Holmes "Directory of Ancestral Heads" calls Theophilus the eldest son. He was educated at Merton College, Oxford University. As a youth, Eaton went to London as a merchant apprentice. In 1579 a company of merchants had been incorporated for an exclusive trade to the Baltic, called "The Fellowship of East-Land Merchants. In 1612 the English merchants of the East Indian Company first united in a joint-stock, and Christian IV of Denmark established an East India Company at Copenhagen and sent four ships to the East Indies. In 1617 he and James I of England built a castle and town at Fraquebar on the coast of Coromandel. Theophilus began his own commercial enterprise trading with Baltic seaports, and his successes in business resulted in his election as deputy governor of the East-Land Company and also in his appointment to the court of Denmark as agent for Charles I.

In 1611 he was a freeman of London. There he married (1) Grace Hiller, by whom he had one child. His wife and child died in London. Theophilus married (2) Anne (Lloyd) Yale, widow of David Yale. Roberts places the marriage in 1625, but other sources give dates as late as "before 1628."
When he returned to London after his residence in Copenhagen, Eaton became interested in the settlement of New England. Theophilus was one of the founders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, named in the grant of James I, dated March 4, 1628-1629. He was assistant to the Governor and Company of that Colony 1629-1630. Eaton had adopted firm Puritan beliefs, he joined his boyhood friend John Davenport and several Puritan followers in migrating to New England, coming to Boston on the "Hector" 26 June 1637.
But instead of settling in Massachusetts Bay, they established an independent colony at New Haven (Quinnipiac) in April 1638. He was Magistrate there in 1639. In 1643 he was one of the signers of the Articles of Confederation of the United Colonies. In the same year was Commissioner of the United Colonies and first Governor of the New Haven Colony, which office he held until his death in 1657. The next year Eaton was elected governor of the colony, and he was reelected annually until his death. In 1655 he and Davenport drew up a new legal code for New Haven colony. As governor, Eaton also became involved in various mercantile endeavours, some of which provoked tensions with the Dutch in neighbouring New Netherlands. The last years of his life, however, were devoted primarily to agricultural pursuits, along with his duties as governor.
According to the Browne/Foster genealogy, Governor Eaton lived in the finest house in New Haven, said to have contained twenty-seven rooms. It was located in the north side of Elm Street, between Church and State Streets.
His death is recorded in "Decease of the Fathers of New England" (NEHGR 1:287): "1657 Jan 7, Gov. Theophilus Eaton of Connecticut d., a. 66"
The probate records show: " Will of 'the Honorable late Governor of this Colony,' made Aug 12, 1656. Bequeaths to wife Ann property in England, 'being in ye parish of Great Budworth in ye county of Chester,' one-third of estate in New England, and 'in token of my love fifty pounds more.' The sum of L100, received of Mr. John Evans of London through Mr. Nathaniel Riley, to be used for the good of New Haven, has already been delivered to Mr. Davenport. Bequeaths to Mr. Hobson in London, to niece Mary Low, daughter of his sister Hannah, to son-in-law Thos. Yale, to son-in-law Edward Hopkins, to son-in-law Valentine Hill, "late of Boston, since living in Piscataway," L200 as portion of his children, and to John Davenport. Remainder of estate divided among children Theophilus, Mary and Hannah. Wife Ann and Edward Hopkins are made executors. Proved May 30 1658. Inventory taken by Matthew Guilbert, John Wakeman, and Richard Miles, L1515: 12: 06."
Theophilus Eaton was a Knight of the Bath.

