James Acton's first dated record in VA is 1 January 1778, at which
time he refused to take up service against England. Later (20 July
1778), however, he did take the oath of allegiance. Places of
residence are Henry County, Virginia; Asheville, Buncombe County,
North Carolina, on Flat Creek (where he moved after the Revolution);
and Alabama (probably Shelby County). According to family legend, he
bought Elizabeth McCraft out of indenture and married her. She is said
to have been kidnapped in Scotland by Barbary pirates and forcibly
taken to Virginia, where she was sold into indentured service. I have
found no documentary evidence of her romantic tale.
DAR Patriot Index, "James Acton b c 1750 EN, d ante 12-20-1819 KY m
Elizabeth McCraft patriotic service VA"
Augusta Fothergill, _Virginia Tax Payers 1782-1787_, lists James
Acton, 1 poll, 0 slaves, Henry County.
Does anyone have any earlier records of James and Elizabeth Acton?
Kathleen
The Book Doctor
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