The Line of Charles Eacott

When I began tracing my family tree, back in the late 1960's, neither my father nor I had very much information. My grandfather had been raised by a stepfather from the age of 8. He never spoke much about his family to my father. We did not even know that the name was an English name. Years of searching and investigating have resulted in all of the information collected in this book. The material that follows is that which most concerns my line of Eacotts.

There are now six generations, 1986, of this family in Canada. Charles to John to Charles to John to John to Jonathan and Erin.

We know that Charles Eacott was born in Wiltshire, England (Willshire according to his death certificate of 1875.) He was listed as 85, meaning that he was born in 1790. The census of 1851 tells us that he was born in 1797. Perhaps he did not really know, or wish it to be known, in what year he had been born or an error in recording took place.

Only one record is known of a Charles Eacott being baptised in Wiltshire during the period 1790 to 1797. This person does not show up in later records in England for marriage, children etc.

Charles Eacott was baptised on the 17th of August 1794 at Purton, Wiltshire. He was the youngest child of Richard Eacott and Sarah Clarke. He was baptised on the same day as his brother James, so perhaps they were twins. It may be they simply didn’t baptise him until his brother was born.(less likely!) Charles' oldest brother was John. This was a common tradition among

the Eacott families in the area to name the first son John. A Henry Eacott, possibly a cousin lived nearby at Wooton Bassett. He was of a similar age to Charles. Charles gave

his children names which appear in this family from Purton. This may be further proof that he is the one who came to Canada.

Charles had several brothers: John baptised 1777, William 1780, Samuel 1783 and James. Jane 1796,was his only sister.

We know something about Charles father and mother. Richard Eacut 1739 _ 1810 (71 years) married Sarah Clarke 1746 _ 1826 (80 years) on October 9, 1770 at Purton. Another record records a Sarah Clark as having a child whom she named Thomas Eacutt on Aug 26, 1770. There were other Eacotts living around Purton. Other Richards and other James make record matching difficult. There is no record of a baptism at Purton in 1739/40 for a Richard. No record elsewhere either. We cannot tell who Richard’s father was.

Eacotts lived at Purton for a long time. In 1597 Jane and John Ackett were buried there. In 1583 Margery Ackett was baptised. In 1664 Richard Ecott of Purton married Elizabeth Clarke of St. Mary at Devises and in 1676 James Eacot married Mary Palmer at Swindon. In the first half of the 1700's

James, John, James, Samuel, William, James, Thomas, James, Richard were all married in Wiltshire. Before 1670 the records are not very complete. We do know that Eacotts lived around Purton/Swindon in the 1600's and perhaps back to the 1500's. More research needs to be done to link the Eacotts in Wiltshire backwards to Rendcomb and North Cerney a distance of 15 miles by road.

Purton was not a very large village, and the Eacott name must have been well known there in the 1700's. However they seemed to disappear from the area before 1900. We do know that people from Purton emigrated to Canada. A document in the church relates how some persons were helped to move. I learned that the church congregation had sponsored missionaries to Canada in the early 1700's. The first S.P.G. Missionary went out in 1702 on the Centurion. A book on church history written in 1927 said this of the year 1837. " In the years following the Napoleonic Wars much poverty and consequent misery was obtained. It is said that no less than 500,000 persons died from starvation. Purton felt its share of bad times and it was thought well to encourage emigration to Canada. A deed dated 22 May 1837 contained an agreement

between church wardens and overseers in Purton and a Mr. Robert Carter of 11 Leadenhall St.,London to send persons abroad.

21 persons from Purton were sponsored to Canada to land at Montreal. They and their luggage were to be landed free of charge and food allowances were given as well as medicine and wine. Such things as wooden bowls, platters, hook pots, etc. were specified for each person over 14 and a special supply list for each person under 14 was given. All taxes were met and the fare was seven pounds five shillings for an adult. Children under 14 were half fare. A second lot of persons were sent out in 1844. Some of the names of those sent were Sealy, Maule, Cutts, Tuff, Turner, Baker. One wonders if Charles Eacott, the first known Eacott in Canada (1830) may have experienced these problems and set out from Purton just before this group of immigrants sending word back of the conditions abroad.

