August 20, 1830 South Carolina Archives: ANDERSON DISTRICT WILL BOOK A, PAGE 424; ESTATE PACKET: PKG. 91, Henry Dearborn and William were witnesses to Burwell Carpenter's will
Moved from Anderson County, SC to Calhoun County (then Benton County), Alabama in 1833 or January 1834 when their 1st child William C. was only a few weeks old. He was born October 1833. HD and Peter settled near Henderson's Sulpher Springs about 6 miles from Lincoln, Alabama.
1838 licensed to preach by Friendship Church, Benton County, Alabama
1842 ordained by the order of the Blue Eye Church, Talladega, Alabama. The Presbytery was composed of Elders McCain and Talafero.
1844-45 MINUTES OF THE COOSA RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION: 1844-45 Henry D. Acker was a Missionary, riding 55 days, preaching every day.
September 23, 1844 buyer at estate sale of Lecil Bruton, Benton (now Calhoun) Co, Alabama
1850 Census Source of children Talladega County, Alabama Census of 1850, Family # 1268 Henry D. occupation listed as Baptist Minister, $600 real estate
1850 Talladega Co. AL Deed Book G pg 142(per J. Saunders) 1850: Lewis H. Dobbs (from Pend. Dist. SC son of William) to Henry D. Acker E1/2 Nw 1/4 Sec 4 T 16 Rg 5E 80 ac.
First pastor of the Refuge Church, which position he held until his death.
Died after a short illness
Tombstone inscription "A member of the Baptist church and minister of the gospel 14 years"
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Talladega County, Alabama Wills and Inventories A, p 538
Elizabeth Acker and William C Acker were appointed administrators of HD Acker estate, November 5, 1857
p 572, List of property belonging to HD Acker
Talladega County, Alabama Volume E, p 272, Oct 7, 1859, Order to advertise the estate in newspaper
pages 318-322, Henry Dearborn Acker Estate Final Settlement, Probate Court Special Term Nov 10, 1859, Administrators Elizabeth Acker, wife, and Wm C Acker, son. Henry McClellan was present because he had been previously appointed as guardian ad litem for Demarius A, Mary C, Henry P Acker minors over 14 years of age and Elizabeth O, Tracey C and Susan Austin Acker, minors under 14 years of age.
The heirs who were full age consented to let Elizabeth live on the land for the purpose of raising the younger children of the deceased, until such time as some of said heirs shall move the court to have the widow's dower assigned her.
The court was informed of the names and number of the heirs:
1st Elizabeth Acker, widow and relict of said dec and his children
2nd Wm C Acker
3rd Martha Elvira Hackney, wife of James A Hackney who are over the age of 21 years
4. Demarius A, 5. Mary C, 6. Henderson P minors over the age of 14 years
7. Elizabeth O, 8. Tracey C and 9. Susan A Acker minors under the age of 14 years.
Wm C received one mule, one cow, one feather bed, one saddle ($88.70)
James A and Martha E Hackney received money, cow and calf, feather bed, saddle, spinning wheel ($46.20)
Demarius and Mary each received a feather bed. ($15.20)
Widow received 1/5 of the estate settlement which was $458.25
The eight children received and equal share of the rest which was $249.79 minus the value of the items given to them above.
Volume E, Page, 582, Special Term April 7, 1860
Wm C Acker came before the court to be appointed guardian of all the above listed minor children who were in the care of Henry McClellan, guardian adlitem. The minor children over 14 years of age appeared in court and made the choice of Wm C as their guardian. He put up bond and was given the guardianship.
Will Book B, p 352, duly appoint Wm C guardian, April 7, 1860
Minute Book F, p 87, guardian returns, December 11, 1860
p 566, Guardian returns, May 8, 1862
Minute Book N, pg 260-261: Probate Court Special Term Dec 17, 1878: petition the court to sell and divide proceeds among the following heirs: Elizabeth Acker, the widow, who has relinquished her dower and homestead entered in sd estate, and has consented to distribution to the heirs: William C. Acker, Alvira Hackney wife of James H. Hackney, all of whom reside in Calhoun Co. except Elizabeth who resides in Talladega Co.; Demaris A. Acker, Mary C. Hall wife of Whatley Hall, Olivia McCain wife of W.F. McCain, all of Talladega Co.; Theresa Sims wife of I.M. Sims who reside in St Clair Co.; Susan A. Acker who resides in Talladega Co., H.P. Acker who resides in Hopkins Co. TX
Minute Book N, p305, February 20, 1879, permission to sell two sets of mill rocks, thrasher, tan and gin
Permission to sell land from petition Dec 17, 1878
Minute Book N, p 308 Land that H.D. Acker owned at his death, permission to sell, widow's consent to release her dower right.
