Samuel Allen Sr (1756 - 1841)

Born 30 Dec 1756 in Bedford, Virginia

Descendants

Died 11 Dec 1841 at age 84 in Somerset, Pulaski, Kentucky, United States

Biography

Samuel Allen Sr is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A.

Samuel Allen Sr was a Virginia colonist.

Introduction of a biography from Findagave Memorial # 11362786 (below 'Sources' section):

Little is known of the ancestry of Samuel Allen. Family tradition states that his parents came from Ireland and that the maiden name of his mother was Warren (possibly of the Governor Warren family of Virginia) It is probable that her name was Elizabeth, since each of the children of Samuel named a girl Elizabeth, and this name was carried on down through the generations.

It is most interesting to note the number of Warren families found in Somerset, Pulaski, Kentucky. Judge Adams of Pulaski County, in an interview with Maud Bliss Allen said that the Warrens, Adams, Allens, Easters and Evins all came to Kentucky from South Carolina in a group with their covered wagons, provisions and families. Might then, Miss Warren be a native of South Carolina? It is probable. It is sad these ancestral problems remain obscure in spite of every effort to bring them to light.

The facts remain that Samuel had a mother named Warren, that there are many descendants of the Warrens in his home county Pulaski, Kentucky, and that the name of Cerenus Warren is listed in the Somerset Families. The descendants of Samuel clung to this name Cerenus, although it is not found at any time among the Allen families of Virginia and North Carolina except among the Allen descendants with the name Warren (continued below the 'Sources' & 'Acknowledgements' sections).

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STATE OF KENTUCKY, PULASKI COUNTY

On this 19th day of November 1832 personally appeared before the County Court, Samuel Allin Sr. aged 76 on the 30th day of Dec. next. That he had enlisted in the County of Bedford in the State of Virginia as a mounted volunteer Militia, furnishing his own horse and rifle gun - in the same year that the big frost fell.

which was the 4th day of May and was the same year he volunteered to perform a term of duty of six months at Bedford Court House in the State of Virginia under Capt. Davis Gripsom, his Col. named Jefferson. The troup to which he belonged marched from Bedford Court House to Hillsborough in the State of North Carolina, from thence to Guilford Court House, marching to the border of South Carolina and performing many other trips or tours. He being very young at the time.

2nd term of Duty in Orange Co. , N.C. by same Capt. Gripsom and discharged. The same Samuel Allin and said Capt. David Gripsom both moved from Beford County Va. to the State of North Carolina and settled in Orange County of that state, (N,C,) that he, the said Samuel Allin volunteered to perform a second term of duty as a mounted Volunteer Militia of nine months term, equipping himself as in the first tour, with his own rifle gun and horse, and in the company of the same Captain Davis Gripsom, then of Orange Co. , N.C. at Hillsboro in same state of North Carolina as a militia man, scouting after the Tories. In his second term of duty he marched from Hillsborough at the battle of Guilford under the command of Gen. Butler. Afterwards the troup to which he belonged marched to the Catawba River. There he met General Sumpter O. Green of the regular army and marched from there to the high hills of Santes in the State of South Carolina in view of the British Army, but not being able to cross over "The troops of the American Army, to which I belonged, were marched back and crossed about the mouth of the Santa River over to Thompson's Fort where the enemy lay, but they had left there before our army reached the place. " Arriving at Thompsons Fort with three days provisions, pursued the enemy to the Eutaw Springs at which place the American Army came up with the British Army and put them to flight after a very severe battle, taking many prisoners. After the battle the army was marched back to Thompson's Fort while there my said tour of duty of nine months expired, but was not discharged as it was said that lest the men might scatter and be taken by the Tories, but got a written discharge from my Captain in Orange County North Carolina, the County and place of my enlistments.

Afterward he, Samuel Allin, volunteered in the said County of Orange, in the State of North Carolina, the month of July 1782 at Stagg's Old Field, being the place of mustering of the Company to which he belonged in the County of Orange. He volunteered to perform a term of duty of eighteen months.

He turned out as a volunteer in Capt. Davis Gripsom again which is his third and last tour as a footman belonging to what was called the North Carolina Militia, but before the muster or before the company of Capt. Gripsom - Col. Wallace with his army vacated Hillsborough and marched with his army to Little York where he surrendered to the American Army under the command of General George Washington, but of this term of duty he states that before the Company marched to where it belonged, his mother was taken dangerously ill or sick, and the family consisting only of her, himself and a Negro girl, he was compelled to furnish a substitute (to-wit) Robert Childress to perform the last named tour. He had to promise to him, the said Robert Childress, the sum of one hundred and sixty pounds in to take his said AUin's place and perform said tour of duty for him, for which the said Samuel Allin, afterwards on the 24th day of Feb. 1783 did pay. His Promis- sory Note without his signature, is on file, his name being torn off after payment being made and Childress finished for said Allin with said discharge.

