The following details have been extracted from newspaper articles.
It is not known if it is the same person or not but, in September, 1867, Mr. Henry Acott, Restaurant-keeper and Miner becomes insolvent. His liabilities are £96/18/8 and his assets are only £30, a deficiency of £66/18/8.
In October, 1867, among others in the outlying districts, Henry Acott's insolvency is considered at a first and only meeting for the purpose. At the same time, Unauthorised Occupation of Crown Land charges are laid by J.P. Gray, Crown Lands Bailiff. Among others are Henry Acott, Axedale, fined 20/- plus 2/6 costs with 7 days default imprisonment.
October, 1871 - Andrew Andrews posts a £1 reward for three pair of blankets, two valises, two coats and one canvas sheet that were lost between the Perseverance Hotel and Acott's Store on McIvor Road.
February, 1873 - Henry Acott, Axedale notifies that if a horse, having been left in his paddock for about 6 months, is not claimed by February 8, it will be sold to pay expenses.
December 1876 - A number of Axedale residents are granted Publican's Licence renewals: R. Eash, McIvor Road; A.J. Harrison, McIvor Road; J. Quealy, McIvor Road; M. Shanahan, McIvor Road; J. Baldwin, McIvor Road; B. Code, Axedale; H. Acott, McIvor Road, P. Meehan, Axe Creek; P. Drake, Axedale; W. Collins, Axe Creek; M. Naismith, McIvor Road.
January 1877 - Henry Acott is granted a Grazing Permit renewal for 130a, 1r, 15p at Axedale.
December 1878 - A number of £10 Hotel Licences are listed. They include: P. Drake, Campaspe Hotel, Axedale; H. Acott, McIvor Road; Harrison 'Bull's Head', McIvor Road; Ann Tierney, Raglan Hotel, Axedale; P. Meehan, Perseverance Hotel, Axe Creek; B. Code, Homebush Hotel, McIvor Road; J. Queaby, Parliament Arms Hotel, McIvor Road; Fountain Inn, McIvor Road; J. Cashen, South Atlas Hotel, McIvor Road.
August, 1881 - A meeting of the shareholders of the Acott Company is held at Mr. J. G. Weddell's office. Ten shareholders were present, Mr. Gromann in the chair. It was resolved to register the company under the no-liability portion of "The Mining Companies' Act 1871" in 24,000 shares of 10/- each. Mr. Weddell was appointed manager of the company. Messrs. Delacour, Gromann, Craike, Sterry, and Rievere were appointed directors. This company is situated near Acott's Hotel, off McIvor road, Parish of Axedale. The company have a lease, containing 12 acres, 10 roods, 22 perches. There is a shaft on the ground already sunk to a depth of 200 feet. Several crushings were taken out, which yielded 1 or 4 dwts to the ton. The cap of the reef has been struck in the shaft, and it is confidently expected that by sinking a further depth of 40 or 50 feet the resources of the mine will be fully developed. The company have £300 to their credit to start with. This article shows one of the shafts at a depth of at least 200 feet, it identifies the date of the mine as 1881 and, more importantly, it locates the site of the Acott Hotel, not in Axedale as I have seen in various publications, but adjacent to the Acott Mine. There is land at that location, in the name of H. Acott, and there are also various remains consisting of bricks, bottles and other items in the vicinity.
August 1882 - The Opening of the Machinery of the Acott Quartz Mining Company, Axedale, is advertised to take place on Wednesday, August 2, at 1 pm. Another advertisement refers to the event as the 'Opening ceremony of the Acott Company's works, Axedale. The occasion is reported:
"Yesterday, a number of shareholders in the Acott Quartz Mining Company, which is situated near Axedale, left Sandhurst to be present at the starting of the machinery which has just been erected on the claim. The Acott Company has been working off and on for a number of years, and about twelve years since, returns from 2½ and 8dwts. per ton were obtained. Soon after this, owing to tho difficulty in working the mine through water, operations were suspended, although at different periods endeavours were made to find the same profitable run of stone above the water level. Lately, however, a number of Sandhurst investors were induced to reorganise the company, and to successfully combat the water it was decided to erect an engine. A contract was let to Mr. J. Marwick for the supply of a portable engine, and single winding gear. The whole was erected under the supervision of Mr. Angus Kennedy, and, being just completed, the shareholders, as above mentioned, yesterday, assembled at the claim to celebrate the starting of the machinery.
On the ground, the visitors were met by a number of the residents of the locality, including some ladies. Mrs. Craike was entrusted with the duty of christening, and, when the machinery was set in motion, that lady broke a bottle of "gold-top" on the revolving fly-wheel, and amidst applause named the engine "The Mary." Mr. Craike then, in a neat speech, referred to the past working of the mine. He then proposed a vote of thanks to the engineer, to which Mr. Kennedy suitably replied. The same compliment was then paid to the contractor, and duly acknowledged. Mr. Craike next proposed the health of Mr. Acott, coupled with the name of Mrs. Acott, and mentioned that Mr. Acott had stuck well to the claim he having for the past sixteen years maintained his faith in the ultimate prosperity of the mine.
Mr. Acott, in replying, remarked that he fully believed that the mine would turn out well now that they had machinery. The toasts of the Ladies and the Press were also proposed, and the proceedings were brought to a termination. The company, which is under the mining managership of Mr. C. Rivierie, has only one shaft on the ground, which is at present about 150 feet deep."
In another article, The Acott Mine reports: "During the past fortnight have been engaged making repairs to dam and cutting races to conduct the water, and started to bale from shaft, which we have drained 10ft.; expect to have all the water out in course of a few days. Machinery in good working order."
September, 1882 - A report from the Acott mine states that 'During the last fortnight, the water has been baled out of shaft 34 ft. About 30 ft. of water remains in the shaft. Started to cut down the shaft from water level, on account ground being so bad above the old workings.'
September, 1882 - Charles Riviere applies for a lease at Golddust Reef, Axedale. It is recommended
October, 1882 - Mr. James G. Weddell, Manager Albion Chambers, Sandhurst, places an advertisement for the Acott Quartz Mining Company: "Wanted an Engine-driver accustomed to smith work."
November, 1882 - The Acott mine reports: "During the past fortnight have been engaged breaking stone from the north end which shows gold. The reef makes larger going down. Machinery in good working order."
April, 1886 - In an article relating to the general path of the proposed railway line, the journalist records, "The Acott mine passed at a point half way between it and the road". This aids the identification of the mine location.
December, 1887 - An article covering the building of the railway line records, "The railway once opens out into Crown lands, passing along between Acott's Hotel on the McIvor road, and the Acott Company's mine, and crossing two small 7ft open bridges." This article identifies the location of not only the mine, but the nearby hotel.