Sgt. Joshua Eaton was the only resident of Reading, Massachusetts

Reading, Massachusetts

Reading is an affluent town situated in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, some north of central Boston. The population was 24,747 at the 2010 census.-Settlement and Independence:...

 to die from enemy gunfire during the American Revolution

American Revolution

The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...

. In early 1777 he enlisted from Reading's 3rd Parish into the 8th Massachusetts Regiment

8th Massachusetts Regiment

The 8th Massachusetts Regiment also known as 16th Continental Regiment was raised on April 23, 1775 under Colonel Sargent at Cambridge, Massachusetts. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Bunker Hill, New York Campaign, Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton and the Battle of Saratoga...

, under the command of Lt. Col. John Brooks

John Brooks

John Brooks was the 11th Governor of Massachusetts from 1816 to 1823; he was the last significant Federalist elected official in office in the United States....

. His company was led by Capt. James Bancroft, also of Reading.

Eaton died on October 7, 1777, during the Second Battle of Freeman's Farm in the days immediately preceding the Battle of Saratoga

Battle of Saratoga

The Battles of Saratoga conclusively decided the fate of British General John Burgoyne's army in the American War of Independence and are generally regarded as a turning point in the war. The battles were fought eighteen days apart on the same ground, south of Saratoga, New York...

, near present day Schuylerville, New York

Schuylerville, New York

Schuylerville is a village in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 1,197 at the 2000 census. The village is named after the Schuyler family....

. These battles were fought against British forces led by Gen. John Burgoyne

John Burgoyne

General John Burgoyne was a British army officer, politician and dramatist. He first saw action during the Seven Years' War when he participated in several battles, mostly notably during the Portugal Campaign of 1762....

. 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.

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