Genealogical and Family History
of the
STATE OF MAINE

Volume III

Compiled under the editorial supervision of George Thomas Little, A. M., Litt. D.

LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
New York
1909.

[Please see Index page for full citation.]

[Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou]

[Many families included in these genealogical records had their beginnings in Massachusetts.]

ALLEN This name is spelled various ways in the early records, such as Allin, Allyne, and otherwise, and had many representatives in eastern Massachusetts at the beginning of settlement there. there were more than one bearing the baptismal name of William, and these have been somewhat confounded by various writers. (I) William Allen, American progenitor of a numerous family, was a resident of Salisbury, Massachusets, as early as 1639, and received land there in the first division and again in 1640. He was a house carpenter, and an active and useful member of the infant colony, dying in Salisbury, June 18, 1686. He married (first) Ann, daughter of Richard and Dorothy Goodale. She died "about ye last of May." 1678, and he married (second), about 1684, Alice, widow of John Roper and John Dickison. His children, born of the first wife were: Abigail Hannah Mary Martha John William Benjamin Joseph Richard Ruth Jeremiah (II) Captain Joseph, fourth son of William and Ann (Goodale) Allen, was born August 13, 1653, in Salisbury, and was a blacksmith and "yeoman." In 1674 he was induced by a grant of land to settle in Gloucester, Massachusetts, where there was urgent need of such a mechanic. He proved an active and useful citizen, serving on important committees, as selectman, as representative in 1705, and commanded a company of militia. In 1675 he purchased a house and land near the meeting house in Gloucester, and there lived until his death, October 6, 1724, at the age of seventy-one years. He was married (first) July 29, 1680, to Alice Griggs, of Gloucester, who died April 26, 1684, to Rose Howard of Cape Ann, who survived him three weeks, dying October 27, 1724. The first wife was the mother of three children, and the second of fourteen. Their names were: Joseph Jeremiah (died young) Rachel Solomon Benjamin Son unnamed Thomas Anna John Rose William Mary and Patience (twins, both died young) Jeremiah Samuel Zerubbabel Mary (III) Captain Joseph (2), eldest child of Joseph (I) and Alice (Griggs) Allen, was born June 2, 1681, in Gloucester, and resided there until his death, April 6, 1750. In his early years he was a mariner, and in 1720 he settled down in his native place, becoming a merchant. He evidently made good use of his observations while on the sea and of his later opportunities, his estate being appraised after his death at over 5,130 pounds sterling. He owned much land and eight negro slaves, and his fortune was an ample one for that day. In old documents he is styled "gentleman," and during the last fifteen years of his life "Esquire." He first married in January, 1707, to Mary Coit, who survived him more than twenty-seven years, passing away September 12, 1777. Their children were: Mary Joseph Rachel Elizabeth Abigail William Nathaniel Martha Anna Susanna Lucy (IV) Colonel William (2), second son of Captain Joseph (2) and Mary (Coit) Allen, was born June 30, 117, in Gloucester, where he resided until his family was grown. He built a large house east of the site of the old meeting house, where his fourteen children were born. Late in life he removed to New Gloucester, Maine, probably accompanying or following some of his children, and was among the first settlers there. No record of his death appears. He was married, April 11, 1745, to Mary Osgood, of Andover, Massachusetts, and they were the parents of: Mary (died young) Joseph Mary William Elizabeth Dorcas John Benjamin Nathaniel Coit Aaron and Christopher (died young) Christopher Aaron (V) Joseph (3), eldest son of Colonel William (2) and Mary (Osgood) Allen, was born February 24, 1746, in Dover, New Hampshire. He came to Piscataqua Corner in Falmouth in early youth with parents, and died and was buried at Gray, 1847-48. From a deposition made by Joseph Allen, of Gray, county of Cumberland, Maine, it is learned that he enlisted in the revolutionary war, March 4, 1777, for three years, joined Colonel Alden's regiment, and after the death of Colonel Alden the regiment (Seventh Massachusetts) was commanded by Colonel Brooks. He served the period of his enlistment and was honorably discharged at West Point, New York, March 4, 1780. In April, 1780, he enlisted for eight months' service, joined Captain Pride's company, Colonel Prince's regiment, stationed at Falmouth, now Portland, and was discharged at Portland, November, 1780. At the time of his enlistment he was an inhabitant of Falmouth, from whence he removed to Gray, Maine, March 17, 1835. In his deposition subscribed and sworn to June 23, 1835, Mr. Allen stated that he never received a grant of land, or money in lieu