Allen Notables and Anecdotes

This page contains information and stories related to all members of note of this Allen family line. If you find errors or omissions, or if you have related stories to share please send Email.

 (last update 24 Sep 2003)

Joseph Grigsby (1771-1841). Father-in-law of Nathaniel Allen and a cotton planter of Grigsby’s Bluff represented Jefferson County in the Second, Third, and Fifth Texas Congresses.

Nathaniel Allen (1782-1852). Son of William Allen and Keziah Anders. When in 1814, the British launched their campaign on the Gulf Coast, Nathaniel enlisted in the 2nd Division, 12th & 13th Regiments Consolidated Louisiana Militia along with brother John and brother-in-law John Stephenson. They served during 1814-1815. He was present at the Battle of New Orleans. Nathaniel lived in the Bevil District of Texas during the Texas Revolution but no record of his participation in that conflict have been found. Family lore states that Nathaniel was killed in the Battle of San Jacinto during the Texas war of independence. This does not appear to be true as no official record has been found. The only Allen known to have been at San Jacinto was Captain John Melville Allen, no known relationship to our Allen line.

Peter Allen (1785-1852). Son of William Allen and Keziah Anders. It is believed that Peter served during the War of 1812, probably with the Alabama Militia. He was fairly well-to-do. In 1830 he owned 12 slaves. In 1834 he paid property taxes of $5.10 for 3 horses, 6 male slaves ages 5 to 10, 6 female slaves ages 10 to 16, and two adult (male and female) slaves. He executed 12 federal land transactions in 1839. Family lore states that he was visited at his home in Johnson County, Arkansas on several occasions by Samuel Houston as Samuel traveled between Indian Territory and points east by way of the Arkansas River. Family lore states that Samuel Houston's first wife, Elizabeth Allen, was related to Peter but this relationship has not been established.

John Stephenson (c1788-c1838). Husband of Lydia, daughter of William Allen and Keziah Anders. John was the husband of Lydia Allen. When in 1814, the British launched their campaign on the Gulf Coast, Nathaniel enlisted in the 2nd Division, 12th & 13th Regiments Consolidated of Louisiana Militia along with brother-in-laws Nathaniel and John Allen. They served during 1814-1815 and fought in the Battle of New Orleans. John and Lydia moved to the Bevel District of Mexican Texas. When Santa Anna laid siege to the Alamo Captain Benjamin F. Harper immediately raised a company of twenty-eight men at Beaumont, including John Stephenson. At Liberty, Harper’s company was merged with Captain William M. Logan’s company and set out for San Antonio. They did not make it before the Alamo fell.  Samuel Houston took control of the remaining Texas Army and retreated eastward with Santa Anna in pursuit in what became known as the Running Scrape. Captain's Harper and Logan joined Houston at Buffalo Bayou, a few miles southeast of the current city of Houston and they marched to San Jacinto where they defeated Santa Anna. John's name was omitted from the official San Jacinto rolls printed in 1836. Captain Logan, however, in Service Record No. 992, certified that John served in his company from March 6 to June 6, 1836, and participated in the battle of San Jacinto.

William Allen (1790-c1850). Son of William Allen and Keziah Anders. William migrated to Mexican Texas in the late 1820's. When the Texas Revolution began and Samuel Houston mustered an army at San Antonio de Béxar, Captain James Chessher, the long-time ferryman over Pine Island Bayou, mustered a company of Jefferson and Jasper County volunteers, including William and several if his brothers and joined Sam Houston's forces at Bexar. In August 1836 he was a 2nd Lt. in Captain John Byrd's company. William later served in Captain John Hart's Company, the Fannin County Mounted Gunmen, 2nd Regiment, 4th Brigade, Texas Militia in 1838.

Charles Antonio Myers (1790-1840) son of John Frederick and Ann Elizabeth Meyers; wife of Mary Elizabeth Allen, served during the War of 1812 as Private in the 1st (DeClouet's) Drafted Regiment, Louisiana Militia.

