Nathaniel Eaton
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In reply to:
Re: 42 Eaton Immigrants
Rick Eaton 2/04/02
Alan:
This is a biography which was published in the Jan 1954 edition of the "Etonian News" regarding Nathaniel Eaton.
Mrs. Katherine Eaton Winborne of Newport News, VA has furnished data supplementing our article on Nathaniel.
"He was the son of Rev. Richard Eaton, a clergyman of Coventry, England and brother of Samuel and Theophilus, who helped settle New Haven, Conn., the latter being Connecticut's first governor.Nathaniel matriculated at Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1629, but did not take a degree.Three years later he went to Holland and studied under Dr. William Ames at Franeker.He emigrated to America with his two brothers in 1637.They soon went to New Haven but he remained in Boston.He was welcomed for his learning and was made head of the infant Harvard College, although he did not have the title of President.On June 6, 1639 the General Court of Massachusetts granted him 500 acres of land on condition that he would continue there and teach during the remainder of his life.He was soon in trouble, however, and charged with avarice in withholding food he was supposed to provide the students.He was also halled into court for having beaten his usher with a heavy club while two servants held the unfortunate man by his arms and legs.Nathaniel was removed from office, forbidden to teach in Massachusetts again, fined 100 marks and ordered to pay the usher 30 pounds, both fine and compensation being lowered later to 20 pounds each.Soon after he was tried by the Church and excommunicated.Instead of making the payments ordered, he fled to Piscataqua, where he was followed and captured.After giving his word that he would go back peaceable to Boston, he escaped by force onto a vessel bound for Virginia, leaving his wife and children and 1000 pounds of debts in Boston.He had gained credit by fraudulently drawing drafts on his brother Theophilus.In Virginia he secured a position as assistant rector in an Anglican Church on the Eastern Shore and became a drunkard.He sent for his wife and children and, against the advice of friends, they went, except for one son Benoni, but were lost at sea enroute.Nathaniel then married the only surviving child of Thomas Graves of Virginia, formerly of Dorchester, Mass.He later deserted her and returned to England, where he continued his education and received the degree of Ph.D and M.D. from the University of Padua.He became Vicar of Bishop's Castle, Shropshire in 1661 and in 1668 despite his continued bad habits was made rector of Bideford, Devonshire.He died a prisoner for debt in King's Bench Prison, Southward in 1674."
More Replies:
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Re: Nathaniel Eaton
Linda (Noland) Layman 4/10/08
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Re: Nathaniel EATON 1609-1677 England-MA-VA-England m. 2) Anne GRAVES
Jan Rose 8/10/06