Dr. James Pratt - Eaton's First Physician & Teacher

In 1797 Eaton’s first teacher and physician made his way to Eaton.  At that time Eaton was no more than a “log city” with promise for the future.  Dr. James Pratt and three brothers settled in Eaton and Dr. Pratt, though eminently qualified to teach at a college level, commenced to teach school for the settlers’ children.

The schooling would take place at the homes of different prominent men in the area, with the students boarding at that house while school was in session.  The first month it was at Joseph Morse’s house (the first Morse house at the foot of what is now Hamilton Hill Road), the next at the home of Joshua and Waitstill Leland at Leland’s second house at the pond, and the third at the Thomas Morris residence in Morris Flats (which become Morrisville).

James Pratt was a member of the Madison County Medical Society and in 1806 was its’ Treasurer.  In 1808 he became the Justice of the Peace and was an early member of the Congregational Church.  This church, established in 1805, was located in Eaton Center Which no longer exists.

One of the young Morse students he taught was later to become his much younger wife.  Eunice it is said, took a long time to transform herself in the Doctor’s eyes, from student to wife.  Theirs was the first marriage in the new Stone Morse Mansion and they resided in the red house on Route 26 which,  was noted by a New York State Historic marker, both house and the marker have disappeared from history.

     It is believed that Dr. Pratt was killed by robbers while traveling with a large amount of money and word of his death took much time in arriving because he was traveling in disguise, as many wealthy people did in those days, to prevent such an occurrence.

     Humorously, in reading certain historic records it is important to make sure that you are reading about the right person.  This is true in the early Eaton record books as in Eaton at the same time, 1807, there was indeed another James Pratt.  James Pratt was a tavern keeper in the village from 1805-1807.  This James Pratt was a Juror in 1828, and was a member of the Anti-Mason delegation in 1829. Since we know that this James Pratt died in 1836, at the age of 68 and is buried at Madison Lake, we feel that we are right in assuming that Dr. James Pratt was the man killed by thieves, especially with Eunice’s letter to her family from the west saying, “…that it is true about my poor husband.”

     Dr. Pratt’s three brothers, one of whom he taught and who traveled with him during the school year, were all Physicians.

Revolutionary War Soldiers, Eaton's Roots, and Col. Leland's Sword.

This old sword is not some glamorous shiny thing… it is a real...used sword!   Col. Leland was in the Revolutionary War as and Ensign under the Commission of George Washington, and the sword has been handed down to the eldest son from the Colonel’s death to today!  How cool is that.  The current owner is Richard Leland of Malta, New York, who is a friend and supporter of the museum.  Many of the Revolutionary Soldiers who settled this area served under George Washington including Leland and Col. William Smith.

The Leland story actually starts with Col. William S. Smith who served under Washington and married Abigail “Nabby” Adams (President John Adams daughter) and lived in “Smith’s Valley.  Joshua purchased the property, which became Eaton from him, and the original document is framed at the Madison County Clerk’s Office.  The document on sheepskin has been preserved and has a back-story of its own.  This deed is dated July 2, 1795, and was recorded by Albert F. Devitt, Madison County clerk, July 2, 1926, just 131 years after it was dated!

Step to Col. Smith's Farm house in Smith's Valley

But back to the “sword”.  The Col. it is said used to also help drill troops that were the early Militia here.  Most people don’t realize the local Militia’s were active at the time since the War of 1812 was pending and people were still required to form to protect and serve..the Col. died in 1816.  Of interest to me was that our wonderful Madison County Records Manager - Kevin Orr has found some information for the museum that confirms my belief that Smith family members lived in the Eaton side…John Adams Smith and his wife Ann are listed in deeds for Eaton, among others.

These 1812 Militia members drilled in the flats between Eaton and Hamilton and cannon balls have actually been found on the hills between.

The Chenango Canal History & Lebanon Reservior

This history is on another of the many ponds and lakes that dot our beautiful Southern Madison County area, Lebanon Reservoir.  I am still a bit under the weather so will get back to you on the historic markers soon...more yet to come...but with the warm weather and summer folk arriving I thought I would put this piece up f0r you to enjoy!