John Benjamin Allen (1795-1864). Son of William Allen and Keziah Anders. When in 1814, the British launched their campaign on the Gulf Coast, John enlisted in the 2^nd Division, 12^th & 13^th Regiments Consolidated of Louisiana Militia along with brother Nathaniel and brother-in-law John Stephenson. They served during 1814-1815 and fought in the Battle of New Orleans. John migrated to the Bevil District, Mexican Texas in the 1820's. When Santa Anna laid siege to the Alamo Captain Benjamin F. Harper immediately raised a company of twenty-eight men at Beaumont, including John Allen. At Liberty, Harper’s company was merged with Captain William M. Logan’s company and set out for San Antonio. They did not make it before the Alamo fell. After the fall of the Alamo Samuel Houston took control of the remaining Texas Army and retreated eastward with Santa Anna in pursuit in what became known as the Running Scrape. Captain George W. Hargraves with twenty-one men, including John and one other Allen, marched to join Houston in San Jacinto but did not arrive until after the surrender of General Santa Anna.

Daniel Allen (1797-1869). Son of William Allen and Keziah Anders. Daniel was awarded land grants in the Republic of Texas for service during the Texas Revolution. He served under Captain John McLure in Company F, 1st Regiment, Permanent Volunteers, Texas Army, enlisting between 18 Dec 1835 and 31 Dec 1836.

George A. Pattillo (1796-1871). Husband of Sarah, daughter of William Allen and Hannah Pride. He served as a member of the Republic of Texas General Council from 13 January to 11 March 1836. He volunteered for military duty and was en route to San Jacinto when the famous battle there was fought. George held a number of public offices in Austin and in Southeast Texas. He served as associate justice of Jefferson County in 1837 before holding the position of justice of the peace in 1838. Although defeated in the 1840 House race, he represented Jefferson County in the House of Representatives of the Sixth Congress (1841-42) and was senator from Jefferson and Jasper counties in the Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth congresses of the republic. During this period he was chairman of the Committee on Enrolled Bills and led a successful fight against the repeal of the tariff. He was also noted as an ardent annexationist. In February 1844, Pattillo urged President Sam Houston to appoint an additional annexation negotiator in Washington. After the annexation of Texas in 1845, George became the first chief justice of Orange County, in 1852-53. In 1861 he served as justice of the peace for that county.

Thomas H. Lewis (1802-1854). Husband of Kesiah Stephenson, daughter of Lydia Allen and John Stephenson. Thomas and Kesiah moved to Texas in 1829 and was award a headright grant and warrant for land in Liberty County. Thomas served as a Sergeant in Captain William Loagn's Company during the Texas Revolution and fought the the battle of San jacinto.

Moses Allen (1808-1865). Son of William Allen and Hannah Pride. Moses migrated to Mexican Texas in the late 1820's with his parents. When the Texas Revolution began and Samuel Houston mustered an army at San Antonio de Béxar, Captain James Chessher, the long-time ferryman over Pine Island Bayou, mustered a company of Jefferson and Jasper County volunteers, including Moses and several if his brothers and joined Sam Houston's forces at Bexar. Moses and brothers Elisha and George were assigned to Lewis' Company. After many delays Colonel Benjamin R. Milam was ordered to raise a force of volunteers to storm Bexar. Two hundred and sixteen men promptly volunteered for this service, including the Moses and his brothers. For four days intense house-to-house fighting ensued resulting in the surrender of Mexican General Cos and the effective liberation of Texas. After the defeat of Santa Anna at San Jacinto Moses continued to served under Captain Benjamin F. Harper in the Texas Militia along with his brother, 2nd Lt. George Allen. Moses was awarded land grants in the Republic of Texas for his for his participation in the Battle of Bexar.

William Allen (1810-1869) son of Nathaniel Allen and Penelope Williams served during the Texas Revolution as a 2nd Lieutenant in Captain Chesser's Company. He also served as the Justice of the Peace for Jasper County, Texas from 1839 to 1847. He was the postmaster at Walnut Run, Jasper County, Texas from 1859 to 1861.

