Welcome! I really enjoy exchanging information with people and love that this blog helps with that. I consider much of my research as a work in progress, so please let me know if you have conflicting information. Some of the surnames I'm researching:

Many old Cape families including Kelley, Eldredge/idge, Howes, Baker, Mayo, Bangs, Snow, Chase, Ryder/Rider, Freeman, Cole, Sears, Wixon, Nickerson.
Many old Plymouth County families including Washburn, Bumpus, Lucas, Cobb, Benson.
Johnson (England to MA)
Corey (Correia?) (Azores to MA)
Booth, Jones, Taylor, Heatherington (N. Ireland to Quebec)
O'Connor (Ireland to MA)
My male Mayflower ancestors (only first two have been submitted/approved by the Mayflower Society):
Francis Cooke, William Brewster, George Soule, Isaac Allerton, John Billington, Richard Warren, Peter Browne, Francis Eaton, Samuel Fuller, James Chilton, John Tilley, Stephen Hopkins, and John Howland.
Female Mayflower ancestors: Mary Norris Allerton, Eleanor Billington, Mary Brewster, Mrs. James Chilton, Sarah Eaton, and Joan Hurst Tilley.
Child Mayflower ancestors: Giles Hopkins, (possibly) Constance Hopkins, Mary Allerton, Francis Billington, Love Brewster, Mary Chilton, Samuel Eaton, and Elizabeth Tilley.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Mayflower Ancestors Pt. 11: Francis Eaton

Francis Eaton is an ancestor who tugs at my heart strings as he had a life filled with tragedy. The misfortune started early--all of Francis’s siblings, except for his brother Samuel, died in 1603/1604, apparently due to a sickness that had spread through the household. 

Francis was baptized 11 September 1596 at Bristol, Gloucestershire, England, the son of John Eaton and Dorothy Smith. He became a house carpenter in England, which may have been why the Separatists wanted him to come to America with them. He was not a Separatist but rather a “stranger.” Francis had at least some education as he signed his name to documents.
Francis Eaton Signature from mayflowerhistory.com

Francis married first Sarah, whose maiden name is unknown, about 1618-19, in England. They had a son Samuel who was an infant on board the family’s voyage aboard the Mayflower. Sadly, Sarah died during that first difficult winter at Plymouth. 
 
Francis married second Dorothy, maiden name unknown, before 1623 at Plymouth. She was a maid servant to John Carver who had died in the spring of 1621, as did his wife, leaving Dorothy on her own. 

In the 1623 Land Division, Francis received four shares: one for himself, one for his deceased wife Sarah, one for his son Samuel, and one for his current wife Dorothy. Dorothy must have died soon after the division of land at Plymouth. 

Francis was about 26 years of age and had already lost two wives, but he forged ahead and married yet again. He married third Christian Penn around 1625 in Plymouth. Christian had arrived in 1623 on the “Anne.” They had three children together: Rachel, Benjamin and a third child whose name is unknown. The unknown child was called an “ideote” and was still living in 1651. I can’t imagine how people coped with a child with a severe disability given how difficult life already was for them. 

Francis died in the fall of 1633, apparently dying of an infectious fever that swept hrough Plymouth.  He was just 37 years of age and left behind a wife and four young children. 

His estate included one cow and a calf, two hogs, fifty bushels of corn, a black suit, a white hat, a black hat, boots, four pewter platters, fishing lead, and many carpentry tools including , hammers, an adze, square, augers, a chisel, boards, saws. See a list of his inventory at: http://www.pilgrimhall.org/willfeaton.htm

In July 1634, Christian married second Francis Billington, whose father John was hanged for murder in 1630. She and Francis Billington had nine children together. She died circa 1684, probably at Middleborough.

