John Acland

John Acland (died 1553) of Acland. Portrait by unknown artist. Collection of Killerton House, Devon.

John Acland (died 1553) was described as "the first of the [Acland] family to emerge from the shadows of history as a visible human being". His great-grandson was the Royalist colonel Sir John Acland, 1st Baronet (died 1648) of Columb John. Little if anything is known of his life and career, he was possibly a minor Tudor official, The Acland family is believed to have migrated to England from Flanders soon after the Norman Conquest another ancient Devon family that survives today and still occupies its ancient manor house. The fifth John had pre-deceased his father, the fourth John Acland (died 1539), and thus this John (the sixth) inherited his grandfather's estates at the age of about 17. Hugh Acland (c. 1543–1622) of Acland, eldest son and heir, Sheriff of Devon in 1611. At the age of about 70 he became heir to his wealthy and childless younger brother, Sir John Acland of Columb John, Broadclyst. He was buried in Landkey Church on 22 May 1622.

Death and burial The date 1554 on Acland's portrait is erroneous, probably a later addition. He died on 5 October 1553 and was buried in Landkey church.