William Akers was born in 1730 in New Jersey. He married Elizabeth Martye. They settled in Virginia and had 11 children and he died in 1810. His descendants through his grandson Samuel and his son Archibald are the subjects of this family history.

" ... about 1740, four brothers ... came to America ... from the County of Armagh and Province of Ulster, Ireland. Their names were George, John, William the 1st, and James Shearer. One settled in New York, two in Pennsylvania, and one in South Carolina. ... One of these brothers is the father of James Shearer 2nd ..."--Pg. 7

The illustrious and ancient Dunne family has ruled over land in the heart of Ireland since time immemorial. In the manor house known as Brittas, resides the family of clan chieftain, General Edward Dunne. His estate agent and cousin Peter raises his brood in the servant's wing. These two related yet very separate branches struggle to secure their futures during the country's darkest, most formidable years. As Ireland is crumbling, the West is rising in Golden sunshine. In 1848, San Francisco lures James Dunne and eventually his brother Peter and sister Bridget to literally create a new city out of sand dunes and gold dust. The Dunnes of Brittas follows three generations of family who share in each other's triumphs and tragedies finally discovering that their strength doesn't derive from their separate branches but their common roots.