My line of descent from Francis and Sarah Eaton:

1      Francis Eaton 1596 - 1633
+Sarah Unknown   
2      Samuel Eaton  1620 - 1684
+Martha Billington 1638 - 1704
3      Mercy Eaton   1665 - 1703/04
+Samuel Fuller        1658 - 1728
4      Benjamin Fuller      1695/96 -
+Mary Samson       
5      Samuel Fuller  1724 - 1758
+Ann Tinkham        1726 - 1758
6      Mary Fuller    1748 - 1802
+Jabez Nye     1749 -
7      Desire Nye       1771 - 1858
+David Pierce 1773 - 1820
8      Lucy Nye Pierce      1809 - 1896
+Rowland Sturtevant Bumpus        1804 - 1853
9      Mary Briggs Bumpus      1840 - 1916
+Seth Washburn     1828 - 1921
10    Charles Francis Washburn     1857 - 1941
+Hattie Maria Benson    1861 - 1914
11    Carrie Clyfton Washburn      1896 – 1974
+George Brewster Smith        1895 – 1913
12    Arthur Elmer Washburn Davis      1913 - 1976
+Mildred Louise Booth   1917 – 1999
13    My parents
14   Me 

Richard Gere is a descendant of Francis Eaton.

50 comments:

  1. A have a great grandfather that is named Francis Eaton but it is said he was born in Wales in 1583 and his parents are John Eaton and Dorothy Smith. some say he died in Wales at a very young age of 22 but I don't have any proof but yet it is said he had children. Can you help me? Thanks

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  2. I'm sorry, but I only know about the Francis Eaton born in England! Chris

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  3. Thank you for post on family. My surname is smith frome different smith lines one connected to ralph smith, who is connected to hopkins doty and cook line pilgrims. Enjoy learning aboutt family history and who related to.

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  4. I too am related to Francis Eaton through third wife Christian Penn and daughter Rachell Eaton Ramsden.
    Lee Diauto

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    1. Thanks, Lee, for taking the time to leave a comment! Chris

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    2. I too am a descendant of Francis & Christian and daughter Rachel. Chris, thank you for putting the blog together. It's great to learn more stories about our history. Sherilyn

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  5. Do you happen to know if any of Francis' descendants migrated to Virginia?

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    1. I remember reading something about my Francis Eaton ancestors going back to England for 1 generation & then going to Virginia.

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  6. I am also related to Francis Eaton via Christian Penn and then his son Benjamin. I am volunteering to take a y-DNA test to verify our line.

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    1. I am VP of The Eaton Families Association and we would love to either help with your DNA or perhaps you would be so kind as to share results with our DNA coordination, Doug MacMillan (president@eatongenealogy.com) We are in dire need of Eaton males who can trace their Eaton ancestry to Francis. My name is Barbara and you can contact myself (webmaster@eatongenealogy.com) or Doug directly. Our website is www.eatongenealogy.com Thanks!

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    2. Hi Barbara, Thank you for reaching out. Unfortunately if you are looking for male descendants, I can't help since I'm a woman. Name is confusing, I know! Chris

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  7. I think I'm a descendant of Francis Eaton but not direct. My line comes down through Ramsdell. Blanchard Ramsdell came from the same area in MA. Can't make the connection. Peter Eaton

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    1. I'm not familiar with the Ramsdell name. I hope you find a connection to Francis! Chris

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    2. My maternal great grandfather was Randall Ramsdell descended from Francis Eaton and Christian Penn, he lived in upstate NY.

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  8. I am from New York and have a theory I am related to Francis. My family has kept the name Eaton and it has been passed down through generations that we are related to Francis.

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  9. I am from New York and have a theory I am related to Francis. My family has kept the name Eaton and it has been passed down through generations that we are related to Francis.

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    1. That's great to have the family stories to get you started. Have you tried tracing your ancestry to Francis? Chris

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  10. I am a descendant of Frances Eaton and live in VA via CT.

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  11. My grandmother, Rebecca Olive Center Eaton, is a direct descendant of Francis Eaton. She was born in Worcester, Mass. in the late 1800's. As she had just one child, my mother, Constance, my siblings and I are considered indirect descendants of Francis Eaton.

