In 1836 Henry Eaton was co-executor of the Will of his uncle Benjamin Eaton of Guestling, blacksmith, in which he was bequeathed £100.
In 1838 Henry Eaton was a beneficiary of his father's Will.
At the time of the 1851 England Census Henry Eaton, aged 40, born in Guestling Sussex, grocer, and wife Jane, aged 41, born in Brede Sussex, were living in Blacksmiths Arms, Guestling. With them were children (born in Guestling): Albert (17), blacksmith on trial, Ann (15), Walter (13), scholar, Gabriel (11), scholar, William (9), scholar, Archibald (7), scholar, Elizabeth (5), scholar, George S (3), sister Mary Eaton (42) of Guestling, unmarried, servant, and father-in-law Solomon Catt (78) of Westfield, widower, agricultural labourer.
At the time of the 1861 England Census Henry Eaton, aged 50, born in Guestling Sussex, master blacksmith employing 1 man, and wife Jane, age 50, born in Brede Sussex, were living in Guestling Green, Guestling. With them were children (born in Guestling): Albert (27), journeyman blacksmith, Archibald (17), butcher's boy, Elizabeth (15), house servant, George S (13), sister Mary Eaton (53) of Guestling, unmarried, grocer, [sister] Elizabeth Eaton (58) of Guestling, unmarried, proprietor of houses.
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Henry Eaton of Guestling died aged 51 years (burial record).
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GUESTLING.—A MAN DROWNED.—On Friday evening, N. P. Kell, Esq., coroner, held an inquest at the police station, on the body of Henry Eaton, aged 51, who drowned himself on the previous day, under circumstances which leaves no doubt that he was of unsound mind at the time he committed the act.
Wm. Catt, of Guestling, labourer, deposed—On Thursday, the 19th instant, I went to "Snepps" pond, on a farm occupied by Mr. Allee, and saw on the edge of the pond a hat, coat and waistcoat. I then saw in the pond the hinder part of the head and shoulders of a man. The face and the rest of the body was under the water, which was about four feet deep. The feet appeared to rest in the mud of the pond. I went and called one of my fellow-workmen, who went to the police station and found the superintendent of police who got a prop and got out the deceased. He was quite dead and the body was cold.
Jesse Marchant, of Guestling, labourer, deposed—The last witness called me to go to Snepp's pond, and on arriving there I saw the body of deceased in the pond without any hat, coat and waistcoat on, but having the rest of his clothes on. On the deceased being got out he was dead and cold. The body was eight or nine feet from the edge of the pond, and it was level with the edge, so that he could not have fallen in.
George Jeffery, of Guestling, superintendent of police, deposed—Yesterday, a quarter before four o'clock, I received information that the body of a man was found in Snepp's pond. I went there, and with a pole I got the body of the deceased out. He was quite dead, and was about eight or nine feet from the edge of the pond. The hat, coat and waistcoat of the deceased were on the ground near the edge of the pond. The water at that spot was about four feet deep. The feet appeared to touch the mud, and I believe he must have walked into the pond, and thrown himself down. He could not have fallen in at that part of the pond. I knew the deceased and conversed with him about a month ago. He said he was not well, and that I did not know what he suffered, and said he should not be alive at Christmas. He appeared much depressed. I told him not to give way to fancies. He passed my house yesterday about eleven o'clock. He was found at four o'clock. I removed the body to his residence and found 1s. 3d. in his pocket.
Ann Geer, of Guestling, wife of Charles Geer, carpenter, deposed—I am the daughter of the deceased. He has been in a weak, low and desponding way for a long time. On Tuesday he kept his bed till four o'clock. I do not know of any trouble on his mind. He had a brother who died in a lunatic asylum.
John Waller, of Hastings, surgeon, deposed—I am assistant to Mr. Ticehurst, of Hastings. The deceased came to consult Mr. Ticehurst, a month ago. His chief ailment was depression of mind. Mr. Ticehurst told me he thought he would become insane. I have examined the body of the deceased; I found no marks of violence, and I am of opinion that cause of death was by drowning.
Verdict—"That the deceased drowned himself when in an unsound state of mind."
Sussex Agricultural Express, 24 September 1861, p. 2
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