Though located in today’s Town of Lebanon, the water that flowed from this reservoir makes its way via feeders to Eaton’s Leland Pond and Woodman Pond areas, where it is distributed to the canal.

This Reservoir has had two names, an old one that is very historic and a new one that is known by everyone. Kingsleybrook Reservoir is one such place. Today, we know this body of water surrounded by camps and homes as a sparkling gem, where fishing, swimming, boating and camping is enjoyed, as Lebanon Reservoir. Its original name and one still used on some maps however, is Kingsleybrook Reservoir.

Kingsley Brook, a fast-flowing stream, provides the water to this reservoir, a reservoir that once fed the Chenango Canal. The reservoir was added after the initial start of the proposed canal to insure that there would be enough water to run the canal during dry times. The dam was contracted in the fall of 1835, and scheduled to be completed by November of the following year. 

During the process, it was decided to raise the proposed height by 15 feet, it was noted that this would only take a small additional part of land, but would increase the capacity of the reservoir by 80 percent. The addition of the height was never accomplished.

After a horrible freshet occurred in April of 1843, the dam was breached and was severely damaged, estimates for the repair came to over $8,000 ( a pittance in our time). The canal engineers and commissioners felt that this dam and reservoir could be dispensed with, and consequently did not repair it.

By 1864, more water was needed to insure navigation on the canal because of leaking canal walls and decapitated locks, plus the addition of a proposed extension, so work was begun to rebuild the Kingsleybrook Reservoir. This time, the dam was raised the additional number of feet (15) and the dam was completed in 1867. The additional number of feet increased the capacity of the reservoir by over 100 percent. When the Chenango Canal no longer needed its water it became labels Lebanon Reservoir!

Melville Landon - Known to the World as Eli Perkins

If traveling near Eaton in the late 1800’s, you might have gone out of your way to see an oddity as noted here in HOUSE BEAUTIFUL MAGAZINE. 

“Eli Perkins Japanese Bungalow at Eaton is a unique summer home. It looks up and down the Chenango Valley for miles, and it is so pretty that travelers go out of their way to see it. Outside and inside it looks as if it had been dropped down from feudal Japan. The lawn is dotted with huge Japanese vase and porcelain lanterns, and scampering around them were a half dozen sacred Japanese dogs. Inside are Japanese servants dressed in the costumes of old Japan, and when they walk around porcelain curios, bronze storks and ugly dragons from Kyoto, the visitors think they are in the “Flowery Kingdom” 

Melville Landon was born in Eaton, N.Y., 1839, he was known under the pen name of Eli Perkins. Landon attended Madison University (now Colgate) and graduated from Union College in what was called the ‘war class of 1861.’ 

After graduating from Union College, he went to Washington with other Union graduates. After Fort Sumpter was fired upon, he assisted in organizing and then serving in the famous Cassius M. Clay battalion, which bivouacked in the White House, War Department and Capitol until the Seventh New York Regiment and Fifth Massachusetts marched through Baltimore to Washington attaining the rank of Major. During the War he was asked to take over two seised plantations that he ran to prove that free men would work harder than slave labor.

It is recorded that he passed many an hour in a literary rendezvous, under a Fifth Avenue Hotel, with many of his celebrated friends, Atemus Ward, Petroleum V. Nasby, and Josh Billings.  

He became friends with the Emperor of Japan and was given 4 scared dogs that he bred in Eaton and gave away for fundraisers, one of which is buried in the Eaton Cemetery. The Eaton Museum has much information and artifacts on him, as well as a book I wrote as a fundraiser that contains his humor. 

Landon became the President of the New York News Association and attained much wealth, spending his later years traveling to raise money for the YMCA & Civil War Veterans and their wives, spending summers at his Eaton Bungalow. 

His family home and his Japanese Bungalow are still standing on Landon Road today, and he is buried in the Eaton Village Cemetery at the top of the steps that lead to Landon Road. His beautiful Coptic cross monument, erected by his wife has an hourglass carved into it with the words. 

