Notes:

Edmund Akers lived at Berrymead Priory, Acton, Middlesex, England.

Edmund married Frances Rawlings on 9 Sep 1784. Frances (daughter of Joseph Rawlings) was born before 1784; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Elizabeth Rosa Akers was born about 1785; and died.

Edmund married Catherine Deerhurst after 1794. Catherine was born about 1757; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Aretas Akers

Notes:

Ancestor of Viscount Chilston and Baron Douglas of Baads

Akers was born on the island of St Kitts in 1734, the eldest son of Edmund Akers, a man of English descent, who owned land on St Vincent. Akers acquired his own estates on St Kitts, and much later, inherited his father's estates on St Vincent. Akers added to his position of strength and influence in the islands through his marriage to Jean Douglas, the niece of the Governor of the Leeward Islands. He maintained his connections with Great Britain - having his children educated in Scotland and England. Jean Douglas died in 1768, soon after the birth of her seventh child - Akers did not remarry.
As a substantial landowner on St Kitts and St Vincent, Akers played an important role in finance, business, trade and politics of the islands. The influence of his position is demonstrated by the fact that he was appointed Receiver of the Casual Revenue or Droits of Admiralty for the Leeward Carribee Islands by the British government at the outset of the American War of Independence. This meant that he was responsible for the sale of ships and cargo captured during the war and distributed prize money to ships' crews. He was also appointed by Lord Rodney as one of the joint agents responsible for the distribution of prize money after the British conquered the island of St Eustatius in 1779.
Akers was also active in political life on St Kitts. He served as a represntative on the legislative assembly, but resigned from this position in 1769 as a result of a dispute ostensibly over the Governor's attempt to prevent assembly members who also acted for the British Government from voting for new representatives. As a result of this, Akers and his 6 fellow protestors were jailed for more than a month. After his release Akers may have travelled to London to bring the matter before the House of Commons, although it is unclear what the result of this was. In time all seven members of the assembly were re-elected to it. Akers also appears to visited England in 1774 in order to protest against the war with America because of the effect that it would have trade in the West Indies.
Aretas Akers and his family left St Kitts in 1782 when the island was captured by the French. The family settled in England, but Akers travelled to Paris in order to petition the French government concerning a problem with the Stubbs estate on St Vincent. He spent the remaining three years of his life working to bring some order to his financial and business affairs which had been thrown into chaos as a result of British losses in the West Indies. He was in dispute with the British government concerning the sale of ships and cargo in Tortola, where as a result of the lack of availability of currency he had accepted bonds from purchasers rather than cash. The government regarded Akers as been responsible for the subsequent debts. The Government also had a large claim against him for Droits of Admiralty for Greenwich Naval Hospital, which received unclaimed and forfeited shares of prize money. His financial position had been further weakened by the effect that the War and poor weather conditions had had on the management of his estates and trade.
Akers died in 1785, and in his will vested his estate in Alexander Douglas*, his two sons, Edmund Fleming Akers and Aretas Akers, and William Forbes in trust for his heirs. Edmund and Aretas Akers then began the long process of ordering their father's tangled affairs so that the terms of the will could be executed. This process continued for more than twenty years, Edmund Akers managing affairs in the West Indies, and Aretas Akers II working from London.

* Alexander would appear to be his nephew.

Aretas married Jean Douglas on 4 Dec 1752. Jean (daughter of Rev Alexander Douglas and Isabel Houston) was born about 1732; died on 11 Jan 1769. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Jean Douglas was the Minister at East Calder, Midlothian, Scotland.

Edmund + Sarah Seton. Sarah (daughter of Aretas Seton) was born about 1710; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Sarah Seton held the office of Governor of the Leeward Isles

Notes:

Reverend Alexander Douglas was the Minister in 1718 at Skirling, Scotland. He was the Minister in 1725 at East Calder, Midlothian, Scotland.

Alexander married Isabel Houston on 22 Apr 1726. Isabel (daughter of Andrew (of Calder Hall) Houston) was born about 1670; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

2nd daughter

Notes:

In the family tree, dated 1823, he is recorded as marrying Jean Mason on 8th December 1554

William married Joan (of Park) Mason on 3 Mar 1664. Joan (daughter of James (of Park) Mason) was born before 1664; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lived at Calder Hall, Calder Hall, Kirknewton, Midlothian


(Research):Andrew Houston of Calderhall is listed amongst the Commisioners of Supply in 1704.
Calder Hall appears to have been part of the Earl of Morton's estates. An 18th C. plan for a road refers to Alexander Houston Jnr. of Calder Hall.