What became of Charles Eacott from the time he was born until he appeared in Upper Canada? We do not know. In 1830 a Michael Eacott was living at Hamburg N.Y. (Buffalo) and

a Richard Eacott was living at Stow Mass. In 1840 a William was living in Youngstown Pa. (US census)

Charles settled in Euphemia township, Lampton county in the year 1830 or the year 1832. He arrived in Elgin county and went to Port Talbot to see Col. Thomas Talbot a singularly important land agent to obtain from him an award of land. The Erie canal was completed in 1825 and it is likely that Charles sailed to New York and travelled from there to Lake Erie. At this time land was available in Ontario for anyone who agreed to clear so much land, build a house and keep the road up in front of the property. Col. Talbot controlled much land onto which he placed settlers. He did this between 1804 and 1835. Talbot kept a large map with the names of the property holders on it. A pencil notation on his map was erased and the names of Edward Bull (now Buel) and Charles Eacott were penciled on with the date 1832. The pencil marks were on the east and west half of Lot 24, con 5 Township of Zone. (Zone became Euphemia in 1851, it was first known as the Zone of Kent co.)

Charles Eacott had the 100 acres in the east side. Since both obtained land at the same time, same heavy pencil, could it be they were friends from England?

Talbots records were not very good so in 1845 Charles Eacott was informed that he ought to get proper title to the land. As a result he, along with many others filed a petition to the Governor. It said: 

"To his Excellency Lord Metcalfe Governor General of

British North America etc. etc. etc.

In Council

The petition of Charles Eacott of the Township of Zone

in the Western District, Farmer,

Humbly Sheweth

That in the year 1830 your excellencys petitioner was located

by the honorable Thomas Talbot upon a lot of one hundred

acres of land in the said Township of Zone liable to

settlement duties which he hereto performed and is ready to

pay the fee that may be required

Wherefor your Excellencys petitioner humbly pray that your

Excellency will be pleased to grant him the said lot and your

petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray.

Charles Eacott

Port Talbot

11 th April 1845

Recommended by

Thomas Talbot

Supert.

I certify that Charles Eacott has taken the oath of allegiance before me _

Thomas Talbot J.P.

The petition was received 8th Oct. 1847 under which it says "

Commissioner of Crown Land's report, filed with petition of

Samuel Bond __ In Committee 18, Oct. 1847 __ recommended __

approved in council 25 Oct. 1847."

The petition was noted as having been written by Rev. I.

Gunne of Louisville W.D.

The petition took some time to be approved because there were many of them to be dealt with. It is possible that Charles was not able to write more than his name. Then again not being familiar with legal matters he may have asked for help in writing the petition. Again the Rev. Gunne may have been asked to prepare these documents for the landowners. It was a serious matter for the settlers since it was possible for someone else to obtain legal right to the land. The swearing of an oath of allegiance was not believed to be common. Talbot may have had some doubt as to Charles loyalty. American settlers usually had to swear the oath. However in 1837 Charles was mustered into the militia as a government loyalist which may explain the oath.

Euphemia Township was first settled by David Fancher of Mowhawk Valley New York in March of 1825. Wm Walker and Jonathan Brakett came with him. Later that year Richard Dobbyn came from the Royal Navy. In 1830 Peter Wright came from New York and Huff and Bartley came from eastern Ontario. Scott, Palmer and McIntosh came from Yarmouth N.S. In 1834 James McCabe arrived from Ireland. The settlers came from all over.

George Kerby J.P. conducted the first marriage in the area in 1834. Two years later Magaret McCabe, daughter of James McCabe was married by this same justice of the peace. This was still the back woods and no churches had yet been built. Charles married Margaret on August 9, 1836. She was born in 1811 and so was considerably younger than Charles. He was over 40 and she was 25. ( see Ontario Register 1969 _ civil marriage list for Zone and Dawn, marriages by George Kerby. " Charles Eacot and Margaret McCale [McCabe] of Zone ninth August 1836, Witnesses Job Hall, Benjamin Burr "

Magaret McCabe was born in Ireland, perhaps in Galway. She told her daughters that she stopped at Newfoundland on the way over. One of her peculiarities was that she never moved the furniture around. Both she and Charles listed themselves as Anglicans on the census forms.