Hezekiah Reams Williams (c1810-1843). Son of Hezekiah Williams and Nancy Reams, first husband of Lydia Stephenson, daughter of Lydia Allen and John Stephenson. Hezekiah served in the Texas Revolution enlisting in Captain William Logan's Company on 14 April 1836. He fought at the Battle of San Jacinto and was honorably discharged on 11 May 1836 due to bad health.

George Allen (1811-?). Son of William Allen and Hannah Pride. George migrated to Mexican Texas in the late 1820's with his parents. When the Texas Revolution began and Samuel Houston mustered an army at San Antonio de Béxar, Captain James Chessher, the long-time ferryman over Pine Island Bayou, mustered a company of Jefferson and Jasper County volunteers, including George and several if his brothers and joined Sam Houston's forces at Bexar. George and brothers Elisha and Moses were assigned to Lewis' Company. After many delays Colonel Benjamin R. Milam was ordered to raise a force of volunteers to storm Bexar. Two hundred and sixteen men promptly volunteered for this service, including the George and his brothers. For four days intense house-to-house fighting ensued resulting in the surrender of Mexican General Cos and the effective liberation of Texas. After the defeat of Santa Anna at San Jacinto Moses continued to served as a 2nd Lt. under Captain Benjamin F. Harper in the Texas Militia along with his brother, Moses. George was awarded land grants in the Republic of Texas for his for his participation in the Battle of Bexar.

Jesse Lee Carruth (1811-1893). Son of William Carruth and Susannah Lee, husband of Elizabeth Allen served as an Assistant U.S. Marshal for St. Helena Parish, Louisiana in 1850. He also served as an 1850 census taker.

Elisha Allen (1813-?). Son of William Allen and Hannah Pride. Elisha migrated to Mexican Texas in the late 1820's with his parents. When the Texas Revolution began and Samuel Houston mustered an army at San Antonio de Béxar, Captain James Chessher, the long-time ferryman over Pine Island Bayou, mustered a company of Jefferson and Jasper County volunteers, including Elisha and several if his brothers and joined Sam Houston's forces at Bexar. Elisha and brothers George and Moses were assigned to Lewis' Company. After many delays Colonel Benjamin R. Milam was ordered to raise a force of volunteers to storm Bexar. Two hundred and sixteen men promptly volunteered for this service, including the George and his brothers. For four days intense house-to-house fighting ensued resulting in the surrender of Mexican General Cos and the effective liberation of Texas. George was awarded a land grant in the Republic of Texas for his participation in the Battle of Bexar.

John A. Turner (1814-1886). Husband of Amanda Stephenson, daughter of Lydia Allen and John Stephenson. John served in the Texas Naval Service during the Texas Revolution for which service he was granted a bounty of 320 acres of land in Orange County and received a pension.

James Stephenson (1815-?) Son of  John William Stephenson and Lydia Allen served during the Texas Revolution in Franklin Harper's Company from 7 July 1836 to 7 October 1836. James and his family attacked a neighbor in 1860 over a land dispute. James was convicted of murder and his wife, Lydia, was convicted of second degree murder. They were both paroled after serving only a small portion of their sentences in Huntsville State Penitentiary.

Elijah Allen (1817-?). Son of William Allen and Hannah Pride. Elijah migrated to Mexican Texas in the late 1820's with his parents. Elijah was awarded land grants in the Republic of Texas for service in the Texas Revolution.

William Stuart Bates (1817-1874). Husband of Sarah Ann Allen, served the confederacy during the Civil war enlisting as a Private in Company B of the 4th Louisiana Infantry.

  William N. Allen (1818-1897) Enlisted in Company I, 10th Arkansas Militia in Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas during February 1862. Later enlisted in Company A of the 2nd Regiment Arkansas Infantry, regular Union Army on 2 Sep 1863 in Warren, Arkansas County, Arkansas at age 43, birthplace Madison County, Alabama. [Note: The latter needs to researched farther. It is unlikely that this William enlisted in Arkansas County.]

James Hall Pattillo (1821-1867) son of George Alexander Pattillo and Sarah Ann Allen was elected a member of the first Commissioner's Court of Orange County, Texas in 1852.

