The Daniels Family

Brass of Edmundus Daniels and Margaret Eivs — Brass of Edmundus Daniel and Margaret Eivs

The Daniels were staunchly Roman Catholic during times when it was not really safe to be Roman Catholic. The family, as proclaimed recusants, suffered accordingly.

(Note: A recusant was one who refused to attend Church of England Services. Such a person was subjected to considerable indignities, such as being unable to go more than five miles from his home.)

During the Civil War these indignities became more extreme. There exists in the journal of the House of Commons, an Order (which was carried out) to search Acton Place for arms, as it was obvious that the Daniels' sympathy lay entirely with King Charles I and the Cavaliers.

In 1642/43 Arthur Daniels, at the age of 24, left Acton and trained as a priest in Spain. On his return he was apprehended as a spy and on 11th December he was hung, drawn and quartered at Tyburn.

In 1708 John Daniels sold the entire property to Robert Jennens for £12,700.

The Daniels family have links back to King Henry III and Louis VIII of France.