshua Leland who came to the land with the Morse boys...and many Revolutionary Veterans and Militia men who served at Breed's Hill (Bunker Hill) and were present at the Concord Bridge the day..."the shot was heard around th World".

So lets come out and honor all the veterans buried in the Eaton Cemetery as well as all those who have who given their life from all the Wars, Past and Present!

Let us also as a community take the time to remember the past... a time when small communities gathered together to support each other, and to partake for one day of remembrance of the freedom that we all enjoy today!

If you would like to participate, you can email me at backstreetmary@yahoo.com or talk to one of our organizers... here is our letter request!

Greetings Friends,

Now that the days are getting longer and warmer the 2026 organizers of the local Memorial Day Parade, scheduled for Monday May 25th in Eaton, cordially invite you and your group to participate.

America is celebrating it’s 250th anniversary and after this past cold and challenging winter our goal is to bring the community together for a pleasant gathering.

Organizations of all ages, sizes and purpose are encouraged to join in the fun.  Unfortunately  due to insurance rules we cannot have horses in the parade.  

Some of the details are still being worked out but the parade will begin at 10am with staging and line up on Brooklyn Street starting at 9am.  Following the parade there will be a short ceremony at the cemetery.

Cash prizes will be awarded in the following three categories:

-Best hometown feel

-Most upbeat vibe

-Most co-ordinated group

Prizes will be announced  and handed out after brief remarks near the post office after the cemetery ceremony.  The Eaton Museum will be open for visitation.

Needed are entries of floats, marchers, and an assortment of vehicles (ie emergency, tractors, classic, ultra modern and anything in between).

Spend some time following the parade route, then visit with friends and neighbors for a while.

Contact Jen Caloia soon via phone, message, or text at 315-956-5551 to sign up.  Kindly respond by May 1st  for planning purposes.

Thanks for supporting this initiative.  Your parade organizers for 2026 are Back Street Mary, Michele Kelly, Sharry Woodcock, and Jen Caloia.

 

A Holiday Blog with a Message....

Once again on the week of Christmas I find myself lost amid old memories, problems of the present... and the difficulties of living in this (at the very moment) place in history where in seconds news is flashed, reflashed, dissected and rehashed within the blink of an eye. 

So.. I decided to try and go back to a much nicer time, a time when life was simple and the holidays were something to look forward to...times to remember in your heart with joy!  Here is a repost from past years...but some things to think about.   I question...are we living in better times with better leaders???

I painted the above picture for a Christmas card in 1995 and wrote the poem to go with it.  The story came from discussions with the old members of our little community group who shared their remembrances of "Christmas Past".

They are all dead now... but like on old clock I have turned my mind back to that year and leave the poem to you as my Christmas blog and my hope for a quiet and warmer future built on love...not hate....on families....not presents and shopping...and on love for your neighbor!

Going to Grandma’s for Christmas

Going to grandma’s for Christmas,

A very special day.

Through the city, past the suburbs,

Out the country way;

Past the now frozen pond,

Where children skate and sled;

While moms and dads look on.

As we approach the old farm house’

With barns in red and white;

I feel a glow of warmth,

In just picturing the sight,

The front door swinging open;

As waves and cheers abound.

It seems a million years ago,

Last Christmas came around.

The tree in its shining hour;

Standing in the hall,

So it might stretch to its fullest height,

And run from floor to floor.

Grandma’s fresh baked cookies,

Cooling by the stove;

And gingerbread decorated,

With swirls, and dots, and love.

The goose stuffed and waiting;

Cranberries and popcorn strung;

The neighbors gathering at the door,

Singing carols just for fun.

After all the presents,

Are unwrapped and tucked away;

I slip upstairs to Grandma’s room, 

To kneel with her and pray.

Then curled up in a feather bed,

So snug and fluffy warm;

I feel at ease with all the world;

And safe from any harm.

No matter how many years come and pass away,

Grandma and the country,

Will be the heart of my Christmas Day!

Please Help your Animals and the Community! Cats, cats cats!

This year has been unbelievable here in our area.  Winter's on and off cold and deep snow which caused a number of building fires that have consumed a number of our locally historic buildings such as the The Old Union School on Brooklyn Street, the home of John Rockwell on Eaton Road, and  the former Cramphin House on Landon Road and new fire on Rt. 26.

This December has been horrible....THE COLD HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR EVERYONE INCLUDING THE ANIMALS. I have been struggling to get everything together for my house, the museum, and now our poor unfortunate animals.  

As usual the cat population has grown because many strays have been dumped or acquired and not fixed. People move or dump them when they are not fixed because they have kittens and are producing so many  offspring.  The food situation including mice, birds and other creatures is down because of the winter, spring flooding, summer heat, birds of pre and chemicals in the, water and so this situation is worse for even feral cat,,,,this story plays on and on until we can gain control of the cat population.

We have received many phone calls from people because of our little not for profit...but we are unable to help... we do not get funding that can cover the outrageous over $200 to $300 it costs  to fix one cat.  If you contact SANS Syracuse https://www.spayandneutersyracuse.com/ which is $85 male $115 female...you can make an appointment and take the cat there in the morning for less... but must pick it up by 4pm.  We did fix all the budget allowed of needy cases in the Eaton area, but that funding comes in as $25 donations for the most part, we did not reach our Go Fund Me goal, and we still have a few aninals on line for spring and  need funds.

