John Acton (abt. 1750 - 1793)

Born about 1750 in Acton Place near London, England

Husband of Hester Ann (Ward) Banning — married about 1780 in Washington County, Maryland, United States

Descendants

Died 24 Dec 1793 at about age 43 in Rockbridge, Virginia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Skye Sonczalla [send private message] and Ronald Todd [send private message]

Biography

John Acton is British.

Cautionary Note: Much of the information I have found regarding John and Hester's son John is conflicting. I believe I have sorted out that John B. who married Nancy Buchanan is the son of John and Hester. John W. who married Amanda Bryant may be the son of Joseph Acton/Mary Vest.

• "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) ^[1]

• 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. ^[2]

• 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. North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000 ^[3]

Historical Notes

• Washington County, Maryland was formed on September 6, 1776 by the division of Frederick County.

• Rockbridge County, VA was formed in 1778 from Augusta and Botetourt Counties. However, the settlement within the bounds of present day Rockbridge began in 1737, in Borden's Grant.

Timeline

• ?1750 John Acton born in ?Acton Place, Devon, England
• ?1774 John Acton listed in U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500-1900s (b. abt. 1750 and arrived in Philadelphia)
• 1780 John Acton married Hester Ward in Hagerstown/Washington Co/MD
• 1781 son John B. Acton born in Hagerstown/MD
• 1782 son William Acton born in Hagerstown/MD
• 1783 dau Dianna Acton born in Hagerstown/MD
• 1789 son Joshua Acton born in Hagerstown/MD
• 1789 son Philip Acton born in Hagerstown/MD
• 1790 son Joseph Acton born in Hagerstown/MD
• 1792 land transfer Hampshire Co/W.Va in the name of John Acton
• 1793 John dies in Rockbridge Co/VA
• 1794 son James Acton born in Botetourt?/VA
• 1796 land transfer Botetourt Co/VA w/part in Rockbridge Co/VA in the name of John Acton

Sources

1. ↑ Brennan, Joseph Fletcher; A Biographical Cyclopedia and Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Men Pt2; https://books.google.com/books?id=ZwM2AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA229&lpg=PA229&dq=john+acton+rockbridge+virginia&source=bl&ots=4N9z3750g0&sig=pRhNpyNW5dIU7JsadJ_Qidvgoi0&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjm4NK6wLPUAhUH94MKHUW-BWAQ6AEISzAG#v=onepage&q=john%20acton%20rockbridge%20virginia&f=false; accessed 6/10/2017
2. ↑ History of Preble County, Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions by Robert Eaton Lowry. p. 504 [1]
3. ↑ Ancestry.com. North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000 [database on-line. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. ]

• 1790 Census: Charles County, MD pg. 543 1790 Census Charles County, Maryland
• http://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/acton/600/

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "Pedigree Resource File," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/2:2:39DV-GTF : accessed 2016-07-19), entry for John /Acton/.

Research Notes

• The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society), Vol. 63 / Page 352, OCT 1909, Secondary quality. John Acton / Age 24 / Occupation: Groom / From: Leicester / Ship: Sally / To: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania / As: Indentured Servant. This may or may not be the John Acton who marries Hester Ward, however it is a very good match. The age is right, and although he's not arriving in Maryland, Philadelphia is geographically quite close. The main thing not matching is the Devon claim. To my knowledge no one has found evidence that an Acton Place in Devon exists and Acton seems not to be a common name in Devon either. http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:John_Acton_(10)

• May/2005, Rockbridge County Courthouse (Lexington, VA) replied to my letter, they could not find any information on any Actons in their entire probate index between the dates of 1778-1925.

• Possible connection to: DAR lists a James Acton; Service VA; Rank: Patriotic Service, b. circa 1750 England, death ante 12-20-1819 in Garrard Do, KY. Service Source: Hill, History of Henry Co, VA pg. 304. Residence in Henry Co, VA, Spouse: Elizabeth McCraft.

• Possible connection: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Acton-11