William Eaton (soldier)
| William Eaton | |
|---|---|
William Eaton, c.1807, portrait by Rembrandt Peale
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| Born | February 23, 1764 , Connecticut |
| Died | June 1, 1811 (aged 47) Brimfield, Massachusetts |
| Allegiance |
 United States
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| Service/branch |
 Continental Army United States Army
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| Rank | Consul General |
| Battles/wars | |
William Eaton (23 February 1764 – 1 June 1811) was a United States Army officer and the Consul to Tunis (1797–1803). He played an important diplomatic and military role in the First Barbary War between the United States and Tripoli (1801–05). He led the first foreign United States military victory at the Battle of Derne by capturing the Tripoli subject city of Derne in support of the restoration of the pasha, Hamet Caramelli. William Eaton also gave testimony at the treason trial of Aaron Burr. He served one term in the Massachusetts State Legislature. Eaton died on June 1, 1811 at the age of forty-seven. The World War II destroyer USS Eaton (DD-510) was named after him.
William Eaton was born in , Connecticut. He was one of thirteen children of Nathaniel and Sarah (née Johnson) Eaton. His father was a middle class farmer, who worked as a school teacher in the winter, "an employment for which he is represented as having been well qualified by more than ordinary means for a farmer". When he was ten years old, William's family moved to Mansfield, Connecticut. He ran away at the age of sixteen to enlist in the army. He joined the Continental Army in 1780 and served until 1783, attaining the rank of sergeant at the age of 19. He earned money for college working as a school teacher in Windsor, Vermont. In 1790, he graduated from Dartmouth College. He and a classmate presented a poetic dialogue at the commencement. Between 1791–1792, he worked as a clerk in the lower house of the Vermont legislature
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