William Eaton
Manuscript heading: General Eaton
- Born: February 23, 1764, Woodstock, CN
- Died: June 1,1811 Brimfield, MA
- Buried: Brimfield Cemetery, Brimfield, MA
General William Eaton was an officer in the United States Army who first served as a sergeant in the Continental Army from 1780 to 1783. He subsequently graduated from Dartmouth College in 1790. Following his academic achievements, Eaton held the position of Clerk for the Vermont House of Representatives during 1791‚Äì1792. He returned to military service as a captain in 1792, serving until 1799. Appointed Consul General in Tunis, Eaton was unable to halt tribute payments for American vessels. However, he later played a pivotal role in leading an expedition to reinstate Tripoli’s deposed ruler, successfully capturing Derna and contributing to the cessation of U.S. tribute payments. For his efforts, Eaton was recognized as a hero and awarded land in Massachusetts. He further served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1807 to 1808.
Eaton became involved in the Burr affair when Aaron Burr allegedly attempted to recruit him for his political endeavors. Eaton’s testimony provided details regarding Burr’s purported revolutionary aims and personal offers made to him. Nevertheless, no act of treason transpired, and the combination of a lack of evidence and Eaton’s diminished reputation at the time resulted in Burr’s acquittal.
The town of Eaton, New York, bears his name in recognition of his legacy.
Source: Trip Through The Piney Woods, PDF pp. 38–39.