Charles, it was said, added "H's" to his speech. He would say Hirish for Irish. He often said he "didn't care much for the Hirish".

Charles and Margaret had four children: John 1837, Henry 1840, Jane 1843, and Sarah 1849.

In 1847 Charles obtained formal ownership of his land. A sheepskin parchment was given to him. (This parchment in the possession of Jim Cross of Sarnia was allowed to deteriorate on the garage floor and was garbage when he died). In 1853 Charles was able to acquire the west hundred acres of lot 24, con 6 (across the road) from the Canada Land Company for a price of about 8 shillings or two dollars an acre. We do not know the actual price. His son John was 16 at the time.

The land in the area was not considered very good. It is flat and poorly drained. This was clear from the comments of the census taker in 1861 who said that the area had very poor roads, was thinly settled, the farming was poor, that 1858_60 had been very bad years with a wheat midge infestation that destroyed the wheat so badly that farmers had to buy grain in order to survive. The farmers were so poor that they could not afford to improve the land by tiling it.

The census shows that many homes were log, some frame and very few were made of brick. It is interesting to know that Charles' home was one of the first brick houses in the area. I believe that it was built about 1851. It was an unusual style of house. There were two fireplaces downstairs and one upstairs. there was a large staircase. The house was a storey and a half and not like any other house around. There was a centre hall with two large rooms off of it and two smaller bedrooms. There was a wooden picket fence and also a metal fence with a gate around the yard. Hop vines grew upon the walls. There was a frame summer kitchen. The red bricks were said to have been made on the farm. The house stood empty for many years after Jane died and was taken down by Bill Tanner in '40s and the bricks were used in a London hospital. It is not known how Charles was able to purchase land and build such an imposing house considering the state of local farming. Perhaps he earned money from some other source. (A photo exists of this house and a brick survives) There was a brick yard not far away and he may have had some connection with it.

Whatever he did it was not because of his schooling. It is likely that he could not read or write, the census of 1861 says that he could not read or write. His will and land sales are marked by an "X". The Rev. Gunne wrote his petition to the governor. It was not uncommon for persons born in his time to be illiterate.

In 1861, when John was 24 he purchased the 100 acres of land, lot 24, con 6 across the road, which his father had bought in 1853. In June of that year Charles, John, Henry and Wm. Armstrong went to Toronto to facilitate conveyance of real property. In the census of that year John was not living at home or across the road. He may have been living on another farm the family owned up by the Sydenham River.

In 1871, Charles had his will made. He was between 74 and 80 years of age. His mark was verified by James Walker. The will in part said :" The SE 1/2 lot 24 con 5 etc. Land, house, furniture, stock, equipment were given to his wife Margaret for her own use and benefit absolutely." To his daughter Jane he gave the N 1/2 of lot 24 con 5 (this was the north fifty acres of the original farm) Jane married Wm. McCabe. " To my children John, Henry, and Sarah I give one dollar each paid by my executor out of my estate within three months of my decease" signed by Wm. Feuley and G. McCabe as witness. Feuley had bought the Bull farm behind the Eacotts. The farm bought for John had been made his some years before. Jane was the oldest girl ,nearly 30, and the land may have been a form of dowry. She lived her entire life in the original house. The Atlas of 1880 shows Henry owning a farm at Lot 27, con 4 up by the river. He had his own place as early as 1866. He also inherited his mothers land after she died. What Sarah got seems quite obscure. She was 22 when the will was written.

Charles died March 24, 1875. He was listed as being 85 years old although the census records indicate he was 78. Agnes (Tanner) Cross recalls her mother telling her that Margaret, his wife was very upset and that Sarah Jane his daughter was told after coming from the barn that the horses would have to go to Henry since neither Mother nor Sarah Jane would be able to look after them. Margaret took Sarah Janes hands and held them over the fireplace when she told her of Charles death. Since John lived across the road one wonders why Henry was to get the animals.

This was not a pleasant time for Margaret. Less than two year later John her oldest son died. She died less than a month after him, March 1877 at the age of 66. All of these people were buried in the Eacott family plot overlooking the Sydenham River.

No photo is known of Charles. Margaret did have a picture taken.

