Eaton, Theophilus (c. 1590-1658)

English-born American colonial governor. As governor of New Haven, he was active in procuring the charter for Massachusetts 1629. His administration was, however, embittered by disputes between English and Dutch colonists.

Eaton was born in Stony Stratford, Buckinghamshire, and educated in Coventry, where he formed an enduring friendship with a Puritan, John Davenport, through whom he later was influenced to settle in New England. Before his migration he had a successful mercantile career under the Eastern Land Company, who made him their representative in northern Europe. Following religious persecution in England, he accompanied Davenport to the Netherlands, and from there went to America.