Our website at  https://4communitycats.org/ can give you information on health, cat stories, Vet information, and more... so visit it...enjoy the stories that I have written and help our small not for profit group raise some funds to neuter & spay more cats.  Last year with donations and our Cat Gift Shop we raised money for this purpose, but now we have depleted this fund and need to fill this account in. We will be having a bake sale in the Spring.  Please share this information. 

Until you have picked up a starving to death animal that was somebodies pet "throw away" or an innocent kitten and have it die in your hand, you cannot believe the pain that is felt.

In this cold keep your cats or dogs or whatever in a place where they are protected from the cold.... feed them if you can, but don't ignore a situation that can be changed and helped for the future! If you get an animal have it neutered or spayed, by doing this you are helping your community get control of this heart wrenching situation and will be lessening the multitude of strays and feral cats.  You can write to our Representatives to ask for local help with funds to neuter or spay.  You can adopt a pet in trouble...you will be blessed for caring! 

You send a check to 4CommunityCats Inc at

c/o M E Messere 5823 Brooklyn Street, Eaton NY 13334

we are a 5013C CHARITY DONATION!

The Day After....the Revolution our Settlements Began!

Jim Monahan and his reenactors!

There are so many Revolutionary War veterans including Col. Joshua Leland who served under George Washington and purchased a large land tract that became Eaton, to the man he purchased it from…  Col. William Smith, and his wife Abigail Adams Smith (daughter of President Adams).  Smith himself having been the adjutant to George Washington, and who settled the area still called Smith’s Valley today.

The Morse Boys and their father Captain Joseph Morse and his men made up of White, Black and Praying Indian who were at Lexington and Concord and Bunker (Breeds( Hill. Men who came here to start a new life in Freedom without rule of crazy King George.

Other notables include Major Sinclair who purchased the land owned by Col Leland, now with a historical marker for the Dunbar Farm.  Sinclair kept a tavern and stable on that property for travelers.

Jonathan Bates who came to Eaton and purchase land just below the Old Town of Eaton Museum, his grave on the side of the road is marked today with a large bronze plaque on a boulder.  Bates had served with the well known Patriot Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys.

Benjamin Morse brother of Joseph Morse, Major Elisha Haden, Nicholas Byer who had been a member of Burgoyne’s Hessians, Simeon Chubbuck, grandfather of Emily Chubbuck and Myles Standish! yes Myles Standish.

Mr. Standish was a direct lineal descendant of his illustrious namesake, Captain Miles Standish of the Mayflower, one of the most distinguished of the colonists who landed upon Plymouth Rock in 1620. 

Captain Standish had been hired as the military protection for the early colony, and in true military fashion Miles Jr. was a soldier as well.

Corporal Myles Standish was born in 1748 at Duxbury, Plymouth County Massachusetts, moving to Eaton where he died on July 22, 1818 at the age of 70.

Myles Standish, Naomi Standish, and Daniel Standish were members of the Second Baptist Church of Eaton, and appear in the US Census of Eaton, Madison County.

Myles, was always called Myles by all who knew him, and took up the farm once owned by Adin Brown near Pierceville, living there for many years. Standish was an energetic businessman who invested in the Skaneateles Turnpike, and he built and kept the first old turnpike gate, which stood in the early years opposite the famous Alderbrook gristmill.  It is so interesting to see both national and local history meld seamlessly together this way.

Even more amazing is that today people will be marching on our modern No Kings Day!  Our fore bearers  fought for freedom from military rule....yes read about the era before the Revolution... a good book on the day the fist shots were fired at the "Bridge" on April 19, in 1775 is "The Day The American Revolution Began" by William Hallahan...then realize Eaton's forefathers who lived here in some cases, were at the bridge.

I wonder what they think laying in their graves overlooking the Town they founded to get away from the military craziness of King George and his Taxes "Tariffs on Coffee and Tea and spices!"

A Special 28th Fall Festival History Weekend

Remember.... this weekend is Fall Festival History Weekend and our special event for History Day.  Sunday, Oct. 19th... the Old Town of Eaton Museum will be open from 1 to 3pm  followed by a lecture at the old Auction Barn on Rt. 26 at 3:30 pm.

 The lecture will be on the historic Eaton Cemetery and will offer a virtual tour of its history!  

Please realize that the history of all our small areas and cities is contained in the final resting place of it former inhabitants who have now passed!  Eaton's Historic Eaton Cemetery is no exception and really has some wonderful stories to tell.  I love to give the tour because some of the stories are so entertaining and some so sad!

From the "Mean Men Stories" of Melville Landon, to the Revolutionary War stories of Veterans from Eaton who served like Miles Standish lll, and the remarkable founding families of Morse and Leland. You will  learn about their connections to the Battle of Bunker Hill, connections to the Mormon history that flows down the hill from the Bonney Farm.  Did you know that John Brown and his men rode through Eaton where his niece lived.

The history in our EatonCemetery includes many of the founders of the Eaton Museum as well as some of its most remembered citizens...so mark it on your calendar and come to the Auction Barn next to the Eaton Post Office, I guarantee you will enjoy a special Sunday afternoon with Backstreet Mary and the museum gang!!

Refreshments will be served!