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    1. Hi Anne, It sounds to me like you are a direct descendant of Francis Eaton. Chris

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  12. I am related by Bethia Bump/ Bumpas marriage to Peleg Ballard. I have applied to mayflower society..

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    1. I'm related to Bethia Bumpus as well, her father Philip is my 9th great uncle. Chris

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  13. I believe I am also related to Francis Eaton through Christian Penn. My 7th great grandparents are Michael Hawkins and Angess Eaton daughter of William Eaton and Sarah Pinkethman. Anyone have these family members? Thank you

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  14. Tied in thru Samuel Eaton Family name "Phillips".

    thru Betha Eaton, then Lydia Bassett married Samuel Phillips.

    Same Phillips family that help establish Taunton, Massachusetts

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    1. Thanks for posting your info! Chris

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    2. Update .. Formally established family links and have become registered member of Society of Mayflower Descendants.

      Phillips family married into Eaton Family. Ancestor William Phillips was one of the original founders of Taunton, Mass.

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    3. Congratulations! I'm sure a lot of hard work went into have your line of descent approved!

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  15. My great grandmother's name was mae elizabeth eaton . We are also direct descendants of francis eaton .
    Ever since i was a little boy i remember her telling stories of how he came to america .
    Ive just recently taken an interest in family history and im glad to have stumbled across this page !
    My mind is blown to see how many living decendants he has to this day considering how short difficult life was

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    1. Sorry for the delay in responding, I haven't been getting notifications about comments. What a long Eaton line you have and what a gift your great grandmother gave you by telling you Francis Eaton's story.

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  16. Hello,
    My Uncle David is the last known male Eaton direct lineage to Francis Eaton. My maternal grandfather Russell T. Eaton is from Middleboro, and one of his sisters did a family tree and geneology, pre internet. I and my siblings, mother and uncle and his only child, a girl (the last of the Eatons)are all listed in the Children of the Mayflower documents. My grandfather being the only male Eaton and having only one of his two children born a male, my uncle David being the last male Eaton of direct lineage, documented, is a very sad thing in my mind. I feel the tragic life of Francis Eaton has run through the family as a legacy or curse in a way. It seems that nearly every generation of Eatons have always come close to being upstanding, well to do and then some bad luck seems to knock them back to common folk.
    I would think that there should be some kind of national endowment and or high recognition and regard for those original Mayflower passengers and those who signed the Mayflower Pact and their descending families. I feel that there should be some kind of family crest or an American title like English Lordship or Knightly title should be given to those of us who are direct descendants of the original Mayflower passengers.
    I have been born and raised in California and have never been to New England, and have never seen the historical places or the town of Middleboro where the Eatons lived since the 1620s. Even though my last name isn't Eaton, my grandfather and uncle were and are a big part of my life since birth. I am proud to be an Eaton.

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    1. That's amazing that you have such long line of Eatons but sad that the male line has ended. Thanks for sharing your story.

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    2. Chris,
      Thank You for your reply and comment.
      Yes, it is sad that the real, direct bloodline name Eaton will end with my Uncle's inevitable passing sometime in the future. Hopefully not any time soon. I've had the idea but never looked into it any further than thought about, legally adding Eaton to my name to carry on the name as Latin families use their maternal surname, or as we call our mother's maiden name but, that was years ago. When my grandfather was still alive he didn't push my Uncle to get married and have kids but we all knew that he wanted the name to continue. My Uncle was a confirmed bachelor playboy dating models and actresses and remained single until finally married at 47 yrs old. He married a beautiful Chinese Hawaiian from a very wealthy family and they had my cousin a few years later and the baby is a girl. Being that my Uncle was in his early/mid 50s and my Aunt being about 40 yrs old, they weren't going to have anymore kids. That was almost 25 yrs ago. That's when I was 30 yrs old and still had the idea that I'd find a woman to marry and have kids with and the thought of adding Eaton to my name popped up. But, now that I'm 54 still single, gladly I'll admit and no kids I know of, there is no point in adding the name to my legal name. I'm not having any kids.
      So, that is the tragic end to the legacy in lineage. It was something that I know my grandfather felt strongly about but my Baby Boomer Uncle didn't being of the Hippie generation doesn't have that or didn't at the early age, the pride and the responsibility to keep the name alive for more generations. He does feel some remorse now, I know, and that is just another sad part of being an Eaton. Thank God for the historical archives and that there are plenty of cousins that will keep the oral history of our family tree, so that Francis Eaton isn't forgotten.

