John B. Acton (1781-1849) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree

John B. Acton

Born 23 Oct 1781 in Hagerstown, Washington, Maryland, United States

Son of John Acton and Hester Ann (Ward) Banning

Brother of William Acton I, Dianna (Acton) Black, Philip Acton, Joshua Acton, Joseph Acton and James Acton

Husband of Nancy (Buchanan) Acton — married 17 Jan 1809 in Rockbridge County, Virginia, United States

Descendants

Father of John P. Acton

Died 26 Jul 1849 at age 67 in Eaton, Preble, Ohio, United States

Problems/Questions

Profile last modified 30 Nov 2022 | Created 13 Jul 2016

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1 Biography
2 Sources

Biography

Cautionary Note

I'm not entirely convinced that John B. Acton is the same person who has been described in the biographical sketches as John W. Acton. The findagrave site gives brief synopsis that John B. Acton was a hatter (did not run a wagon shop.) John W. who married Amanda Bryant may be the son of Joseph Acton/Mary Vest.

Needless to say, there is quite a bit of information online about this family, but they give conflicting information. Any help sorting them out is greatly appreciated.

Notes

Charles O. Acton, ex-marshall of Eaton, living at 912 North Baron street, and now a stone and cement contractor, was born in Eaton, May 28, 1877, the son of Joseph P. and Mary I. (Cutting) Acton. Joseph P. Acton was the son of John W. and Amanda (Bryant) Acton. John W. Acton was the son of John and Hettie (Ward) Acton. The Ward family were natives of Pennsylvania, but moved to Virginia during the Revolutionary War and Hettie Ward became acquainted with and married John Acton, a slave holder in Virginia, who operated a wagon shop where slaves were employed. John W. Acton, issue of this marriage, had many experiences with slaves and was much opposed to slavery. In order to secure relief from conditions prevailing in the slave section, he came to Preble county and here conducted a wagon shop for many years. John W. Acton married Amanda Bryant, to which union were born nine sons and one daughter, Joseph P., William C., George, James, John, Cary, Albert, Lewis, Elizabeth and Pleasant, all of whom ar living save Joseph P. and Pleasant, the latter of whom died at the age of twelve. ^[1]

"Acton, John Parks, merchant, Eaton, Ohio, was born in Rockbridge county, Virgnia, September 4th, 1812. His grandfather, John Acton, was born in Acton Place, near London, England, came to America previous to the Revolutionary struggle, and was a soldier in that war. For a number of years he resided in Maryland, but subsequently settled in Virginia. His son, John Acton, father of our subject, was born in Maryland, October 23rd 1781, but reared in Virginia. About the year 1809, he married Miss Nancy Buchanan of Rockbridge county, of that State. In the fall of 1816, he settled in Eaton, where for a number of years, he engaged in the hatter's trade. H was a colonel in the early day militia, and also, an associate judge of Preble county. He died of cholera in Eaton, July 26th 1849. A man of pioneer industry, he possessed great energy and an indomitable will. He was noted for his correctness in all business transactions and general rectitude of life. He was unusually polished in manners, and very greatly respected throughout the community"... (excerpt goes on to give vital information regarding children) ^[2]

(This info is not correct. John P Acton was born 4 Sept 1812 who married Berthenia Stephens ... and is the son of John Acton and Nancy Buchanan.) John Acton (Residence: Eaton, OH): son of John Acton and Hester Ann Warde. born in Lexington, Virginia, 4 September 1812. Married Berthenia M. Stephens (102), 16 May 1841. They celebrated their 50th anniversary 16, May 1891. Children: Nannie (110) 8 Sept 1843, Joseph W (111) 2 Mar 1847, Belle I (112) 3 Mar 1849. ^[3]

Eaton has been twice visited by that terrible scourge, the Asiatic cholera. The most fatal season was that of 1849. In 1854 the disease was prevalent, but the mortality list was not so appalling as it had been in the year previously mentioned. In 1832, which was a cholera year, it did not make its appearance in the village at all. The epidemic came into Eaton and neighboring villages from the west, having originated, or at least first become prevalent to an alarming degree in Boston, Indiana. Making its appearance about the first of July, the dread disease had, by the close of August, almost literally decimated the population. A reign of terror ensued, which, happily, has never had a parallel in the history of the town. Many were panic-stricken and left town, some only to fall victims to the disease elsewhere. Scarcely enough people of sound health were left to care for the sick and bury the dead. People living in the country dared not visit the village; mail matter accumulated to a great bulk at the post office, and business was almost entirely suspended. At one time there was but one store open in the town, that of L.T. McCabe. Those who remained in town and did not contract the cholera, were constantly busied in nursing those who were sick, and many acts of heroism were performed by them. They seemed either to become perfectly reckless of danger or to be borne up by a sense of duty which prevailed over their fears. When the epidemic was at its height, the sexton at Mound Cemetery could not dig graves fast enough, and was assisted by citizens. Cornelius VanAusdal dug several, and other residents assisted. The physicians stood firmly at their post and labored incessantly, their efforts being seconde by several clergymen. The most determined efforts, however, could not stay the progress or the fatality of the cholera. There were deaths daily, on some days two or three, and from that number up to five, six, seven, and even nine. The whole town was shrouded in gloom. Almost every family lost immediate members or near kindred. No one knew how long the ravages of the cholera would last or how sweeping would be its mortality. There were nearly a hundred deaths in EAton, within less than two month's time, and many more in the country adjacent. This number was very nearly one tenth of the entire population of the town at that time. Following is a list of the persons who died in Eaton during those terrible two months, July and August 1849, together with their ages. It appeared in a newspaper of the period: ..... July 25th, John Acton, sixty-seven years .....July 29th, Joseph Acton, Fifty-nine years .... ^[4]