John H. Allen (1833-1920) son of William Davis Allen and Laminda Holden, served the Confederacy during the Civil War in  the Fourth Louisiana Regiment, St. Helena Rifles. He was discharged in August of 1862.

Robert Charles Myers (1836-1903). Son of Charles Antonio Myers and Mary Elizabeth Allen, served the CSA during the Civil War between July 1862 and 1865 in Company B of Spaight's Battalion - Heavy Artillery. He applied for a CSA pension while living in Orange County, Texas but was rejected. Interestingly, after his death Rachel Pattillo was granted a CSA Widow's pension after his death.

John P. Lee (1837-1900) husband of Emily Drucilla Allen, served the CSA during the Civil War, enlisting as a Private in Company E of the 3rd Louisiana Calvary.

William Allen (1838-1899) son of Peter Allen and Sarah Ring, enlisted in Company D, 4th Arkansas Calvary, CSA on 21 May 1862 and was present in Feb 1864.

David T. Easley (1839-1910) son of John Easley and Margaret Taylor, husband of Elizabeth J. Bates, served the CSA during the Civil War, enlisting in Company I of the 4th Louisiana Infantry.

William Rufus Pattillo (1840-??) son of George Alexander Pattillo and Sarah Ann Allen, served the CSA in Company E, 11 (Spaight's) Battalion of the Texas Volunteer Infantry.

Augustus Allen (1842-????) Served the Confederacy during the Civil War. He enlisted as a Private in Company C the "Johnson Rifles" of the First Arkansas Mounted Rifles Regiment on 6 June 1861 in Fort Smith, Arkansas at age 19 and was discharged 4 October 1861. He may have also served in the Cheekhills Company of the 1st Arkansas Confederate Calvary.

James Allen (1842-1864) son of Daniel Allen and Mary MacNamee, was a student at the University of Mississippi when the Civil War broke out. He enlisted in the Confederate armies 24th Mississippi Infantry Regiment and died from wounds received during a calvary charge on Franklin, Tennessee by Hood's army.

Lemuel Albert Pattillo (1843-??) son of George Alexander Pattillo and Sarah Ann Allen, served the CSA in Company E, 11 (Spaight's) Battalion of the Texas Volunteer Infantry.

Thomas H. Allen (1844-1923) son of William Davis Allen and Laminda Holden, served the Confederacy during the Civil War in  the Companies F and I of the Fourth Louisiana Regiment, St. Helena Rifles. He was taken prisoner at Nashville  in December 1864. He received a pension for his service while living in Liverpool, Louisiana. After his death in 1923 his wife Marganie Bridges continued to receive his pension.

Harvey Day Bates (1845-1909) son of William Stuart Bates and Sarah Ann Allen, husband of Rosalie Strickland, served the CSA during the Civil War, enlisting as a Private in Company D, 3rd Louisiana Cavalry.

Bethena Celia (Allen) Kendall (1857-1921). Bethena was something of a poet. She wrote the following...

THE OCEAN BURIAL
Oh bury me not in the deep deep sea
Those words came slow and mournfully
From the pallid lips of a youth who lay
On his cabin couch at the close of day
He had wasted and pined till on his brow
The death sleep of his fond loved home was night
They gathered around him to see him die

Oh bury me not in the deep sea
Where the billowy wave shall wave o'er me
Where no light breaks on the dark cold wave
No sunbeam rest upon my grave
It matters not I have oft been told
Where the body is lain when the heart grows cold
But grant ye oh grant ye this boon unto me
Oh bury me not in the deep deep sea

In fancy I have listened to the well known words
To the free wild wind and the songs of birds
I've thought of home of the wild wood bowers
Of the scenes that I loved in childhood hours
I had ever hoped to be laid when I die
In the churchyard there on the green hillside
By the bones of my father my grave shall be
Oh bury me not in the deep deep sea

Let my death slumbers be where in a mother's prayers
Or a sister's tear is blended there
Oh then it will be sweet when the heart throb is o'er
To know that its fountain shall gush no more
Where those I so fondly have yearned for would come
To plant the first wild flowers of Spring o'er my tomb
Then grant ye oh grant ye those boon unto me
Oh bury me not in the deep deep sea

