When Asa Eastwood purchased 107 acres in Cicero, New York in 1817, it became obvious that his younger brother, Enos, was now the only sailor left of this generation of Eastwoods. Enos continued to balance his family life in Long Branch, New Jersey, with his nautical career, for the remainder of his life. It was on a return voyage from a merchant venture and a visit with relatives in Granville County, North Carolina, that he fell ill on October 28, 1823. He died on board ship two days later (10/30/1823). His crew was able to forestall their voyage to New York Harbor and they located a small bay where they were able to anchor the ship. They then began the arduous task of carrying the body of their captain overland for 40 miles, home to his widow, Sarah, and four young sons, in Shrewsbury, New Jersey (today’s Asbury Park). Older brother, Asa, was devastated by his younger brother's premature demise. Enos' four young sons ranged in age from youngest, Lewis, who had just reached the age of 10, to Nathaniel, who had turned 18 just two weeks before his father's tragic death. Asa watched over the family and assisted them on many levels (financial, legal, and most importantly, spiritually). Eldest son, Nathaniel, had been determined to follow in the footsteps of his father and uncles John and Asa, and took to sea despite the tragic circumstances. Asa notes in his diary (March 21, 1825) "Went to Shrewsbury and saw Sally Eastwood and her three children, Enos, John, and Lewis; Nathaniel was aboating and had not been home for 18 months."

*Author's Note: Asa had affectionately nicknamed Enos' wife Sarah, "Sally", just as he had nicknamed his beloved wife, Mary, "Polly".

The untimely death of Enos so grieved brother Asa that although he had fathered ten children by the time, an eleventh was born two years later,

 To Asa (age 45), mother Mary, (turned 44, just weeks after his birth). He was christened “Enos” as a tribute to Asa's closest, and dearest, young brother.

Asa's eleventh child, Enos, is the great grandfather of your faithful author. Enos was born, spent his entire life, and eventually died, on the Eastwood farm in Cicero, NY, as did his son, my grandfather, Ralph Nelson Eastwood. My father, Robert, (youngest of 8 children), like dozens of Eastwoods before him, also was born on this monumental plot of land which played such a significant role in the history of the Eastwood family. Lewis Washington Eastwood (Asa's 5th child and great great grandfather of Clint) was only 7 years old when he accompanied his family in their move from the auspicious lifestyle of New York City to new beginnings as a pioneer family farming on the banks of Oneida Lake in the tiny upstate village of Cicero. Lewis (Washington) also spent his entire life on the property and died there on Feb. 4, 1863, seven years before his father, Asa, peacefully passed on after reaching the tender age of 89. Lewis W. named his youngest son Asa, after his illustrious father, but with a different middle name (Bedesco), just as Asa had done when Lewis (Washington) was born.

Clint's great granddad, Asa B., was born on the Eastwood farm but was determined not to die there as his ancestors had done. At the age of 21, he married 19 year old local beauty, Emily (Emma) Young, on the farm and the young couple began their exploration of a new lifestyle. While exploring the potential of nearby Rochester (about 50 miles from Cicero/Syracuse), Emma gave birth to twins, Orlo and Mabel, on Aug. 7, 1870. On Dec. 19th of the following year, Clint Jr.'s beloved grandfather, Burr, was born (perhaps on the farm - birth registered as Seneca Falls, NY, just a few miles from the family farm). Soon after, the young family opted to take the adventurous move and left upstate New York for the coast of Northern California. This branch of Clint's family tree (Clint Sr. & Clint Jr.) has remained in both Northern and Southern California since.

Asa Eastwood had enjoyed success in numerous businesses and political positions in the decade after his return from US Naval service. His eldest son, William, was born August 18, 1803 while mother Mary was still residing with her parents in Rockaway, Long Island, New York. Upon his return to New York, he did a short stint as a cartman (a position arranged by his friends while he was still at sea), After Asa became acclimated to the region, he concentrated on establishing numerous merchant marine ventures, many with his brother, Enos. He moved with his wife, Mary, and infant son, William, to a modest house in New York City (76 Henry St.), where his second son, Benjamin, was born on July 17, 1805. Asa's fiscal success followed soon after.

Asa had been an active worker within Thomas Jefferson's Democratic-Republican Party, working side-by-side with NY Governor, George Clinton. After Jefferson had successfully ousted the incumbent Federalist  Party of George Washington, and his successor, John Adams, in the Federal Presidential Election of 1800, there were drastic changes throughout the federal government. When Jefferson was reelected In 1804, Vice President, Aaron Burr, was replaced with George Clinton. Clinton convinced President Jefferson that Asa Eastwood was the ideal candidate for the thankless position of Federal Collector of War Taxes, assigned to the long overdue claims against the Amish in Pennsylvania. In the earliest days of the new Federal Government, money was scarce and most positions were not salaried, therefore, this position was probably not highly coveted within the inner circle of government appointees. The arranged salary was ten percent of monies collected. Clinton was aware of Eastwood's work ethic, but more so, his self-taught intellect, mild demeanor, but most importantly, his devout spirituality. If anyone could convince the pacifist Mennonites (Amish), of their responsibility to pay for a war they never supported, it was Asa Eastwood.

Clinton must have been right, as Eastwood soon purchased a fine house at 154 Front St. in New York City, and within 4 years, another at 18 Fletcher St.

His two eldest daughters, Mary (DOB: 8/29/1806) and Elizabeth (8/14/1808), were both born, married, and died in the Front St. home, as well as giving birth to 12 children (between them). The girls were 9 and 11 years old when Asa and the rest of the family made the arduous trek across New York State, all in two wagons, to their new Cicero home. He took his two oldest boys (12&14), and his 7 yr. old son, Lewis Washington; three strong young boys who would help build a home and begin a hoped for, lucrative farm in Cicero. Left in NY City with the older girls, were 5 yr. old Lucinda, 3 yr. old John (both born at the Fletcher St. home), and infant son, Elisha, the first Eastwood [in this line}, born in a hospital (Brooklyn, NY). John spent his entire 79 years at the Fletcher house, where, together with wife Caroline, raised his three children (daughter, Lucinda, married Samuel Fuller at the house and moved to Michigan).   

Enos closest to older brother, Nelson Perry, naming son (granddad) Ralph "Nelson", after him.