Acton was lauded as "blessed with very sweet air" in 1706 by rector urging a friend in verse to move there. The fashion for medicinal waters brought a brief period of fame, with the exploitation of the wells at Old Oak common, when East Acton and Friars Place were said to be thronged with summer visitors, who had brought about improvement in the houses there. Although high society had left Acton by the mid 18th century, many professional and military men bought houses there, sometimes including a small park, until well into the 19th century.
The Acton Parish Registers are ranged in five volumes. Volume I is a long, narrow volume, bound in morocco. It contains Baptisms, 1538 to 1669; Marriages, 1566 to 1689; Burials, 1566 to 1684.
Volume II has been rebound, like Volume I. It contains Burials, 1726 to 1758; Baptisms, 1726 to 1758; Marriages, 1726 to 1753.
Volume III is a clasped book, containing Marriages from 1754 to 1760, and 1783 to 1794.
Volume IV contains only Banns and Marriages from 1760 to 1782.
Volume V contains Marriages, from 1794 to 1812 ; Baptisms, 1795 to 1812 ; Burials 1795 to 1812.