But there is another whose tears will shed
For one who lies deep in the ocean bed
In an hour that it pains me to think of now
She has trimmed these locks and has kissed this brow
The hair she has wreathed shall the serpent hiss 
And the brow she has pressed shall the wild wave kiss
For the sake of her who waits for me
Oh bury me not in the deep deep sea

She has been in my dreams I have seen her there
They gave no heed to his dying prayer
They lowered him slow o'er the ship's lone side
And above him is closed the silent tide
Where to dip her wings the sea fowl doth flee
And the billows dance 'neath the foaming sea
Where the wild waves bound in frantic glee
They buried him there in the deep deep sea

July 26th 1877 - Bethena C. Kendall

Apparently, Bethena was also a good cook. Here is her recipe for Spanish Bun...

Four cups of flour.
Two cups of sugar.
Four eggs.
2/3 cups of Crisco or butter.
One cup of buttermilk.
One teaspoon of soda.
One cup of raisins.
One cup of English walnuts.
Raisins and walnuts are dredged in flour and folded into the mixture.
Oven, preheated to 325 degrees, cook for one hour and twenty minutes.

Thomas Franklin Allen (1867-1933) son of William N. Allen and Elizabeth Frances Scott was elected to the Arkansas State Legislature in 1909 representing Johnson County.

Lillian Susan (Allen) Coker (1882-1977). Lillian went to Fayetteville to get her education. When she left home she kept her share of her father's land in Hartman, Arkansas. When the Arkansas River dams were built she had to sell to the government. She and her sister Annie settled in Stigler, Oklahoma. Annie opened an abstract office in Stigler and Lillian moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma where she opened an abstract office of her own. In her elder years Lillian claimed to own the first typewriter in Oklahoma and to be the first woman to be elected to office in Oklahoma.

Charles A. Harris (1895-1941) husband of Jencie Allen, served as a Private in the 566 Casual Company during World War I.

Leonard Francis Rinke (1912-1983) husband of Lucille Allene Allen (daughter of Seth Howell Allen and Jewell Juita Bell) served a career in the U.S. Navy.

Murray M. Allen (1917-1994) son of William Preston Allen and Edna A. Byerly served as a Chief Mechanics Mate in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Joe W. Allen (1918-1992) son of William Preston Allen and Edna A. Byerly served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Troy Allen (1918-1985) son of Richard Scott Allen and Edna Ethel Payne served as a Private in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Landis Higgins (1921-1999) husband of Mabel Edith Allen (daughter of Hamp Procton Allen and Lucy Edna Davis) served as a CW02 in the U.S. Navy during both World War II and the Korean Conflict.

Family Lore

Peter Allen arrived in Arkansas by way of the Mississippi River and the Arkansas River with an, as yet, unidentified brother. The brother went as far as Little Rock then continued to Texas. It is believed that this brother fought at the Alamo. Four Allen names have been associated with the Alamo, they are: Robert Allen (Virginia), James L. Allen (Kentucky 1815-1901), James C. Allen and James B. Allen. None of these have yet been directly connected to our Allen line.

Peter Allen left three children with "Pappy" Jack Phillips in Alabama when he came to Arkansas. Pappy Jack later moved to North Arkansas in the vicinity of Springdale. John Phillips obtained custody of these children in 1810. Substantial evidence of this occurrence has not yet, been found. Jack Phillips was a neighbor of William C. Allen in Lauderdale County, Alabama in the early 1800's. Jack Phillips' wife, Sarah Quillan died between 1825 and 1829. William C. Allen drowned in the Tennessee River in 1830. About 1831 Jack married William's widow, Susanna Whitehead. This William has not yet been connected to our line. Jack's father was named John, perhaps the John who obtained custody of the Allen children. Jack and his first wife had a son named Milton Phillips who, in turn, had a son named Milton Phillips Jr. This latter Milton is buried on the Allen Home Place in Johnson County, Arkansas along with Peter Allen and his wife Sarah Ring so there is apparently some connection.