Background
He was descended on his father"s side from a family which had resided in Temple parish for nearly two centuries. His mother, whose maiden name was Perkins, came from Monmouthshire, and he died seised of estates in that county which had belonged to his maternal ancestors for many hundred years. The death of a nobleman, however, to whom he had looked for preferment, obliged him to give up all thoughts of making the church his profession, as his father desired.
Career
Eagles was baptised in the parish of Temple Church, Bristol, 28 April 1746. On 16 September 1757 he was entered at Winchester College. At school he gave promise of becoming an excellent classic.
Accordingly he left Winchester, 18 January 1762, and returned to Bristol, where he eventually prospered as a merchant.
From 1809 until his death he was collecter of the customs at Bristol. He died at Clifton, Bristol on 28 October 1812.
He left a son, John Eagles. In 1811 Eagles was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.