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    3. "the real, direct bloodline name Eaton will end"
      Do you mean the direct blood line in your family? Because I am a direct male descendent / lineage of Francis Eaton.

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    4. As far as I know, there were no other male, children born of male Eaton descendants, but I may be misinformed. Did you read the lineage list I posted? As I explained at the end that the list didn't include all children only the males born of males that starts with Francis and ends with my mom and uncle. Maybe you can add to the names on my lineage where your family is the same and then where it splits?

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  17. Thank you for the info shared here. I believe I am a direct descendant of Francis Eaton and Christian Penn. The lines I have traced:
    Francis Eaton & Christian Penn
    Rachel Eaton & Joseph Ramsden/Ramsdell
    Daniel Ramsden/Ramsdell & Hannah Caswell
    Mary Ramsden/Ramsdell & Thomas Caswell
    Daniel Caswell & Mary Cowing
    Nathan Caswell & Hannah Shaw
    Nathan Caswell, Jr & Hannah Bingham
    Apthorp Caswell & Amarilla Holden
    Caroline Caswell & Ebenezer Abbott
    Ellen Jane Abbott & George Cary
    Ira Cary & Lily Smith
    Harold Cary (my grandfather)

    I hope to come to the East Coast and do some more research! Thanks for your blog!

    Amy Eriksmoen

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    1. Thanks for sharing your line of descent, Mary!

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  18. Hello, I am just starting my quest in research into this possible line. My 2x great grandmother was Martha "Mattie" Eaton (1878-1930). From what I have so far the line goes - William Eaton 1843-? (Sarah Kitterman) - James H Eaton 1821-1865 (Rosannah Gibson) - Samuel J Eaton 1797-1865 - William Eaton 1773-1817 - William Eaton 1755-1777.... I dont have much hard proof on the earlier people yet, this is just from census data and items that seem to link via docs available on Ancestry.com. First couple generations I am more certain on. Any help or docs are greatly appreciated as I embark further down this rabbit hole.

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    1. Jason, I'm not familiar with your line but hopefully someone else who is will read your comment. I checked the "Mayflower Families Through Five Generations" aka Silver Book on Francis Eaton and do not see your William Eaton b. 1755. Chris

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  19. Jason, I commented before as $100Bill and I have the family tree that shows the direct line from Francis Eaton to my mother and uncle. I know there is a huge tree printed out that my mom has with every child, male and female, and all the relatives including how Miles Standish, Dr.Samuel Fuller, John Alden and a few other notables are related as well.
    I will list what I have and maybe it will help you.

