Joshua Eaton

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Sgt. Joshua Eaton (May 29, 1757 - October 7, 1777) was the only resident of Reading, Massachusetts, to die from enemy gunfire during the American Revolution. In early 1777 he enlisted from Reading's 3rd Parish into the 8th Massachusetts Regiment, under the command of Lt. Col. John Brooks standing in for Col. Michael Jackson who was recovering from an old right leg wound. His company was led by Capt. James Bancroft, also of Reading.

Reading, Massachusetts Town in Massachusetts, United States

Reading is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, 16 miles (26 km) north of central Boston. The population was 24,747 at the 2010 census.

American Revolution Colonial revolt in which the Thirteen Colonies won independence from Great Britain

The American Revolution was a colonial revolt that took place between 1765 and 1783. The American Patriots in the Thirteen Colonies won independence from Great Britain, becoming the United States of America. They defeated the British in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) in alliance with France and others.

The 8th Massachusetts Regiment also known as 16th Continental Regiment and Sargent's Regiment, was raised on April 23, 1775, under Colonel Paul Dudley Sargent at Cambridge, Massachusetts. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Bunker Hill, New York and New Jersey Campaign, Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton and the Battle of Saratoga. The regiment was furloughed June 12, 1783, at West Point, New York and disbanded on November 3, 1783.

Eaton died on October 7, 1777, during the Second Battle of Freeman's Farm in the days immediately preceding the Battle of Saratoga, near present-day Schuylerville, New York. These battles were fought against British forces led by Gen. John Burgoyne. The Battle of Saratoga was a major victory for American troops, and a turning point in the American Revolution. In that battle American troops forced the surrender of some 6,000 British regulars, and won not only a decisive victory, but much needed guns and ammunition.

Schuylerville, New York Village in New York, United States

Schuylerville is a village in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The village is located in the northeast part of the Town of Saratoga, east of Saratoga Springs. The Village of Victory is adjacent to Schuylerville to the southwest and the Hudson River forms the village's eastern border. The population was 1,386 at the 2010 census. The village was incorporated in 1831 and is named after the Schuyler family, a prominent family of Dutch descent in colonial America.

John Burgoyne British general and playwright, defeated in the 1777 Saratoga campaign

General John Burgoyne was a British army officer, dramatist and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1761 to 1792. He first saw action during the Seven Years' War when he participated in several battles, most notably during the Portugal Campaign of 1762.

Near Eaton's homestead is now located Joshua Eaton Elementary School, one of five elementary schools in the town of Reading.

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