E1/2 of NE1/4 80 ac. Sec 4 T16 R5E Talladega Co.
NW1/2 of NE1/4 ditto
E1/2 of NW1/4 80 ac ditto
SW1/4 of NW1/4 40 ac ditto
W1/2 of SE1/4 of SE1/4 Sec 34 T15 R5E in Calhoun Co.
NE1/4 of SE 1/4 ditto
W 1/2 of SW 1/4 ditto
E 1/2 of SE 1/4 swc 33 T15 R5E Calhoun Co.
SW`.. of SE 1/4 ditto
SW 1/4 of SW 1/4
SE 1/4 of SE 1/4 Sec 32 T15 R5E Calhoun Co.
Minute Book N, p 397, court notified that Alvira Hackney was not notified of the sale, July 21, 1879
p 408, August 13, 1879, court satisfied that everyone has been notified
p 450, November 19, 1879, land sold on September 29, 1879, Mrs. Elizabeth Acker and Demarius bought the S1/2 or the NE 1/4 and NW 1/4 of
the NE 1/4 of the Talladega land and S 1/2 of the SE 1/4 of the Calhoun County land, Ignatius Sims bought some, W C Acker bought
some, James Hackney bought some
P 453 Gin, mill stones, thrasher sold, November 19, 1879
Minute Book O, p 63-64, December 14, 1880, report on land sale
p 192, September 30, 1881, announce settlement in newspapers,
p 205, October 28, 1881, Final settlement with heirs $217.86 per heir
p 278, March 17, 1882, I M Sims has paid for the land he bought at sale, convey him the title
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From Martha W Acker email January 1, 2005:
ESTATE OF HENRY.D. ACKER Talladega Co. Minutes pg 162:7 Feb 1858 William C. Acker, adm'r return of sale of cotton and pork
pg 72-74: 1 Mar 1858 Sale Bill of the property of H.D. Acker, dec'd:
Elizabeth Acker 3 axes and 1 mattock, 1 harrow and 1 pick, 2 pitchforks, 2 plow stocks and 1 plow, 1 iron ... harrow, a spade and 1shovel, 1 spade and 1 shovel, 4 hoes, 1 lot of tools, 1 lot black smith tools, 1 box bits, sythe cradle, sythe cradle, streatchers and chain, buggy and harness, 1 sow and 6 pigs, 2 pr gears, 1 grind stone, mules named Sam, Isaac, Jack, 30 doz? oats, 500 bundles fodder, 5000 bundles fodder 2nd lot, 1 negro boy named Isaac,, .. ballances
William C. Acker lot plows, 1 b. ax and add, 1 hand saw and 2 planes, 1 lot of tools, 4 sheets of sheet iron, 54 lbs, 1 sheet iron, 1 waggon, 2 black and 1 red heifer, 25 doz oats, 75 lbs wheat
William O'Rear spotted cow and calf, 1 heifer, 3 heifers,
A.S. Acker blackcow and heifer
L.F. Green 8 shoats
J.P. Sims 1 pr gears
Phillip Quattlebush 1 gray mare, 50 doz oats
A. White 50 doz oats
W.W. Brown 50 pds wheat
G.T. Green 2 steers
Z. Henderson 1 steer
William Anderson second lot plows,
L.T. Green cross cut saw
L. Henderson 4 sheets of sheet iron
J. Cox 2 axes and sprouting hoe, spotted cow and calf, large bull
Anderson White spotted cow and calf
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Henry Dearborn Acker Family Record
copied by Spurgeon Mayfield father of Leonard Mayfield. Sent to Jean Saunders by (?)Mrs. Orlis Mayfield (Mrs. Leonard Spurgeon Mayfield, II) Rt 1 Box 19 Lincoln, Ala. 35096. It is not known who has the original
Henry Darbin Acker was born in Anderson Co. SC 26 May 1813 and departed this life 26 Jan 1856 age 43 years and eight months.
Elizabeth Acker was born 2 Sept 1812 Anderson co. SC and departed this life 22 July 1880 age 67 yrs and 10mo 20 days.
The above was married H.D. Acker to Elizabeth Cox 1 Nov 1832.