thereof, from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for his said service in the revolutionary war. In another deposition he appointed Josiah Hobbs, of Falmouth, his true and lawful attorney to receive from the land agent of the state of Maine such certificate as he may issue to him, in virtue of a resolve of the said state, passed March 17, 1835, entitled a "Resolve in favor of certain Officers and Soldiers of the Revolutionary War, and the Widows of the deceased Officers and Soldiers," to the benefit of which resolve he was entitled. He also appointed Harlow Spaulding, Esq., of Augusta, Maine, his attorney to receive from the land agent of the state of Maine such certificate as may be issued to him, in virtue of said resolve, and for me and in my name and stead to bargain for, sell, dispose of and transfer to any person, and upon such terms as he may think best. Joseph Allen married (first), December 30, 1782, Mary Baker; married (second) Dorcas Meserve. Children: 1. Emery. 2. Andrew. 3. Joseph. 4. Josiah. 5. Otis, see forward. 6. Daniel, a farmer, Free Baptist preacher, died April 9, 1855, aged sixty-three years, buried at Gray. Married (first) Betsey Leighton, who was buried at Gray. Children: i. David, born March 15, 1818, died 1844, buried at Poland; ii. Leonia, born June 23, 1820, married Ansel L. Libby, deceased; she is now living with daughter at Lewiston; iii. Peter Leighton, born October 8, 1822, died June 17, 1897, aged seventy-four years; buried at Cumberland. Daniel married (second) Mary Fenley, daughter of Abigail Fenley, who came from Scotland and who married Jeremiah Fields. Mary (Fenley) Allen died January 19, 1855, aged seventy-seven years, and was buried at Gray. Children: iv. Betsey, died at Poland, October 15, 1842, aged seventeen years ten months; v. Jane, died (lightning stroke) at Baker Corner, Windham; vi. Caroline M., died October 29, 1853, aged twenty years ten months; she married December 14, 1851, William Hancock, of Buxton, had one child, Georgie Caroline, who married Alonzo Allen. 7. William. 8. Hannah. 9. Dorcas. 10. Statira. 11. Lucy. 12. Elvira, married, January 10, 1847, Isaac Adams. Joseph Allen, father of these children, had a half-brother, Edward Allen, of Gray, lived in Falmouth, 1826, and was the father of four children: Dr. Nicholas, Alfred, Thomas, and Arexine. (VI) Otis, son of Joseph Allen, was born in Windham, Maine, and lived there until about 1866-67, when he removed to West Gray, and there died, in 1872-73, at the age of seventy-six. He was a well-known farmer. He served in the war of 1812. The name of Otis Allen appears with the rank of private upon the roll of Captain Watson Rand's detached company of militia from the First Brigade, Twelfth Division, in service at Forts Preble and Scammel, Portland Harbor, from August 5th to November 5th, 1814, under Major George Rogers, and under supervision of United States officers, were paid by the United States government. He also served in Captain Ira Bartlett's company of militia in Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Holland's regiment raised in Hartford, and in service at Portland from 14th to 24th September, 1814 (with three days additional for travel). Served as a private. He married Clarissa, daughter of John and Leona (Sawyer) Leighton, of Cumberland; she was born there 1800, and died 1887. Children: 1. Mary Jane, died November 22, 1838, aged sixteen years. 2. Betsey, died February 12, 1839, aged twelve years. 3. Cynthia A., died October 20, 1842, aged thirteen years. 4. Alvin, died November 23, 1858, aged twenty-two years two months seven days. 5. Huldah, married John Dalley; lived at South Windham, where both died; two daughters and one son. 6. Alfred R., see forward. 7. William, married and had daughter who died in infancy; he served during the entire civil war, in First, Tenth and Thirtieth Maine regiments, and at close of war died of yellow fever. 8. Sarah, married (first) Amasa Wentworth, and (second) Alvin Frank; several children by second marriage; lives in Westbrook. 9. Charles B., died 1905; married a Miss Doughty. 10. Alonzo P., see forward. 11. Lovina, married Bejamin Elwell, lived in Westbrook, and both died there. Of these children, there are living only Sarah, aged seventy-six, and Alonzo P., aged sixty-three. (VII) Alfred R., son of Otis and Clarissa (Leighton) Allen, died May 6, 1855. He spent some years as a mariner, then settled on a farm in Gray, where he resided several years, and was killed by an explosion while working in the South Windham powder mill. He married, June 12, 1847, Salome Libby, born March 16, 1824, died March 24, 1902, aged seventy-eight years eight days. She was the daughter of William and Hannah (Gould) Libby (see Libby, VII). Two children were born of this union: William Alfred, see forward. Cynthia Ann, died young. (VII) Alonzo P., son of Otis and Clarissa (Leighton) Allen, was born 1845, married Georgie Caroline Allen; had son Edgar, who lives at Peaks Island, Portland. In