Benjamin Eaton, the father of Mrs. Watts, moved to Illinois from Overton County, Kentucky, in 1812, and, on account of the Indian troubles, they were obliged to live in a fort for six years, or until the Black Hawk war was over. Mrs. Watts was born August 5, 1798, and has lived with her son Lott since she came to this state in 1866. She is now in the enjoyment of good health.279

The Eatons came to Crawford County to settle at Ft. LaMotte (known as Palestine) along with 26 other families under Captain Pierce Andrews in 1812. Dissention at Ft. LaMotte over affairs at African Ridge (north of the fort) caused the William Eaton family, along with others to leave and establish Fort Foot. It was named Fort Foot because the Eaton's were especially noted for their long and narrow feet. The Eaton Ben, Joseph, John, Stephen, Richard and Daniel.11

This is information from an old Etonian News which perhaps may give you some clues:

BENJAMIN EATON OF KENTUCKY

Our earliest information of Benjamin Eaton of dependable definiteness is that his son, John, probably the youngest son, was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, 1796. Research so far has indicated that there were other Eatons already grown or married and with families living in that county at this date and some years earlier. These were: Thomas, John, Elizabeth and Nancy. Further research will doubtless show these to be of the same immediate family as Benjamin. Probably three of Benjamin's children married in Bourbon County, two we are sure, before 1800.

Very dependable tradition has it that Benjamin lived in North Carolina previous to this time. One great granddaughter feels sure she remembers hearing in her youth that he was born there. This, however, is not so dependable as historic information. A great grandson, who talked with old timers in Illinois, who personally knew the earlier Eatons there and were intimate with them, believes very confidently that the early Illinois family once lived in Virginia.

Benjamin died at an advanced age before 1835, hence we are safe in placing his birth about 1740. His children who reached mature age all reached 90 years of age or very near it.

The History of Crawford County, Illinois, places the date of the arrival of the Eaton family in Illinois as 1808-09, and recognizes them as the first settlers in that part of the Illinois territory. During the War of 1812, the Eatons built Fort Foot. The family was noted for its large number of children, their gigantic physique, and especially their large feet, which furnished the name of the fort. The history above mentioned, pays tribute to their dauntless courage, patient endurance, and their prowess as pioneers of the new country. Minor Indian raids were a common occurrence from the first days of the settlement. At one time all the old and new settlers except the Eatons fled from this danger back to more settled sections. Whether the Eatons had a special knack for dealing with the Indians or whether their prestige as fighters saved them is not known. Perhaps it was both. That they did deal with the Indians is proved by a story handed down to newer generations. In these deals one of the sons of Benjamin incurred the hatred of an Indian warrior. Not daring to face the son in open combat this warrior cunningly planned his revenge. Knowing that this son was the one who gathered in the horses each morning, the Indian armed himself with a good rifle and a bell similar to the one used by the Eatons on their horses. Preceding the dawn, he hid himself in the low brushy growth. When he heard his victim starting out for the horses he gently tapped the bell. When he was near enough for certain arm, the Indian fired and wounded him, then finished the work with a knife, and fled for the timber.

It is believed that Benjamin was an elder (minister) in the old school Baptist. One, perhaps two, of his sons became elders in this church and many of his grandsons became elders and deacons in the primitive Baptist Church. Texas historians cite religious persecution as one of the reasons for the migration from this settlement to Texas in 1833. This is absurd, as the Northwest Territory was one of the first sections in history to practice complete religious toleration. The Eatons had both a church and school established in 1817, probably many years earlier. The noble and eloquent Elder Daniel Parker was called to Palestine as pastor of the church in the fall of that year from Tennessee.

Benjamin Eaton continued to live near the original settlement until his death. He died on his homestead and was buried there with his wife, about six miles north of the present town of Robinson. After roads were opened up this burial place was so out of the way that it was abandoned, and the graves were obliterated many years ago by new owners of the land.

From the "History of Crawford County" and various other sources, we are able fairly definitely to place several of the Eatons in the migration from Kentucky as sons and daughters of Benjamin. Doubtless there are other names that should be so placed, but we are without convincing information on them.

Richard, probably the eldest son, married in Kentucky, lived at Palestine until 1833, joined the colony of Elder Daniel Parker, and became the mainstay of his now famous Pilgrim Church established
at the present site of Elkhart, Texas, in December of that year.

Stephen H. went to Texas about the same time, settled at the present site of Beaumont, started back a few years later to Illinois, and died at Nacogdoches. His family remained in Texas.

Joseph is untraced except for a brief mention in the History of Crawford County.

Daniel was killed by Indians in Illinois in 1812.

Job was wounded at the time Daniel was killed. There is no further trace.

- from Jane Edson