The only artifact which may be linked to Charles is a pocket watch, made in England, the mechanisms was common to the late 1700's early 1800's, a case dating however may place

it as 1864. The watch if not Charles was certainly John's.

The Line of John Eacott, son of Charles 1837 - 1877

John Eacott was the eldest child of Charles and Margaret. He was born in July of 1837. It appears from the census records that he could read a little but not write much. He was interested in farming for he took up his fathers land at con 24, lot 6, a hundred acres, in 1861 at the age of 24. He was married to Maria (Mariah) Willis.

Mariah was born in Jan. 1840 to William and Ann Willis. William Willis was born 1778 and died May 10, 1848 age 70.His wife Ann lived from 1813 to April 4 , 1877 age 64. When their daughter was born he was 62 and she was 27.

The census of 1871 provides an insight into the life of this family. John was 34 that year and Maria was 31. They had a son Charles, 2, who was born in 1869.They were listed as supporters of the nearby Baptist church. On the farm there was listed one house, built in 1861, two barns, 1 carriage, two wagons, a plough, two mowers or reapers, a horse rake and a fanning mill.

45 acres were under the plough, 20 were pasture, 9 acres were in wheat, 30 in barley, 8 in peas and there was an orchard. 50 bu. of corn and 70 bu. of potatoes were grown on half an acre. 10 acres of hay produced 20 tons. 100 lbs of grapes were grown which produced 5 gal of wine. 150 lbs of maple syrup were produced. John owned that year, 2 adult horses, 3 milk cows, 8 horned cattle, 12 sheep, and some pigs. He sold 6 cattle, 2 sheep, and five pigs. The farm produced 300 lbs of butter. 20 lbs of wool were produced and turned into 20 yards of cloth by Maria. 35 cords of firewood were cut. This was the record of a self sufficient family which existed because of their own effort. While not pioneers they were not far removed from those days.

During the next six years John and Maria had 2 more children. Maggie, (1872- Nov 24 to 1953 ) and later John Henry, (1874 -1918? ).

Tragedy befell this family in 1877. John suffered a cut to his thumb which became infected. The infection turned into erysipylis, blood poisoning. Today this would have been quickly cured. In those days there was no cure. John Eacott died February 3, 1877 at the age of 39.

Maria was left with the farm and 3 children. The oldest, Charlie was 8. One month to the day later Marias mother -in -law died. One month and 1 day after that her own mother died.

Three major family deaths in three months.

The widow Eacott was courted by Ted Hope, 13 years her junior, who lived on the 6th north of Haggerty across from McLeans. They married and had a daughter, Ida (Clements) 1884 _ 1967 who lived at Bothwell and never married. Ted (Edward) Hope was remembered as a very fine man. The farm remained in the hands of Maria and the children until 1894. Charles and

John Henry sold their share of the farm to their sister.Maggie and her husband Wm. Murphy. Maria gave her share to Maggie. Charles was 27 at the time.

Maria and Ted lived on the farm for a time. They moved to Bothwell in 1908 with their family. (Bothwell Times) and lived in white house on Elm St by United Church. After Maria died Ted remarried ( a Marshall).. Maria was remembered as a very quiet person by Agnes Cross who met her once.

Mariah died Sept. 16, 1916, age 75 years and 8 months. She was buried in the Eacott cemetery next to her first husband. Her stone reads Mariah Willis, wife of Ted Hope. Ted Hope 1853 _ 1943 is buried in Bothwell Cemetery.

Children of John Eacott

_ Charles Eacott, born May 27, 1869 died Aug. 30 1933, age 64. Charles or Charlie as he was known was born on lot 24 con 5 of Euphemia in the house his family had built. His father died when he was 8 and he was raised by his stepfather and mother. He apparently thought highly of Ted Hope. He also seems to have been included in the life of Henry’s family. His photo was included with Henrys children who were a little younger than he. He had a life long friendship with his cousin Aggie. William Tanner appears to have helped Charlie learn the skills of a builder. Charles helped build the 1888 house as a young man. He also worked on numerous projects around the area. Charles was a reasonably successful builder. Many homes in the Highgate and Bothwell areas were constructed by him. He was considered a very talented person. He would build a house, sell it and build another.

