We really wanted to know more about the history of someone so familiar and yet so distant.  He shared with us his life events, his friends, fancies, the weather, etc., but we were still left with questions. Did he ever marry any of those lovely young ladies he fancied?  Did he have children?  Did he continue teaching or did he move on to other occupations?

    It started by simply "Googling" his name, hoping for the obvious link to a family tree or mention in a historical register somewhere.  That was too easy, of course; there were no public records that we could locate mentioning him. The obvious family trees did not list any Hayden Egleston nor Egliston. 

    As it turns out, the spelling was not universal in days past.  Often the name was spelled Egliston before the Revolutionary war and it was more commonly recorded as a Eggleston after that time.  With exceptions. Hayden seemed to prefer Egleston or Egliston, depending on how one interprets his handwriting.   

  Several of his friends and associates showed up in the historical record of the area.  Eventually we expanded the search.  Hayden was listed as the son of Augustus and Mary Eggleston who married in Columbia County NY.  He was included in the census records of 1850, 1860 and 1870 of Litchfield County, CT, but not thereafter. 

  His father, Augustus, isn't mentioned in the Eggleston family tree records that we've found. Most of them seem to be descended from Begat Eggleston.  Augustus might have been from a different (yet unrevealed) branch of the family, he might have been adopted into the family or been an illegitimate son or perhaps he was indentured to the family and simply adopted the name of his sponsor.  

   In any case, there is an Augustus Eggleston listed for

"The Rebellion of 1861--65

Augustus EGGLESTON, Co. G, 27th Connecticut Volunteers, enlisted 10 Sep 1862" at:

www.dunhamwilcox.net/ct/barkhamsted_ct_miltary.htm

& at

www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=29847

The marriage of Hayden's mother and father may be recorded in a volume called: "Berkshire Geneological Notes #4", "MARRIAGES PERFORMED BY REV. SILAS CHURCHILL AT NEW LEBANON, N.Y-1795- 1851"; in  "Churchill Marriages 6" as:

Eggleston, Augustus E. m 12 Oct 1836 Mary Hcydon, both of New Lebanon

www.archive.org/stream/marriagesinnewle00slsn/marriagesinnewle00slsn_djvu.txt

 Another good source of Berkshire history including some of the characters in this story is :

www.usgennet.org/usa/ny/county/columbia

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That same late night, a bittersweet listing came up in the records of the Hale Collection of Connecticut Cemetary records for the Burrville Cemetary.  Burrville is in the northern limits of Torrington, along the old highway heading north, following the Naugatuck River.

www.hale-collection.com/621-6-burrville-cemetery.htm

Eggleston, Augustus E., died Aug. 21, 1872, age 59 yrs. G.A.R.                                                                Eggleston, Hayden, died May 17, 1873, age 25 yrs.                                                                              Eggleston, Mary T., wife of Augustus, died Nov. 27, 1880, age 62 yrs.

  We really felt like we'd found him.  It makes sense that there were no further records if he died only a couple years after the diaries ended.  We thought it important to  find out if a stone could be found and pay our respects  The next day, I (Jenny Lynn) drove up with friend Andrea and her beautiful daughter.

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Jenny:

     My friend Hayden- his words echo from the past, making the whole cemetery come alive with the entries to these diaries.  I fancy that he knows the content of his writing should be read- over and over- perhaps by his mother or sister, passing it on as a true piece of this young man; then to be given to some other young lady!  Over the years I treasured it as a prize possession, making sure it was safe and cared for, not really knowing the true contents.  To share his story as it unfolds intrigues me and drives me to find out more. 

   I hadn't ever finished reading the diaries because of the difficulty in interpreting the handwriting.  It's taken a long time - and three people - still, diligence and persistence in a romantic gesture are bringing our schoolmaster to light.  

    We know his end will come at only 25 years old; some questions will be answered, many not! I think Hayden would fancy all the attention -- in a humble way. This is also the Caretaker's story with words outlasting the grave.

  The day was overcast, damp, windy and cold for August. The Burrville Cemetary is now a bit off the beaten path- the easiest access is to the back of the cemetary through a parking lot. 

  I felt an overwhelming connection to the place and I knew he was here.  My first thought was to split up and look around. I was drawn to the left side, toward three stones; I pointed and said, "That's him!" I just knew it.  Sure enough, H.A.E. were the initials on the foot stone.

   I could feel the hair raise on my body, my heart was racing and I could feel a connection with him.

    Andrea walked to the footstone and read the  initials.

   Andrea said, "No way! That's too easy, not the first one!"

Hayden

The Family

Father Augustus, Mother Mary and Son Hayden.

Mary Eggleston

Augustus Eggleston

   She then walked around to the front of the headstone and carefully scanned the weathered engraved names. 

   Dumbfounded, she said, " Oh my God, you're right, it really is Hayden. You found him!"

   Just then a gentleman who'd been working across the way came over and introduced himself. Retired, he's been taking care of the cemetery for the past couple years as something to do. We told him about the diaries we've been transcribing on the internet. He was very excited to learn something about the people he's been tending. He gave us a tour of  the entire cemetery and introduced us to the families resting there. Several of them were names right out of Hayden's diary.

  We struck up a conversation and learned a lot about the family connections in the area.  Later, we went for a drive and he pointed out to us the Eggleston family house, as well as the Hayden House, across the street. The Hayden House is actually in the process of restoration at the moment. More on this gem later....

Hayden House

     What started as the cold, damp residue of a stormy night turned into warm, sunny memorable day.

  We'll keep everyone updated as we find out more about the family history.

"WE MISS THEE"

(inscription on Hayden's gravestone)

There still is the question of Hayden's sister and her husband mentioned in the first diary and later in the second book. Our friend at the cemetery has given us some great leads. We've found record of a marriage in Torrington between Milo Cleveland to Cynthia A. Eggleston on March 3, 1864

www.dunhamwilcox.net/ct/torrington_ct_marr2.htm

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9.28.11

The US Federal Census for 1860, Torrington CT lists the Eggleston Family Household as:

Augustus    age 46

Mary L.      age 41

Cynthia A.  age 22

Sophia D.   age 19

Hayden A.  age 13

Mary         age 4

Seems there were several sisters in the family!