William Cox Acker was born 10 Oct 1833 Anderson Co. SC died 23 Feb 1927
age 93 yrs 4 mo., 13 days
Frances Lucinda Acker b. 21 May 1839(sic) died age 4 yrs, 4 months, 20 days
Martha Elvira Acker b. 4 Jan 1837 died 20 Aug 1905
Demaris Adi Acker b. 4 Aug 1839 died 5 Oct 1922
Marry Cross Acker born 4 Sept 1841 died 7 Feb 1917 wife of Rev. W.M. Hall
Henderson Pace Acker born 15 Mar 1844 died 21 Nov 1914
Elizabeth Olevia Acker born 19 Mar 1846 died 13 Feb 1925 heart
Terresa Clementine Acker born 1 April 1848 died 9 Oct 1917, joined Refuge Bapt. Aug 1863
Susan Austen Acker born 25 Dec 1850 died 28 Jan 1918, joined Refuge Sept 1861
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Obituary of Henry Dearborn Acker
"From the 1856 printed minutes of the Coosa River Baptist Association, a bound copy of which is in Talladega Public Library. It was written by William McCain, Chairman, who was intimately acquainted and closely associated with him for several years in the war of our Lord." page 7
Elder H.D. Acker was born in South Carolina, and emigrated to Alabama while quite young. He early united himself to a Baptist Church
giving his Redeemer the springtime of life.
Giving speedy indications of usefulness, and manifesting considerable zeal for the interests of zion, and solicitude for the welfare of perishing souls. in 1838 he was licensed to preach at Friendship Church in Benton Co.
...... the sphere of his usefulness and increasing his capabilities, by a presbytery composed of Elders W. McCain and ,,, Taliaferro, he was, in 1842, in Talladega Co., in Blue Eye Church, ordained to the ministry.
On the 20th of January 1856, after an illness of a few days, the servant of God died. He expressed to his wife perfect resignation to his
Master's will.
Punctual to his appointments, unobtrusive in his manners, industrious in his habits, zealous in winning souls to Christ, faithful
and attentive to the (sick?) and dying, he was respected and loved by all who knew him.
An affectionate husband, a kind father, a good neighbor, a useful citizen, an exemplary Christian, his memory is fragant of good, and his
example still exerts a salutary influence.
Brother Acker aided in the constitution of Refuge Church, was one of the constituent members, was its first pastor and remained so until his death.
W'm McCain, Chairman
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THE ANNISTON EVENING STAR AND DAILY HOT BLAST Oct 17, 1917
"Religion and Civilization Founded by Rev. H.D. Acker"
The subject of this sketch, Rev. H.D. Acker, was a pioneer in this section and state, coming from Anderson District, SC in 1833, and
settling on the line of Benton and Talladega counties, with Indians for neighbors. Probably not a half- dozen white men lived within ten miles of him.
He was the sire of the Acker family and there are many of his descendants who bear his name in both this and Talladega counties. He
was among those who laid the foundation of civilization and religion in these parts, though his career was cut short in 1856. However, the
fruits of his sowing have been reaped by his posterity.
He acquired title to some 600 or 700 acres of good land some six miles west of Lincoln, and near Henderson's Sulphur Springs, where he settled in a two room farm house and kitchen built of lumber hauled from Morrisville, a distance of twelve miles. The bricks that went th
chimneys he made himself on the farm. Those buildings and the chimney to the house are still in service, though the kitchen is now used only for plunder. A new kitchen has been built by the present owner, L.B. Mayfield.
Rev. Mr. Acker opened up a considerable farm in the virgin forest, as was the custom of our forefathers destroyed much fine timber that
could not then be utilized, and which, at that time was of little value, but which would now bring more dollars than the land on which it grew,
though it is valuable land.
Mr. Acker served several churches during his day as pastor, and the service was without compensation so far a money was concerned. He doubtless has a richer reward than the small sum usually doled out to the country preacher, more especially the preacher of the city.
He built a mill and gin on Alligator Creek which watered his farm, the construction coming at a time when it was pressingly needed, and
after his death in 1856, was personally conducted by his widow, whose courage and energy like that of her husband, was measured only by necessity. She believed in doing whatever her hands found to do. She was aided in the management of the farm by her son W.C. Acker until the coming of the Civil War, when he was called into the Confederate army. Then, the only assistance left her was that furnished by Uncle Isaac, a trusted old negro, who led the way on the farm for Mrs. Acker's girls, and who with honest and trustworthy devotion to "Old Mistus", helped them to make a living during that stormy period.
After the war, the old home was sold, and was bought in by Mrs. A.A. Mills, one of the heirs, who later sold it to L.B. Mayfield and wife,
Mrs. Mayfield being the youngest sister of Mrs. Mills, and the Mayfields still own it. Ever since 1833 the property has belonged to some member or members of the Acker family, and bears the name of Pioneer Acker Farm.
The immediate descendants of the old pioneer are two sons and six daughters. The sons are W.C. and H.P. Acker both of whom served in the army.
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