At one time he and his brother or cousin Jim Henry went west to Winnipeg and other points. It is said they obtained a land grant in what is now part of Winnipeg but lost it through neglect of paying the taxes. Maggie, Charlies sister did live in Ogema, Saskatchewan for a time. The west did not hold much attraction for him as he was back in Ontario in 1896. Times were not good as he says that in order to keep warm he used to wrap newspapers around his legs under his pants in Winter.

On Dec. 23, 1896 Charles married Estella Elva Reynolds at Palmyra. She was 20 and he was 27.

Estella was born April 5, 1876 and died July 1960, age 84. She grew up behind the store at Palmyra. Estella was the eldest child of Harry J. Reynolds and Hanna Street. Their Children were John Frances 1910 - 1988, and Laura 1916 -1990. She lived her married life at Highgate, from 1920 in an imposing red brick house which Charles had built for a doctor in 1905 but it had never been used in that way.

William Reynolds came to Canada in 1842 from England. He settled first at Coburg and 9 years later in Elgin county. 6 years later he relocated to Lot 24 con 1 Howard Twp. near Morpeth, Ont., 1857.His son Harry J. Reynolds was born June 22, 1856. Harry took over the blacksmith shop of George Bishop in 1878 ( see Orford's Story pg 37, photo) Harry and Hanna had 8 children. Harry died March 1, 1940 age 84.

Jacob Street was the first settler in Palmyra area. He arrived in 1817 with his sons, Joseph, Charles, Samson. His farm was the northwest lot at the Palmyra intersection. He paid Col. Talbot 30 dollars to register his claims and agreed to clear the roadway and so much of each lot. Jacob Street came from New York state. He was possibly the grandfather of Hanna, mother of Estella. he was instrumental in starting the Methodist church at Palmyra in 1850's when a group left the Baptist church and met in log building on his land. Services were held when the circuit rider came around.

Children of Harry and Hanna:

Estella Elva (Eacott) 1876

Leila Elizabeth 1880 daughter Isabel, Vancouver

Charles Wm 1882 no family

Ada Rebecca 1886 m Norm McEachran 1902

sons: harry and Roy

Mary Belle 1888 m Otto Knapp

sons: Harry, Charles

Laura Amelia 1890 m Herrick, Syracuse NY

daug: Nancy

Lillian Jemima 1892 __ died

Frances John (Frank) 1892 son: Paul Northfield Oh.

Charles Eacott died of a heart attack in August 1933. His widow took in borders to earn extra money.

_ Margaret Eacott (Maggie), was the second child of John. She married William J. Murphy in what was described as a very nice wedding given her by her stepfather. This may have been in 1894. Margaret and her husband took over the farm left by John. Charles and John Henry sold out their share and their mother gave her share to Maggie. The Murphys moved in 1896. By 1908 they had moved to Ogema, Saskatchewan.. Their children came back to Ontario. They had 3 children, Roy who became a customs officer in Windsor; Elgin who was killed in war in 1916; and Lily who married Stanley Chisholm and had a daughter Lillian. William Murphy died. Maggie then married Ed. Walker of Euphemia. The Walkers lived in Walkerville. She died 1953 age 81 and is buried in Bothwell cemetery. When she died she had 3 grand children and 8 great grandchildren.

_ John Henry Eacott, is believed to have gone out west then he married and moved to the U.S.A., possibly Cleveland Ohio. He returned for a visit between 1912_1916. He stayed with his aunt Jane McCabe and fixed the chimney on the Tanner house. He was very thin and tall and clean shaven. At the time it was thought he had several children including at least one boy.A Lawrence Eacott of Cleveland was 4 years old when his father died in 1918 from the Flu. John Eacott died 22 Nov. 1918 (age 44) and was buried in Harvard Grove Cemetery, Cleveland Ohio. He was a stonemason and had been in Saskatchewan. Lawrence had a brother Clarence 1903 and a brother Roy.

_ Ida, daughter of Mariah and Ted, 1884 _ 1967 married Hugh Clement 1879 _ 1942 and lived at Bothwell.

The Life of Henry, son of Charles 1840 _ 1929

Henry Eacott, whose name was pronounced AYe cott, was the 2nd son of Charles and Margaret. He was born November 1840.

At the age of 26 he had established himself as a householder (Lambton Gazette 1866) perhaps with the aid of his father.