August, 1862, at the age of eighteen, Alonzo P. Allen enlisted as a drummer in Company D, Twentieth Regiment Maine Volunteers. He participated in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, South Mountain, Gettysburg, and several less important engagements, and was discharged in 1864 for disability, due to diphtheria. In 1877 he enlisted in Battery H, First United States Artillery, at Fort Preble, Maine and with which he served ten years. He enlisted at the recruiting office in Portland, Maine, and served at the recruiting stations at Washington City, Boston and Portland; was four years fife and drum instructor, and was transferred to First United States Infantry, in California, and served several years at Benecia, Angel Island and Presidio, San Francisco; accompanied his regiment to Cuba and served there during the Spanish-American war; was assigned to Fifty-ninth Company, Coast Artillery, in Porto Rico, and served with same until 1904, when he was honorably retired after thirty years' faithful and meritorious service. (VIII) William Alfred, only son of Alfred R. and Salome (Libby) Allen, was born in Falmouth, May 8, 1849. When six years old he was left to the sole care of his mother, who continued to reside in her home in Falmouth until 1860, when she removed with her son to Portland. There he attended the public schools until 1865, and then entered the employ of Moses Colley for the purpose of learning the trade of carpenter. Mr. Colley suffered serious injury by the great fire of 1866, and his apprentice was compelled to seek other employment. For a time he worked in the market, and then went with his uncle, Joseph G. Libby, to complete his knowledge of the trade of carpenter. In 1868 he began learning the trade of stair builder with George L. Hooper, and remained one year. In 1869 he became superintendent of the plant of John Edwards, stair builder, of Marblehead, Massachusetts, and filled that position until 1873. In the latter year he returned to Portland, Maine, and established a business of his own on a very modest scale on Preble street, as a stair builder, his only assistant being a young apprentice. The quality of his work created a good demand for his product, his success surpassed his expectations, and his orders, before the summer was over, demanded the assistance of three men. After a time he removed to Doten's mill on Cross street, where he remained nine months, and then went to Brackett's mill on Kenebec street, where for a time he was in partnership with W. H. Stone. In July, 1876, the mill burned to the ground, Mr. Allen having no insurance, he lost all he had invested there. He immediately rebuilt and continued his business at that place for a number of years, when he built his first mill, but still continued the occupancy of his own mill, which was fifty feet by eighty-seven, two stories high, well equipped, and there he turned out mantels, hall work and furnishings for in forty-six days Mr. Allen had a three-story building. In 1890 this mill was burned, but building, fifty by eighty-seven feet in dimensions, fully equipped, with machinery in running order to take the place of the structure that was lost. He now has the largest concern of the kind east of Boston, employs twenty-five men, and turns out all kinds of interior finish, store fixtures, show cases and stairways. In 1894 he erected a storehouse one hundred by twenty-two fee, two stories high, and in addition to his manufacturing he handles tiling and has a salesroom at No. 424 Congress street. In politics Mr. Allen is a Republican. He is much interested in aquatic sports, owns a yacht, is a member of the Portland Yacht Club, and lives in summer with his family in a pleasant cottage on the shore. He is a member of Hadattah Lodge, independent Order of Odd Fellows; Eastern Star Encampment; Daughters of Rebekah; Ivanhoe Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of which he is a past chancellor; Michigonne Tribe, Improved Order of Red-Men, of which he is a past sachem; Tribe of Daughters of Pocahontas; New England Order of Protection, of which he is a past grand warden and supreme representative; Maine Charitable Mechanics' Association. Mr. Allen married Kate W. Carle, a native of Eastport, Maine. Children: 1. Anna Belle, born December 26, 1868, married Charles E. Beane of South Portland; one child, Leona Beane, born August 19, 1894. 2. William Fernald, born November 30, 1870, married Elizabeth T. Cogan, of Rochester, New York. 3. Emma Ada Rogers, born April 2, 1873, married Harry Rowe, of Ellsworth, Maine. 4. Nellie, born July 1, 1874, died September 2, 1874. 5. George Emery Bartlett, born September 17, 1875, married Ethel Jordan, of Portland, Maine. 6. Harry Frederick, born October 15, 1876, married Veda Bennett, of Portland, Maine. 7. Benjamin Franklin, born November 18, 1878, married Mabel Holman, of Colebrook, New Hampshire; one child, Katherine Margaret Allen, born December 8, 1903. 8. Eva May, born November 18, 1878, died February 13, 1880.