Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720 - 1940

There were three generations of builders and architects of this name active in Dublin between the 1770s and the 1840s. A carpenter and builder named Benjamin Eaton is freqently mentioned in the Calendar of Ancient Records of Dublin from 1775 onwards as a tradesman employed on works for the Corporation and was a member of the Common Council of Dublin as a representative of the Guild of Carpenters from 1784-1790.(1)  In 1787 he is recorded as a member of Masonic Lodge 137 in Dublin.(2) He appears to have died early in 1798;  his burial on 23 January is recorded in the registers of St Catherine's church (Church of Ireland). (3)  Three months later on 19 April,  the Corporation's 'committee for inspecting city leases near expiring' reported: 'Your committee took into consideration the petition of the late Benjamin Eaton for compensation for drawing plans of a Tholsel and other buildings for this corporation on the ground where the old Custom House stands, and it appearing to us that said plans were drawn in the most elegant and advantageous manner, by which if carried into execution the corporation would have derived a very considerable annual increase of revenue, for these reasons we are of opinion and do recommend that a sum of £200 be granted to his widow and said Eaton's children by her, and that for this purpose four bonds for £50 each be made out for them respectively, said bonds to be payable to Ambrose Leet, esquire, as trustee for said children.'(4) Eaton's design for a Chinese temple in the demesne of Headfort House, Co. Meath, signed and dated 1789,(5) is further evidence of his architectural capacities.

Benjamin Eaton's widow Mary, (6) appears to have continued to run her husband's business after his death, in partnership from circa 1801 with her son, BENJAMIN EATON[2] BENJAMIN EATON[2] , who carried on alone after her death in 1801 or 1802.(7)

Address: 152 Thomas Street, 1798.(8)

See WORKS.



References



(1) CARD XII, 368-9,382,408,431,455,495,529; XIII, 33,70,86-7,99,164,186,210226,,241,257,293,361,445; XIV, 47,81,128,174,223,294,337,378,419,448; XV, 7,39.
(2) GLFI archives.
(3) Irish Genealogy, www./churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords (last visited, Jan 2016). 
(4) CARD XV, 49.
(5) Irish Architectural Drawings (1965), 14 (no. 62), 287.
(6) See note 3, above. The registers of St Catherine's church record the marriage of a Benjamin Eaton to a Mary Rigott on 14 October 1775.
(7) CARD XV, 71,104,153,184,214,215,274.
(8) Wilson's Dublin Directory(1798).


6 work entries listed in chronological order for EATON, BENJAMIN [1]*


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Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, DAWSON STREET, MANSION HOUSE
Date: 1774
Nature: BE carries out repairs to ballroom, &c.
Refs: CARD XII, 368-9

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, GREEN STREET, NEWGATE PRISON
Date: 1778
Nature: BE carries out works at same.
Refs: CARD XIII, 33

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, BRIDGE OVER RIVER LIFFEY (PROPOSED)
Date: 1780s?
Nature: Proposal for iron bridge 'to cross the River Liffy opposite the new intended Street' (i.e. Carlisle Bridge?)
Refs: Signed, undated elevation in PRONI, Foster/Massereene collection, D562/7710

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, WOOD QUAY, WALL ADJOINING RIVER
Date: 1781
Nature: Carpenter's work by BE.
Refs: CARD XIII, 210

Building: CO. MEATH, HEADFORT
Date: 1789
Nature: Design for a Chinese temple. For 1st Marquess of Headfort.
Refs: Plan and elevation in IAA, Guinness Collection, Acc. 96/68.3/3/11

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, THOLSEL &C. (PROPOSED)
Date: 1797ca
Nature: BE prepares plans for tholsel and other buildings on site of Old Custom House.
Refs: CARD XV, 49