Henry married Elizabeth McCauley, October 11, 1870. He was 30 and she was 21. We know this from Henry's bible which in 1981 was in the possession of his granddaughter Mildred Leeson, mother of John Leeson of Con 13, Camden Gore, Thamesville.

They were married in the Regular Baptist Church, Bothwell. however in later years they were active Anglicans. Elizabeth McCauley was the daughter of James McCauley who came to Canada from Ruther Glen Scotland. He died Feb 14, 1874 at the age of 59. Her mother was Mary Ann Alexander who died May 4, 1914 at the age of 93. Mary Ann came to Canada at the age of 5 and settled at Calabogie near Ottawa. Elizabeth was born in 1849 and had at least two sisters; Mary who married John Gibson and Sarah who married H.L. Farland. Sarah died very Young at 19 in 1854. Mary died in 1908 at 52 years. The McCauleys lived in the area and are buried in the Eacott Cemetery. In Henry's bible is a letter from relatives, Jane and Thomas Reed of 14 Hamilton Road, Ruther Glen, who had just recently visited. Jane was another sister who lived in Scotland.

Henry and Elizabeth had five children: Mary Ann July 12, 1871; Sarah Jane Sept. 14 1872; Margaret Ellen (Dolly) Oct. 14, 1875; Agnes Elizabeth 1881; and Jim Henry (James) Aug. 25 1883.

In the spring of 1871 Henry was living on 72 acres of land at lot 28, con 4 Euphemia. (by the river). He was listed as 29 and she was 22 on the census. In fact he was 31. They were listed as being Presbyterian. At this time they seemed well established. Henry owned three houses, three orchards, a barn, a carriage, a wagon and a pleasure beast, a plow, a fanning mill, 2 work horses, 4 milch cows, 9 other cattle, 3 sheep, 4 pigs. They made 410 lbs. butter, 100 lbs. cheese, 20 lbs wool, and 50 yards of homespun cloth. 40 of the 72 acres had been improved ( tiled). Henry and his wife could both read and write.( Ontario Archives, census for 1871, reel C9901, census for 1861 reel C1040 and Pg # 10, # 30

The early 1870s were good years for the Eacott families. Henry particularly seemed to be doing well. The late 70's were tragic. After his parents death in 1875 and 1877 Henry inherited the south half of his fathers farm. He rented this farm to Wm Tanner who had emigrated from England in 1855. In 1880 (Lambton Atlas 1880) his land near the river was being farmed by J. Munroe.

Elizabeth desired a nicer house than the frame home they lived in. In 1888 Henry hired Wm. John Tanner who was a contractor, to build a fine brick house on the lot he inherited from his parents. The plans were drawn on an old plank. Charles Eacott, now 19, was hired to help build the house. The door knobs were of brass and they were polished each Saturday. It was clear that the house was built for Elizabeth who said that they could afford it.

Henry's good fortune was in part due to the discovery of oil on his land. Oil had been discovered in the Bothwell area as early as 1854. The town of Bothwell was founded on and grew on the oil business of the 1860's. In 1893 oil was struck at deeper levels (365 feet) and by 1896 hectic exploration took place in the area. In 1897 wells were drilled on Henry's land near the river. The oil was hauled to Petrolia and other places by Wm. (Bill) Tanner who married Sarah Jane, Henry's second girl. Later oil was sold at Bothwell. The price in 1902 was $ 1.94 a barrel when Henry sold his oil to Fairbanks in Petrolia. Later, 1916 the Mitchells looked after his wells. The wells became unproductive soon after that.

In 1893 Henry's oldest girl Mary Ann(22) married Archie McGugan in the front room of the 1888 house. At about the same time Margaret Ellen (Dolly) (age 17) left home and went to Detroit to live. Agnes (Aggie) left home to become a nurse and Jim Henry left, perhaps to work on the railroad.Only Sarah Jane lived near her parents. After 1900 Henry exchanged houses with Sarah Jane and her husband Bill Tanner. Tanners lived in the 2nd house south of the river which was painted red. They were far from the school which their son George was ready to attend. A few years after that in 1908 Henry retired from farming and moved to Bothwell.

