No. 9930 Eaton Tavern, painting on brick.
Edward A. Huebener, a former Board member of the Dorchester Historical Society, was a collector of materials relating to Dorchester history including a very large collection of graphic materials, including prints and photographs, now owned by the Society. His very own contribution to this group of materials was the idea of taking a brick from a house that had been demolished and asking a local illustrator to paint a picture of the house upon the brick. The painted bricks may be viewed at the Dorchester Historical Society.
The Eaton Tavern was located on Bowdoin Street at what is now Eaton Square facing the open parks by St. Peter?s Church.
No. 5280 Detail from 1831 map of Dorchester showing location of Eaton Tavern.
No. 463 Captain Ebenezer Eaton died August 26, 1874. He was born on the site of what is now called Eaton Square, and his father kept a grocery and general store, and entertained parties in a hall I the house, which was a familiar landmark. He was at one time a captain in the militia, and retained the title throughout his life. After his marriage to Mrs. Mary Withington, a daughter of Thomas Mosely, they lived in the house at Eaton Square.
the following is from William Dana Orcutt, Good Old Dorchester. (Cambridge, 1893), 439.
Eaton, Ebenezer, 1787-1874
Ebenezer Eaton died August 26, 1874. He was born June 8, 1787, at Meeting-House Hill, in Dorchester, on the site of what is now called Eaton Square, and his father kept a grocery and general store, and entertained parties in a hall in the house, which was a familiar landmark. He was at one time a captain in the militia, and retained the title of “Captain” until his death. After his marriage to Mrs. Mary Withington, a daughter of Thomas Moseley, they lived in the house above mentioned.
In politics Captain Eaton was a democrat, and held the position of inspector of the Custom House many years. After his removal by a change in administration, he became an auctioneer and appraiser, and held the office of selectman. He also represented the town in the Legislature. Although Dorchester was a strong Republican town, he never was defeated at the polls. For many years, together with E.E.R. Ruggles and Lewis F. Pierce, Captain Eaton was a member of the “old board” of selectmen, which managed their part of the town affairs with prudence and discretion. He was also one of the trustees of the Dorchester Savings Bank.
Notwithstanding that Captain Eaton was a blunt, plain, outspoken man, he was one of remarkably good judgment and unquestioned integrity. He was a man of strong prejudices, but had a warm heart, and was always ready to help the poor and unfortunate. He had no children, but took a fatherly interest in his nephews. He is buried in the Old Burying-Ground at Upham’s Corner, where rest the remains of so many of his early friends and associates.
The following anecdote of Captain Easton illustrates his peculiarities. After being elected to the Legislature on the citizens’ ticket by a large vote, one of the deacons in a certain church in Dorchester came to him and said, “Now, Captain Eaton, I voted for you , and respect you as a man and a neighbor, and as you are to represent the town in the Legislature, I want to ask you one favor; that is, that you stop swearing.” “D—–it,” was the reply, “my swearing is like your praying, –neither of us means anything by it.”
no. 23790 Dorchester Old North Burying Ground
No. 2117 This photograph in the collection of the Dorchester Historical Society may have served as the model for the brick painting. Handwritten note on back: From here in 1775 American troops left to defend Dorchester Heights against the British [probably meant to say 1776]