William Eaton of Staple, co. Kent, husbandman, born probably about 1607, d. at Reading, Mass., 13 May 1673. The names of William Eaton, his wife Martha, his children John, Martha, and Albe, and his servant Jonas Eaton appear on a list, certified 9 June 1637, of persons who have take passage from the town and port of Sandwich, co. Kent, for the American plantations [This list is printed in REGISTER, vol. 75, pp. 221-223]. William Eaton settled first at Watertown, Mass., where Daniel and Mary, his two youngest children, were born, and were he and Jonas Eaton were owners of land. Later, however, they both removed to Reading, and were admitted freeman 18 May 1653. In Mar. 1658 William Eaton gave his age as about 54 (as read by Perley Derby), and in Nov. 1667 as about 60 (Essex Court Files). In 1669 he deposed that he was then aged about 62, and in 1670 Jonas Eaton gave his age as 52. (Middlesex Court Files.) Presumably these two men were closely related, although no mention of relationship between them has yet been found. [It is not improbable that John Eaton, who was living at Watertown when William Eaton came there to settle and who afterwards removed to Dedham, and Jonas Eaton were brothers of William. John was born probably about 1600, William about 1607, and Jonas about 1618. No proof of this relationship has yet been discovered, and the parentage and family connections of William Eaton remain unknown.] The will of William Eaton, dated 26 Sept. 1672 and proved 11 June 1673, mentions wife Martha, eldest son John and his children, son Daniel and his children, daughter Mary, and sons-in-law Thomas Brown and Francis Moore.