News item Nov. 11, 1908 Bothwell Times, " On Thursday Evening Nov 3rd, one hundred friends and neighbours assembled at the residence of Mr. Wm. Tanner to tender a farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Eacott who are leaving shortly to live in Bothwell. Miss Laing read an address expressing sorrow and Miss Leva Tully presented each with a handsome chair. Mr. Eacott replied, thanking everyone for the gifts to himself and his wife and said much use would be made of them. Games, music and activities were held before lunch. The guests departed saying that it was the best event of the season."

Henry was described as a tall, thin man of mild manners and an industrious nature. He was thought to be an Orangeman and a mason. Henry was considered a very righteous man and was very respected in his community. In his later years he developed the shakes and could not shave himself.

Elizabeth McCauley, his wife died on their 55th wedding anniversary, Oct. 11 1925. Her obituary in the Bothwell Times read " Mrs. Henry Eacott dies on 55th wedding anniversary, Oct. 11, 1925 age 76 years, 6 mo. Parents were Mr. Mrs. James McCauley, pioneers of Canada. Survived by her husband Henry, son James of the West, three daughters Mrs. William Tanner of Cairo; Mrs M.E. Broadwater of Montana; Miss Aggie of Detroit; and Mr. James McCauley, a brother of Euphemia, only surviving member of a large family. Rev. Hunt of Grace Anglican Church conducted the funeral."

For the next few years Henry was looked after by his daughter Aggie. Henry died in Bothwell Jan 31, 1929, 88 years 3 months. His obituary Feb 7, 1929 Bothwell Times. "The funeral was held at Grace Anglican _ a very large funeral, proof conclusively of the very high esteem in which he was held. Rev. Hunt spoke of the deceased very highly as a Christian and a citizen. He is survived by 3 daughters, Mrs Wm Tanner of Euphemia; Mrs. W.E. Broadwater of Great Falls, Montana; Miss Agnes of Bothwell; son James of El Paso Tex; a fourth daughter died in 1898. Attending the funeral were Mr. Mrs. Chas Eacott and family of Highgate; George McCabe and son of Alvinston; Mrs. Basil Madock of Alvinston; Mrs. Floyd Coulter of Plymouth Michigan; Mr. Mrs. John Leeson of Thamesville; Mrs. Chas. Reynolds of Highgate; Mrs. Mary McCauley and Mr. Mrs. Armstrong of Alvinston. Mrs. H. Eacott, his wife died in 1925 age 76.

The late Mr Eacott was born in Euphemia, a son of Mr. Mrs. Charles Eacott, pioneers of Euphemia and of English and Irish ancestry. He lived on the farm up to to the time he moved to Bothwell 20 years ago. No man was better known in Euphemia and surrounding communities than Mr. H. Eacott and no one was more highly esteemed, undoubtedly a grand man has gone to recieve his reward".

He is buried in Bothwell cemetery under a large, grey granite stone. Mrs. John Leeson, grandaughter, kept flowers on his grave for over 50 years.

Children of Henry and Elizabeth

_ Mary Ann, Mrs. Archie McGugan, Born July 12, 1871 died in childbirth March 27, 1898, age 27. Mary Ann worked as a dressmaker before her marriage in 1893 in the front room of the 1888 house. She had 2 daughters, Mildred Ellen who married John Leeson and who reported in 1981 at 86 a large number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her son John resides at R.R 1 Thamesville. Mary Anns second child Mary married Floyd Coulter and lived at Plymouth Mich. The Coulter daughter married a Diccicio in Michigan.

_ Sarah Jane, Mrs. Bill Tanner, Born Sept 14, 1872 died 1959, age 87. Her husband died in 1947. William (Bill) Tanner was employed by Henry to haul oil. He was from a family of 13 children. He was probable descended from John Tanner the builder and his wife Jane 1805 _ 67 . Sarah Jane lived up near the river when first married. About the time that Henry moved to Bothwell they were living in the 1888 house. They farmed all of their life without benefit of electricity or indoor plumbing. Their children were George 1897_1970, Agnes Sept 13, 1901 _ July 30,1986, and Jim 1908 _ 1969. Neither of the boys married. One died of a heart attack and the other was killed in a train accident.

