Most Acree lineages dating from the colonial era in America show descent from the following six 18th-century progenitors. The first five were presumed brothers born in Hanover Co., Virginia.
John Acree (c1735-1814), who settled in Bertie Co. NC in the late 1750s
Joshua Acree (c1735-1777), who remained in Hanover Co. VA
Abraham Acree (c1735-c1788), who settled in neighboring Caroline Co. VA
Isaac Acree (c1735-c1820), who settled in Warren Co. NC
William Acree (c1735-1796) - ("William 1"), who moved first to Warren Co. NC and settled finally in Wilkes Co. GA
William Acree (1752-1833) - ("William 2"), who moved from Frederick Co. MD to Guilford Co. NC as a teenager and settled finally in Wayne Co. KY
The animated map below shows where they lived, moved and, in three cases, died - in decade "snapshots" from 1750-1800.
Several of their sons and most of their grandsons moved west and south during the early decades of the 19th century, following the American Revolution. They usually settled near their siblings and first cousins in geographic clusters, as shown below.
Descendents of John moved into northwest Tennessee
Descendants of Joshua moved into southwest Tennessee
Descendants of Abraham moved into east Tennessee
Descendants of Isaac stayed in the North Carolina/Virginia border area
Descendants of William 1 moved into Georgia and Alabama
Descendants of William 2 moved into southern Kentucky
The most prolific clusters appear to have been those of:
John's great-grandson, Edward C. Acree (1808-1845) in Stewart Co., TN
John's grandson, Nathaniel B. Acree (1811-1891) in Stewart Co., TN
John's grandson, Joab C. Acree (1799-1885) in Montgomery Co., TN
John's great-grandson, John H. Acree (1817-c1900) in Bertie Co., NC
Joshua's grandson, Beverly D. Acree (c1792-1844) in Madison Co., TN
Joshua's great-grandson, Thomas O. Acree (1801-1877) in Bedford Co., VA
Abraham's grandson, John W. Acree, Sr. (c1800-c1865) in Rhea Co., TN
Abraham's grandson, Matthew Y. Acree (1796-1878) in Sullivan Co., TN
Abraham's grandson, Ambrose Acree c1788-1867) in King William Co., VA
Isaac's grandson, James Acree (c1809-c1860) in Warren Co., NC & Brunswick Co., VA
William 1's great-grandson, John E. Acree (c1824-c1868) in Lowndes Co., AL
William 1's great-grandson, Albin A. Acree(1826-1898) in Gordon Co., GA
William 1's great-grandson, Allen Acree (c1800-1877) in Banks Co., GA
William 1's great-grandson, Abner D. Acree (c1802-1869) in Meriwether Co., GA
William 1's great-grandson, Wylie W. Acree (1827-1911) in Muscogee Co., GA
William 2's grandson, Green B. Acree (c1816-c1900) in Adair Co., KY
William 2's grandson, Denton L. Acree (1815-1867) in Clinton Co., KY
An Acree descendent today may usefully estimate the identity of his line's early progenitor by defining where his early 19th century Acree ancestors chose to live.
Acree family historians are invited to direct queries regarding their indefinite or undetermined lineage to the Acree project coordinator, who maintains an extensive off-line data base.
If you are an Acree seeking confirmation or extension of your paternal line, please consider participation in the: