Carlisle and Progreston
Carlisle: History of the Village
and the Founder John Eaton and Family
"When the war of 1812 broke out he enlisted as a private in the
militia and when the Americans approached Stoney Creek, he was appointed
to go to Burlington Heights to meet troops and pilot them through. "The
most important work done on John Eaton's home was converting it into the
headquarters for all lost detachments of British troops who came by boat.
He offered food and shelter for officers and men, and his horses and oxen
contributed greatly to the transportation of supplies during the war.
"In 1822 John Eaton was one of 5 men who founded the first church
in Hamilton. It was purchased at King and Wellington streets for 20 pounds.
A tablet in the first church marks this event.
"John, along with his wife and 13 children prospered. It did not
discourage them that when they first made their way through the bush to
Carlisle they were forced to unleash the oxen and lead them through the
dense underbrush one by one. Once they managed to build their cabin and
work their land they would walk 12 miles to the market in Hamilton with
a basket of eggs in one hand and a basket of butter in the other. In those
days now long gone, a large family was an economic necessity, not a handicap.
"Their one room cabin was added to over the years to accommodate
the growing family and eventually there were 13 rooms. John Eaton acted
as the local Methodist preacher and held many meetings and church revival
meetings that were held on his land for many years.
"John Eaton died in 1837 at the age of 64. My mother interviewed
an old gentleman, Aszhel Bates, 85, the grandson of Eliza Jane, daughter
of John Eaton, who had many stories to tell of Carlisle in the old days.
He remembered his great grandmother Eliza Jane recalling, as a little
girl, watching the coffin of John Eaton being carried across the 12 Mile
Creek by pallbearers balancing on a log.
"Catherine died in 1874. Stories recall that she was a splendid
nurse and people would come from miles around to be treated by her. If
they were too ill she would either walk or travel by oxen to their homes.
She lived to be 88 and did not have much use for doctors. A few months
before her death her son said they had better get a doctor to come and
see her. She said "No Enoch, do let me live out my natural life time."
"Their eldest son, Anson, was heir to their farm so he divided
it equally among his brothers. He then went to Waterloo County where he
married Lornhama Sutton. They had 11 children."
-by: "Cheryl, Marg's daughter" with thanks to Pat Martin and
Donna McCreary
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