Agnes became an elementary school teacher. She married Clarence Vernon Cross July 4, 1925 and moved to Hibbing Minn. Later Agnes taught school near Delhi Ont. and later lived in Sarnia with her son Jim. The Cross' had three children, Jim of Talfourd St. Sarnia, (died 1996@) a second son had a disability (mute?), and a daughter Eleanor (Wodchis) of Red Deer Alta. Eleanors children are Tony, Mary Anne, Jennifer.

_ Margaret Ellen, Mrs. Harry Broadwater. Born Oct 14, 1875 died 1953 age 78. She was called Dolly as a girl because of her fine features. She and a chum left home at an early age and went to Detroit. Her employers moved west and she went with them. She married and divorced and returned to Michigan to live. No children known.

_ Agnes Elizabeth (Aggie) Eacott , Born 1881 died Oct. 12 1948, age 67, is buried beside her father. She is known to have lived at one time with John L. Munroe, but it is not known if they were ever married. She trained as a practical nurse in Detroit. Later she came to Bothwell and various relatives came to live with her, including her father. She was very active in the Anglican church and was for many years

secretary of the cemetery board. She was also the local librarian. Her estate, and presumably effects of Henry, were left to Mildred Leeson.

_Jim Henry Eacott, born Aug. 25 1883 died 1968, age 85. Jim Henry left home to go to the west. He married Bertha Crim and they had a child which died. He deserted his wife and eventually turned up in El Paso Tex. He was reputed to like fast horses and was fond of trains. When he died he left his estate to George Tanner for reasons which are not clear. He obviously had no family.

Jane, Mrs. William McCabe, daughter of Charles

Jane, Charles eldest daughter was born in 1843 according to the census of 1861 (Euphemia pg. 10 #38, the 1871 census says she was born 1846). In 1861 she was 18 and living at home with her brother Henry 21, and sister Sarah 12. Jane continued to live at home ten years later in 1871. At this time Charles was getting on in years and he had his will made out leaving the north half of lot 24, con 5 to his daughter Jane. This property included the original family home. Jane lived in this house for her entire life. After she died the house remained empty for many years. This building was the first brick structure in the area.

Jane married Bill McCabe who was nicknamed Cracky Lou. He had a reputation of not being a good provider for his wife. At some point in his life he became an alcoholic. When he married Jane she was at least 30 years old. McCabe moved into Janes house when they got married. This farm seems to have been used to keep them both going.

In 1883, Jane mortgaged the land for $900 dollars. This loan was paid off in 1887. In 1897 she again mortgaged the farm for $1010 and paid it off in 1908. Finally she mortgaged the farm not long before she died in 1916. It was said one mortgage was taken to enable then to homestead in North Dakota. If they went, they were not there for very long. There was a feeling that the mortgages were forgiven rather than actually paid off.

Jane seems to have had a very unpleasant marriage. She was known to have had to walk to Bothwell to shop because they had no other means of transportation. She would at times spend the night at the Tanners next door to avoid her husband when he was drunk. Henry Voght, as a boy lived in the John Eacott house across the road and he recollects Jane as a tall big boned, course featured person. She was noted for the abundance of her waist length hair. In 1914 her cousin John Henry came and stayed a short time. Jane in her last years became feeble and would crawl across the road on her hands and knees to get food from the Voghts. She was to weak to walk. She died in 1917. There was no family. Her estate was left to Charles Arnold, her younger sisters boy.

Sarah, Mrs. Ed Arnold, daughter of Charles

Sarah was the youngest child of Charles and Margaret. She was born in 1849 and was 12 at the 1861 census. At the time she was growing up a school was available locally. She was the only child of Charles to have had any education. Presumably it was only elementary school. The point was made that she never made any use of the education!

Although his will did not indicate any special provision for Sarah it was said of Charles that he gave each of his children a farm. Whether this was true or not, but it seems likely, Sarah lived one farm south of the Eacott lands.

Sarah married Ed Arnold and subsequently had two sons, John the eldest and Charles. John was reported to have moved to the USA and had no male children. Charles Arnold married a Clifford from down the road and moved to the Sombra, Moore area of Lambton co. When Jane McCabe died she left her belongings to Charles Arnold, her younger sisters boy.

Sarah died in 1903 at the age of 54. Her husband remarried and had a stepson A.D. Perry.