sources:
Sources:
Title: The Royal Descents of 500 Immigrants
Author: Gary Boyd Roberts
Abbrev: Roberts
Publication: Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1993
Abbrev: Royal Descents of 500 Immigrants
Page: pp. 321-322
Note: Roberts cites TAG 52 (1976): 142-44; Peter C. Bartrum "Welsh Genealogies AD 300-1400", 8 Volumes (1974) pp. 446-47, 867, 869, 512; and "Welsh Genealogies 1400-1500", 18 Volumes (1983) pp. 975, 1288-89.
Title: Record of My Ancestry
Author: Caroline Hamlin Sanford
Abbrev: Caroline Sanford
Publication: Handwritten book, prepared 1890-1910
Abbrev: Record of My Ancestry
Title: New England Historical & Genealogical Register
Publication: Boston, MA: New England Historic-Genealogical Society, 1847-
Abbrev: NEHGR
Page: 81:123-124 Early Probate Records of New Haven. Eaton, Theophilus
Title: Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England
Author: James Savage
Abbrev: James Savage
Publication: Originally published 1860-1862. Reprint published Baltimore MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994
Abbrev: Genealogical Dictionary
Page: 2:96-97
Title: Browne, Foster & Related Families
Author: Florence A. Browne
Abbrev: Browne
Publication: West Hartford, CT: 1967
Abbrev: Browne/Foster
Page: pp. 47-48
Title: The Biographical Cyclopaedia of American Women
Author: Mabel Ward Cameron
Abbrev: Cameron
Publication: New York: The Halvord Publishing Company, Inc, 1924
Abbrev: Biographical Cyclopaedia
Page: 1:358
Title: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publication: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., 1997
Abbrev: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Page: Eaton, Theophilus
Title: Lloyd-Yale-Eaton Royal Descent
Author: Henry B. Hoff
Abbrev: Hoff
Publication: New Haven: The American Genealogist, 1965, Vol. 52
Abbrev: Lloyd-Yale-Eaton
Page: pp. 142-144
Title: Directory of Ancestral Heads
Author: Frank Holmes
Abbrev: Frank Holmes
Abbrev: Directory of Ancestral Heads
Page: p. 72
Title: New England Marriages Prior to 1700
Author: Clarence Almon Torrey
Abbrev: Torrey
Publication: Baltimore MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1985 & 1992
Abbrev: New England Marriages
Page: p. 241
Text: Theophilus Eaton (1591-1658) & 1/wf Grace Hiller; in Eng, London?, 3 Dec 1622, St. Mary Woolchurch, London
Title: New England Marriages Prior to 1700
Author: Clarence Almon Torrey
Abbrev: Torrey
Publication: Baltimore MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1985 & 1992
Abbrev: New England Marriages
Page: p. 241
Text: Theophilus Eaton (1591-1658, 1657?, New Haven) & 2/wf Ann (Lloyd) Yale (-1659), w Thomas
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ources:
Title: Lloyd-Yale-Eaton Royal Descent," "The American Genealogist, Vol. 52
Author: Henry B. Hoff
Publication: 1976
Repository:
Note: Morristown Free Public Library, Morristown, NJ
Call Number:
Media: Magazine
Page: pg. 144
Title: Genealogical & Family History of the State of Connecticut, Vol. I
Author: William Richard Cutter
Publication: NY: 1911; repr. by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1997
Repository:
Call Number:
Media: Book
Page: pg. 219
"Yales of America"
Title: Inscriptions on the Grave Stones in the Grave Yards of Northampton and Other Towns in the Valley of the Connecticut
Author: Transcribed by Thomas Bridgman
Publication: Hopkins, Brigman & Co., 1850: repr. Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1996
Repository:
Note: ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ma/hampshire/c...pshirecemeteries.txt
Call Number:
Media: Book
Page: pg. 210
"Higginson," English Origins of New England Families CD, Series 2, Vol. 2, pg. 342.
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1658/9, 20 Mar: Date of a deed of indenture; Theophilus Eaton of Dublin in Ireland, Esquire, son and heir to Theophilus Eaton, Governor, late of New Haven in New England, of one part, and Hannah Eaton of London, spinster, daughter of Theophilus Eaton, and Thomas Yale of New Haven in New England, Gentleman, of the other part, conveyed the estate of Gov. Eaton. An agreement made by some of his heirs is on the New Haven County records. Among them are Andrew Morrison, in right of his wife Sarah, and John Morgan, in right of his wife Elizabeth. These women are spoken of as children of the whole blood of William Jones, Esq.
'Jones's Bridge' in Guilford took its name from him.
1660, 27 Jul: Arrived at Boston with his sons William and Nathaniel (by his first wife) on the same ship with Whaley and Goffe.
Assistant and deputy Governor of the Colony of New Haven.
1678: Assistant of United Colony of CT.
1689/90, 3 Mar: Deed dated, 'sometime of Martins-in-the-Fields, Westminster, Esquire, now of New Haven in the county of New Haven in New England, Planter".

Name: THEOPHILUS EATON 2
Birth: AUG 1591 in Stony Stratford, Buckshire, England 1
Birth: AUG 1591 in STRADTFORD, ENG 2
Death: 7 JAN 1657/58 in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut 1
Death: 1658 2
Baptism: returned to London w/wife who bordered on insanity from strict church; 2
Burial: arr Mass 1637, became magistrate; to Conn 1638 where he was founder; Gov; 2
Christening: wealthy merchant of London; 2
CONF: made will 12Aug1656; proved 31May1685; extensive prop in Eng & colonies; 2

Made will 12Aug1656; proved 31May1685; extensive prop in Eng & colonies; 1

Governor Eaton was one of the commissioners that formed the " United Colonies of New England" in May 1643, and in 1646 he proposed to the Dutch governor, Kieft, to settle all differences with him by arbitration. On his arrived in New Haven, Eaton attempted to carry on his old mercantile pursuits, but soon abandoned them for agriculture. In person he was handsome and of commanding figure, and, although strict and severe in religious matters, he was affable and courteous.

