John Eaton

John Eaton (senior) was born in the City of Brechin, Forfarshire, in 1810 the son of James Eaton, stone-mason and Mary Wood of Brechin. On 28 November 1834 he married Margaret Stuart and in1839 he moved to Ashton-under-Lyne with his wife and young family. Here he initially found work as a stonemason, (possibly employed on the construction of the new Town Hall). He remained in Ashton until his death in 1876,  establishing a building firm and an architectural practice which would span four generations. By 1851, he was employing 44 men in the building firm, but subsequently moved increasingly towards architectural practice, entering into partnership with his two sons, James and John junior, in 1867, the firm being styled John Eaton and Sons. John Eaton was a staunch churchman, being one of the subscribers to Christ Church, Ashton-under Lyne in 1848. Together with his wife and three unmarried daughters, he is buried at Christ Church, where one of the few remaining memorial crosses marks the location of the grave. The family is also commemorated by two stained glass windows in the North transept of the Church given in 1914 by his two surviving daughters, Georgina and Margaret Marjorie.

John Eaton is not included in the RIBA Directory of British Architects and his work has, to a degree, become confused with that of his son, (Colonel) John Eaton. However, it is clear that he alone was responsible for the body of work carried out before the partnership was established,

Address
1841    Church Street Ashton-under-Lyne
1851    119 Catherine Street Ashton-under-Lyne
1861    237 Catherine Street Ashton-under-Lyne
1871    237 Catherine Street Ashton-under-Lyne

Reference    Sheila Blanchard: John Eaton & Sons, Architects Greater Manchester Church Preservation Society Newsletter. Spring 2009
Reference    London Gazette. December 1876
Reference    Monumental Inscription: Christ Church Ashton-under-Lyne