Acton was born in about 1673, the illegitimate son of Mary Acton (née Weaver), widow of William Acton of Buildwas, Shropshire (son of Sir Edward Acton, 1st Baronet).
A person named Acton emerged in approximately 1673, being the offspring of Mary Acton (formerly Weaver), who had lost her spouse William Acton of Buildwas, Shropshire, and was the child of Sir Edward Acton, 1st Baronet.