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).
Acton was born around 1673, as the underage son of Mary Acton (née Weaver), a widow whose late husband was William Acton of Buildwas, Shropshire, who was the son of Sir Edward Acton, 1st Baronet.