EATON, Vera

EATON, Vera (1906-2004) [SS#546-24-5712], only surviving daughter of Ira and Margaret Eaton. She spent her childhood living at Pelican Bay on Santa Cruz Island, where she was exposed to film producers and movie stars of the silent film era. She left the island to pursue a career in acting in Hollywood. Actor, David Niven (1910-1983), referred to Vera in an unflattering way, without mentioning her name, in his 1975 book, Bring on the Empty Horses. Vera threatened to sue Putnam’s, Niven’s American publisher, for libel. Putnam’s chose to pay Vera an out-of-court settlement for $6000. Half the sum was deducted from Niven’s next royalty payment, and he allegedly left Putnam’s over the incident, because they did not give him a chance to fight the case. Vera Amey died on July 9, 2004 in Fillmore, California at age 98.

married Gibbons; Vera Amey (lived at 10149 Louis Ave., Northridge, CA)

» Niven, David Bring on the Empty Horses New York: Putnam's, (1975)

July 4, 1914 [SBMP]: “Captain Ira K. Eaton returned from Pelican Bay in his powerboat, Sea Wolf, at noon yesterday, to add his handsome craft to the marine pageant that is expected to be such an important feature this evening, in the big celebration. Mrs. Eaton and her daughter, Vera, returned with the Captain for the Fourth of July festivities.”