    Francis Eaton b. England Mayflower Pilgrim married in Europe died about Nov 8 1633
    Wife Sarah b.England d.Plymouth Mass first sickness
    Son Samuel Eaton b1620 in England, Mayflower Pilgrim infant
    Married 10 January 1660/61 Plymouth, Mass. d.before 29 Oct 1684 Middleboro, Mass.
    Married Martha Billington
    b. Plymouth, Mass. d. 9 June 1704 prob Conn.
    Son Samuel Eaton
    b.about 1663 Middleboro Mass.
    married 24 May 1694 Middleboro
    d. 8 Mar. 1723/24 Middleboro Mass 61st yr.
    Wife Elizabeth Fuller
    b. about 1663
    Son Barnabus Eaton
    b. 12 Apr 1703 Middleboro
    married 21 Feb 1742/43 Middleboro
    d.Nov 1790 Middleboro at 87 yrs 7 mos.
    Wife Elizabeth Clemmens
    b. about 1716
    d. 6 Dec. 1796 Middleboro
    Son Nathan Eaton
    b. 11 Aug 1753 Middleboro
    married 18 Aug 1774 Bridgewater, Mass
    d.?
    Wife Margaret Cherry
    Son Ziba Eaton
    b. 18 Mar 1784 Middleboro
    d. 9 Oct 1858 Middleboro 74yrs 6 mos 21 days
    Wife Jedidah Washburn
    b. probably Middleboro
    Son Andrew Murdock Eaton
    b 16 Oct 1812 Middleboro
    married 28 Jan 1851 Middleboro
    d 18 Apr 1881 68yrs 6 mos
    Wife Louisa A. White
    b 13 May 1823 Middleboro
    d 1891 Middleboro
    Son John Forrest Eaton
    b 27 May Middleboro
    married 13 Jan 1881 Middleboro
    d 27 May 1931 Georgetown Mass suicide
    Wife Mary Agnes Canty
    b 23 Nov 1860 East Taunton Mass
    d 27 Apr 1944 Middleboro
    Son Charles Herbert[Forrest] Eaton
    b 7 Aug 1881 East Taunton Mass
    married 26 Jun 1913 Middleboro
    d 18 Jul 1942 Middleboro
    Wife Edna Lawrence Thomas
    b 26 Mar 1892 Whitman Mass
    d 29 May 1957 Boston Mass
    Son Russell Thomas Eaton (my maternal grandfather)
    b 7 Dec 1913 Middleboro
    married 10 Nov 1939 Middleboro
    d 13 Sept 1994 Los Angeles CA
    Wife Juliette Adeline Marchese(my maternal grandmother)
    b 18 May 1917 Boston Mass
    d Mar 2011 Los Angeles CA
    Son David Charles Eaton (last surviving male Eaton my uncle
    Daughter Judith Barbara Eaton
    (My mother)

    So there you have it.
    Like I mentioned before this is only showing the direct Male Eaton bloodline from Francis to my uncle and mother. It doesn't list daughters, or other brothers if there were any. I'm hoping to get a copy of the complete tree when I go to see family over Christmas. It's too big to copy and send by mail and too many pages to scan and send, for my mom, she's 80 yrs old. I'll have to do it when I'm there. Then I could see if and where some of the names you gave fit into the puzzle.

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  20. I think I maybe a descendant of Francis Eaton through my maternal grandmother’s line. Her line is the only line that I have any relatives born in this country before the 1920’s as my grandfather was born in Ireland, and my grandmothers father was born in Austria. Here is what I have, and any corrections or advice would be greatly appreciated.

    3x’s g grandmother Elizabeth Eaton: B 1827 Pennsylvania D 1880 Pennsylvania married Joseph L Crouch B- 1815 Pennsylvania D- 11/2/1886

    4x g grandfather James Eaton: B- 1786 Pennsylvania D- 18/7/1862 Pine Twp Armstrong, pa

    4x g grandmother: Susannah Lnu: B- 1784 Pine Twp, Armstrong, Pa D- 8/11/1836

    5x g grandfather: James Eaton: 15/4/1774 Kingston, Plymouth, Mass D- 30/6/1826
    5x g grandmother: Catherine ?: B- 1742 Pennsylvania D- 22/7/1828

    6xg grandfather Benjamin Eaton: B- 1698, Plymouth, Mass . D- 3/5/1751, Plymouth, mass
    6x g grandmother Mercy? : B-1706, Plymouth, Mass D- 2/8/1741, Kingston, Plymouth, Mass

