Stories from Acton

Two soldiers with the same name serving in the same Acton War of 1812 company caused ongoing confusion.

James Emery, a 21-year-old Acton native was killed at Saratoga.

Isaac Ramsdell died in service in 1780, leaving a widow and children behind in Acton.

An 1828 listing showed that the East Acton school housed 87 students. Research was done to identify them.

A picture of a derailed engine led to research into its origins and its photographer.

Ebenezer Davis Sr. & Jr., known for their bellows business, had many business ventures.

Teacher Ella Miller's commute to work involved evolving challenges over her long career in the Acton schools.

Ella Miller and her family left behind a treasure trove of information & photos from their years in North Acton and Acton center.

Research into Black Revolutionary War soldier Titus Haywood (or "Hayward.")

A question about Samuel Parlin led us to discover more about him at Acton Historical Society's Jenks Library.

In 1848 and 1849, popular teacher Lyman Cutler ran a private school in Acton.

Information about students who attended F. W. Pelton's private high school in Acton in 1852.

F. W. Pelton ran a private high school in Acton in 1852 and put on quite a show of students' work.

George C. Wright, Acton benefactor, was president of the largest coffee and spice company in New England.

A project to identify early Black and mixed race Acton residents from 1735 through 1865.

Minuteman Thomas Darby survived the battle of Concord but died at White Plains.

Charles Heywood, railroad executive, inventor and owner of 2 Acton mills, and wife Ann were philanthropists.

Profiles of the six South Acton women who were the first female voters registered in Acton.

Aaron Woods, hermit and supposed miser, was the subject of national news interest twice in the 1870s.

John Fletcher influenced Acton through his boot and shoe business, advocacy for temperance and against slavery, and service to the town.