Eaton Reunion, 1926
Hamilton Spectator
July 15, 1926
Wed Laura Secord's Cousin
He lived for a time in Saltfleet, until his wife became ill. The nearest
doctor was at Stoney Creek, and in leaving for there in search of him
he was compelled to stay all night at the home of Lavinas Vanduzen, a
United Empire Loyalist. There John Eaton met Catharine, a daughter, and
first cousin of Laura Secord, and when his wife died later, he married
her in 1802. Then he removed seven years later to a 200 acre farm in Saltfleet.
At Stoney Creek he was a class leader in the Sunday School.
When the war of 1812 broke out, he enlisted as a private, and when
the Americans approached at Stoney Creek he was appointed to go to Burlington
Heights to meet a contingent from Toronto and pilot them through. He was
in this and various other skirmishes. His home in Saltfleet was at the
intersection of Burlington Beach, at the head of Lake Ontario, near the
present water works, and his most important work consisted in converting
his home into headquarters for all detachments of British troops who came
by boat.
Many a meal, bed, and shelter his house afforded for the officers and
men, and his horses and oxen were indispensable to the transportation
of accouterments and supplies towards Queenston and Beaver Dam.
Following the war John Eaton was one of five men who, in 1832, founded
the first church in Hamilton. They purchased the present site at King
and Wellington streets for twenty pounds and in the new First United Church
a tablet marks this event.
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