“HE MIXED REASON WITH PLEASURE AND WISDOM WITH MIRTH”. 

The Sage Tavern - Missing Markers & Log City

Isaac Sage built the first tavern on the site of Eaton village in 1802; it was situated on the corner opposite the site of the later Exchange Hotel  (now apartments) and remained standing for over one hundred and fifty years.  It was notable as it was also the first stick build house in the entire area since early builders at that time used logs... which is why Eaton was referred to as "Log City".

Few people who live in Eaton realize that because of water source of the Alderbrook, today's Eatonbrook,, Joseph and his son Ellis Morse were able too ran a sawmill in Eaton shortly after its settlement. With improvements, I am sure; the building stood as a beautiful early structure that stood until a few years ago when it was taken down.  Past owners just let it sit.


In an early book on Muller Hill it was explained that Louis Anthe Muller whole stayed in Hamilton until his Muller Mansion was livable, often stopped at Sages Tavern on his trips to his building site above Georgetown.

Sage eventually moved west and opened a few other taverns going west until he reached Ohio, since I believe he is most likely the Isaac Sage who is buried there.

I love this interesting story from Hammond's history tells this story about one of Eaton's less desirable tavern stops, however the moniker of Eaton remained "Log City" for many years....

A stranger who had traveled hither, and' was generously  entertained by the hospitable people, was found to be the  prince of good fellows and withal a wag. In the midst of their jollification, he took a flask of "good cheer," ascended J  one of the low roofed log buildings, and in the presence or  a group of admiring comrades, delivered a short and witty  harangue, flourished his bottle, and drank to the health of  " Log City," which was answered by the waving of hats andthree rousing cheers.

Genesee Country Museum, Madison County History, and the country poet!

The fall in all of its colors has started to envelop Central New York and for fun my little "history circle" of history friends... took to the highway to take advantage of the Smithsonian Magazines "free day" at a museum.

The ride took us to scenic Mumford, NY and the Genesee Country Village.  The village is a living history museum on its own, that includes tons of historic houses, businesses and buildings that have been moved to the site and restored.  The village also contains and Art Museum and a Nature Center and I assure you you can not see it all in one day.


The barns and shops scream history and you can actually picture yourself walking around in the Disney movie Pollyanna.  The collection includes houses and buildings from the 1790's to the Victorian Age.... and has everything from farms to the local Post Office, all taken back to how they looked when they were built and used.

I so wish Madison County with all of its historic buildings in decay would realise the need for preservation and laws prohibiting the removal of historic structures that in the worst case are replaced by cheap trailers.

This week  also brought Madison County Historian Matt Urtz and hardworking Bruce Burke up to my historic building favorite... the Old Town of Eaton Museum.... to film "a historical insights" piece for the PAC 99 station in Oneida, that will air this week on Tuesday!

The museum building is the oldest stone building in the Town of Eaton, and it is a prime example of a structure that cannot be replaced..it is a rubble building..once mistakenly called a canal era limestone building.

This makes me think of a poem I did many years ago that I include here for your enjoyment. (I hope!)

Small Country Town

Small country town, your praises I sing!

Up with what is old!

Buried in your graveyard,

Now moss covered and fallen,

Is an age of birth,

Back to our nation’s beginning.

As I gaze at the town below,

I can see the old stage

With its old driver bent, riding away.

The town’s bustle now a mere hum,

Cars rolling by one by one.

Your people I salute, for they still persist,

As their past on the cemetery hill sits.

Families untouched by time, still close,

Though taken away by work,

And returning again at dusk.

I praise your farmer,

Who works from dawn to dark,

Full knowing his family heritage,

Has given way to progress,

Yet continues to plod along.

Hold on! For we need you as a nation!

Hold on for all that is good and fine!

To the preacher and his Sunday flock,

Whose church can only stay as a community faith.

To the small businessman who must make his word good,

For he faces each man day after day. 

Bless them Lord

And give them strength to continue,

So the country shall not want.