His brother, Samuel Eaton, clergyman, born in England about 1597; died in Denton, Lancashire, England, 9 June 1665, was educated at Magdalen College, Cambridge, receiving the degree of B. A. in 1624, and that of M.A. in 1628. Shortly after leaving the University he took orders in the Church of England, but could not conscientiously conform to its usages, and came to New England with his brother Theophilus ill 1637, becoming assistant pastor with John Davenport at New Haven. He differed from his colleague ill respect to the principles of civil government, and returned to England in 1640, with the design of gathering a company to settle Toboket (afterward Branford), of which a grant had been made to him. After leaving New Haven he preached for some time in Boston, where an unsuccessful attempt was made to secure his services permanently.

On reaching England he found such an improvement in the civil and ecclesiastical condition of the country that he remained there till his death, holding various pastorates. In 1662 he was silenced by the act of uniformity. His publications included "Defence of Sundry Positions and Scriptures alleged to justify the Congregational Way" (1645; second part, 1646); " the 31istery of God Incarnate" (1650); " Treatise of the Oath of Allegiance and Covenant" (1650); and " Human Life" in seventeen sermons (London, 1764).

Another brother, Nathaniel Eaton, educator, born in England about 1609; died in London after 1660, was educated at Franeker, in the Netherlands, and it is said that he entered the order of Jesuits. He came to New England with his brothers, and in 1637 was appointed first professor of the school (afterward Harvard College) that had been established by the legislature in the preceding year. Mather speaks of him as "a Blade who marvelously deceived the Expectation of Good Men concerning him, for he was One fitter to be Master of a Bridewell than a College; and though his Avarice was notorious, yet his Cruelty was more Scandalous than his Avarice. He was a Rare Scholar himself, and he made many more such; but their Education truly was in the School of Tyrannus." His pupils complained of bad food and ill treatment, and in September 1639, Eaton was fined 100 marks for beating his usher, Nathaniel Bnscoe, "with a cudgel," and was removed from his post. He fled to Virginia, leaving debts amounting to £1,000, and was afterward excommunicated by the Cambridge Churches. Winthrop says that "in Virginia he took upon him to be a minister, but was given up of God to extreme pride and sensuality, being usually drunken, as the custom is there." He returned to England in 1645, and after the restoration became a parish minister in Biddeford, Devonshire. He was afterward put into the King's bench prison for debt, "where," says Mather, "he did at length pay One Debt, namely, that unto Nature, by Death."

Arr Mass 1637, became magistrate; to Conn 1638 where he was founder; Governor
He was the son of Rev Richard Eaton and became a merchant for the Baltic Company in London where he married his first wife, Grace Hillier. He was sent on a diplomatic mission to Denmark and later resumed his mercantile career. He was a parishioner in Rev. John Davenport's church in London [St Stephen Colemanand became a member of the company when Davenport decided to immigrate.
He was accompanied by his stepson, Elihu Yale, patron of Yale College. The party decided to move south rather than remain in Massachusetts and settled at Quinnipiac in March 1638. After purchasing the property for 13 English coats, the settlers named it New Haven. Eaton was chosen the first governor of New Haven Colony and served until his death in 1658. He was one of the commissioners who later formed the United Colonies of New England. In New Haven he soon turned to agriculture. He was said to be handsome and of a commanding figure and although strict and severe in religious matters was affable and courteous.

In 1680 a 500 acre plot of land was used to pay off a debt to Governor Theophilis Eaton. This parcel makes up most of northern Westborough. In 1682 Eaton's 500 acres was split into thirds and sold off to John Brigham, Thomas Brigham, and Samuel Fay.

Finding himself at odds again, he decided to set sail for America. At the age of forty with his faithful friend Theophilis Eaton and a band of faithful followers they set sail aboard the Hector on the twenty- sixth of June, 1637. This was seventeen years after the settlement of Plymouth and seven years after John Winthrop and John Cotton settled in Boston. John Davenport who was the Governor of the Massachusetts Bay colony had come from a wealthy family in England, a family who had large land holdings. It is important to understand that John Davenport although, a clergyman, was a man who understood the finer things of life and was very pragmatic in this undertaking. Theophilis Eaton was a man of wealth and was in a position to help significantly finance this trip. When he arrived in New Haven Theophilis Eaton built a sixteen room house!