November 13, 2025November 13, 2025
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Housewright Thomas Eaton

Some of the most architecturally significant federal buildings still standing in the Kennebunks were designed by Thomas Eaton. The 1984 Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Maine says, “Thomas Eaton’s life remains one of the least documented of his contemporaries; neither the date of his birth nor the date or place of his death is certain. He is believed to be the son of Joseph Eaton of Wells.” Given the plethora of genealogical evidence digitally available in 2025, I thought it was time to give it another go.

Thomas Eaton was born in North Yarmouth, Maine to Josiah Eaton and Miriam True on April 27, 1769. By the time he turned ten, both of his parents had died. Perhaps he lived with his Wells cousin Joseph’s family growing up because he was counted among them in the Thompson Genealogies at Kennebunkport Historical Society. He was called a joiner of Wells in 1793 when he married Phebe Young at Wells and purchased his first property on the Mousam River in Alfred. He sold that land 2 years later. Thomas was mentioned in his grandfather ‘s will, probated at Seabrook, NH in 1798. Thomas purchased a Mousam River lot in Kennebunk bounded by George Wallingford and Samuel Emerson in 1801, adding to it in 1807.

The Kennebunks buildings credited to Thomas Eaton are:

~The Nathaniel Frost House at 99 Main Street, built in 1799

~Judge Jonas Clark’s house at 20 Summer Street, built in 1801

~The Taylor Barry House at 22 Summer Street, built in 1803

~The Unitarian Church on Main Street was redesigned in 1803

~Wallingford Hall at 21 York Street was built in 1804

~The John U. Parsons house aka Bourne Mansion was built at 8 Bourne Street, in 1812

~The Nathaniel Lord Mansion in Kennebunkport was built in 1814

Thomas is also credited for houses in York and Portland, ME. He moved his family to his grandfather’s town of Seabrook, NH where several of his children were born and was for a time called “of Portland. He died in Newburyport, Massachusetts, another ancestorial town, in 1836 at the age of 67.

The Nathaniel Frost House at 99 Main Street, Kennebunk, built in 1799, is also known as Lexington Elms. Theodore Lyman, who had previously owned a store in that location, planted those elm trees on the day the Battle of Lexington was fought.
Judge Jonas Clark’s house at 20 Summer Street, Kennebunk was built in 1801, later owned by Wm. Lord. An 18th Century colonial house stood there when Thomas Eaton added the Federal Mansion onto the front of it in 1801.
The Taylor Barry House at 22 Summer Street, Kennebunk was built in 1803 by Thomas Eaton. Moses Eaton, who painted the murals in this house, sprouted from another branch of Thomas Eaton’s family tree.
The Unitarian Church on Main Street was redesigned by Thomas Eaton in 1803. “A thrilling incident occurred at the close of the joiner’s work on the outside of the building. The roof had been shingled, the stagings removed, and the taking down of a long ladder was all that remained to be done, when Mr. Eaton, the contractor, while looking with others upon the roof, espied a number of small pieces of shingles lying near the west side of the ridgepole which he thought it would be well to sweep off. With this purpose he took a broom, climbed to the belfry floor and thence stepped on to the roof; he had proceeded but a short distance when he slipped and began to descend toward the eaves. A part of those who were watching his movements hurried to pile up shavings at the place where it seemed inevitable that he must fall, while others were removing the ladder to a point where, if they could reach it seasonably, there was ground for hope that it would be serviceable to him. Mr. Eaton succeeded, by judicious use of his arms and legs, in slackening his speed, but still continued to descend until his feet were beyond the roof’s edge, when he stopped. A shingle nail had not been driven home and this, catching in his pantaloons, arrested his progress. A minute later the ladder was so placed as to prevent his falling, and a strong man had ascended so far that by his aid Mr. Eaton was enabled to grasp the ladder, regain an erect position and descend in safety. It was truly a hairbreadth escape. This story is well authenticated.” HISTORY OF KENNEBUNK Remich
Wallingford Hall at 21 York Street Kennebunk was built in 1804 by Thomas Eaton for George W. Wallingford. An 18th Century structure was added onto. Thomas Eaton owned the adjoining Mousam riverfront property at the time. Historian William Barry later lived here. His wife descended from George W. Wallingford.
The John U. Parsons house aka Bourne Mansion was built at 8 Bourne Street Kennebunk, in 1812. E.E. Bourne Jr., the Judge’s son, later lived in this house.
The Nathaniel Lord Mansion in Kennebunkport was built in 1814. Capt. Nathaniel Lord fell ill soon after construction of the Lord Mansion commenced in April 1814 and was bedridden by the time it was finished in October of that year. He remained in bed for most of the winter and died February 24, 1815.
Thomas Eaton’s Grandfather’s will mentions him. Thomas and Phebe were married in Wells. Death records record Thomas’ death at Newburyport March 17, 1836. Deeds at the York County Registry of deeds show that Thomas Eaton bought and sold property in Kennebunk.

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