    7x Benjamin Eaton B: 1663 Plymouth, Mass D- 23/4/1745? , 17/4/1745? 3/5/1751? Kingston, Plymouth, Mass
    7x g grandmother Mary Coombs: 28/11/1666, Boston, Suffolk, Mass D- 2/7/1728 Plymouth, Mass

    8x Benjamin Edson Eaton: B- 3/1628 Plymouth, Mass D- 17/1/1712 Plymouth, Mass
    8x Sarah Hoskins: B- 16/9/1627 Plymouth, Mass

    9x Francis Eaton: B- 11/9/1596 St. Thomas, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England D- 8/11/1633 Plymouth, Mass
    Christina Penn B- 1606 Lincolnshire England D- 13/7/1684 Middleboro Plymouth, Mass



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    1. Hi Roberta,
      My Eaton line goes in a different direction, so I'm not familiar with your line. There is a fee, but you can find out if anyone else has joined the Mayflower Society using this line.

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    2. We are related my 4x great grandfather is also James Eaton from kittaning Pennsylvania and show the same ground great grandparents that you show all the way to Francis my three times. Great grandfather was James his son. John Dixon Eaton. My two times great grandfather was Samuel. My great grandfather was Elvin my grandfather was Andrew and my father was Richard, all Eaton‘s in the male line of Francis

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    3. Then we are related James is my 4x great grandfather as well and I believe I’m a male descendant of Francis as well

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    4. That's pretty cool. So we are cousins, I don't know how many times removed or however they figure that out. It's pretty amazing to know this info and be related to one of the people who was a part of one of the most famous events in American and World history. Obviously there are more famous passengers but the biggest factor is that he survived when so many didn't make it off the ship or didn't make it through the first winter.
      I am very proud to be of the bloodline that basically found and started this Country. It honestly makes me sick and very angry that the people of this country have let it get hijacked by corrupt politicians, corrupt and evil corporations, banks and the Federal Reserve. Something has to change for the better, soon. . Well, take it easy cousin

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    5. Thanks for your comments. You have such a long line of Eaton's! I always find it interesting where families went to when they left Plymouth.

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    6. My maternal grandparents, Russell Thomas Eaton and Adeline Juliette Marchese(Eaton), grandpa was living in Middleboro just like almost every Eaton before him and my grandma, who was youngest of 13 kids of Sicilian immigrants that were pretty well to do from Dorchester, my great grandfather came from a family with money that owned one of the ports on the Island of Lipoli off of Sicily, came to America and ended up owning two or three barber shops in and around Boston and had clients like the Kennedy's.Rose was his first female customer.
      But my grandparents got married in 1939 and immediately moved to Los Angeles with the other two youngest sisters, my great aunts Florence and Elenora in tow. My aunt Flo married an Army buddy of my grandpa's and aunt Nora married a man who worked for Flo's husband. That's how the Eaton namesake ended up in Los Angeles, then San Francisco because WWII started and grandpa was stationed at the Presidio in San Francisco protecting the entrance to the Bay, then moved back to Los Angeles after he was discharged.

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    7. That's interesting how your Eaton family ended up in California. And your grandfather being stationed at the Presidio sounds like scene from a movie!

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  21. I am now submitting my application to Mayflower Society to Frances Eaton. I manage Familytree DNA for my nephew YDNA 67 would his DNA help historically?

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    1. Hi there, I’m not well informed about DNA. You can find out more about GSMDs DNA project at https://www.themayflowersociety.org/gsmd-and-ftdna

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  22. I am also descended from Francis Eaton, his son Benjamin and his daughter Hannah. Hannah married William Soule. William was the grandson of George Soule, who was also on the Mayflower. So that gives me two lines to the Mayflower. Guess I should apply to the Mayflower Society. After three generations of Soules, a daughter, Sarah, married Phillip L Faulk and that was the family name of my paternal grandmother when she married a Jones.

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I'm now moderating comments on this blog. My apologies for any ensuing delays, but the large number of "spam" comments have made this necessary. ~Chris