All payments of notes in those days were acknowledged by tearing off of signature and giving it to maker of note.

Maud B. Allen

Samuel Allin, in applying for pension states, "I enlisted at Bedford Court House, went with Captain David Grissom. Moved from Bedford County Va. to the State of North Carolina, and settled in Orange County, North Carolina. Enlisted again, and marched from the high hills of "Santes" in the State of South Carolina, in view of the British Army; camped about a month on theSantes (or Saxtes) River. Marched to Ft. Thompson where the enemy lay, but they had left before our arrival. We went on foot, had three days provisions. Pursued the enemy to Eutaw Springs, at which place the American army came up with the British Army, and put them to flight after a very severe battle, taking many prisoners they returned to Ft. Thomas. " Copied, National Archives - M. B. Allen

At the beginning of his last enlistment, before the month Capt. Comwallis surrendered to General George Washington, Comwallis with his army at Hillsboro (N. C. ) marched his army to Little York, where he surrendered to the American Army. Just before the march of this company, to which Samuel AUin belonged, his mother was taken dangerously ill, and the family consisted only of himself, his mother and a Negro girl. He was compelled on account of her condition to furnish a substitute, to-wit, Robert Childress to perform said last named tour and had to promise to this said Childress the sum of 160 pounds. This was for three months enlistment.

At Washington, D.C. among the papers and affidavits on file referring to this claim, is the original note given to Robert Childress, a piece of paper about 2 1/2 inches wide, five inches in length, with the signature torn off. The note follows:

"I promise to pay, or cause to be paid to Robert Childress or his or her - - (Out) the just and full sum of one hundred and sixty pounds on or before the 25th day of December, 1786 it being for value received as witness my hand and seal this 24th day of February 1783. "

Testjas. Alston

The attendant at the Pension files where these papers were kept stated that payment of all notes and bills was acknowledged by the tearing off of the signature and giving it to the signer instead of a receipt, as proof of payment.

M. B. Allen

No greater thrill was experienced by the writer of this account than to be privileged to handle these papers and records which had been in the posession of the progenators of another generation- -those of our forefathers who had fought and suffered for the liberty of our Nation. Some of the writing in these records is faded and worn, and in the above named bill, it is far from legible.

Samuel Allin (he always spelled his name Allin) always signed papers with an X or cross for his mark.

SAMUEL ALLEN'S PLANTATION. This beautiful valley of 400 acres where Samuel Allen built his home was almost completely surrounded by a slate-rock chain of hills. It was later made into a lake fed by the flowing waters of beautiful Fishing Creek. Here in this beautiful vaUey, Samuel's thoroughbreds roamed at will and grazed upon the rich meadow grass, frolicked in the bright sunshine, and enhanced the valuable plantation.

1. SAMUEL ALLEN , Rev. Wat soldier, born the 30th of December 1956. married 27 August 1782 NANCY EASTER. They were married in Hillsboro, Orange Co. , North Carolina, The record states Hester, but this is a mistake. All family records of the Aliens state her name was Easter. The date of her birth is uncertain, but she was born in Chester County, South Carolina. This marriage is recorded on p. 13 "No. and So. Carolina Marriages. " He died according to his tomb-stone the 11th of December 1841 age eighty-five years. He was spry and active up to the time of his death. Nancy died the 13th of February 1829. Both are buried with a grandson Gilmer Allen, and three of his slaves on the banks of Fishing Creek ten rods west of his home built in 1803.

Note . Since writing the above, the valley Samuel settled and where he lived for thirty -eight years, tilling his soil, and growing his thoroughbred horses and prize cattle, was sold to the County of Pulaski, and today it is a wonderful reservoir or lake, filled with the rushing waters of Fishing Creek before it goes down to the Cumberland Gap. The small entrance, and the natural small outlet from this valley, with between forty- five and more acres of deep valley, made a wonderful natural reservoir. The county tried for years to purchase it, but Cornelius Wesley, the owner was loath to turn his home and plantation over to be covered with water, for there were the six graves resting in the quiet shade of the tall trees on the banks of the creek, the graves were the resting places of the Rev. Soldier, with his dear wife, and others. Here a monu- ment was placed by the daughters of the Revolution, but time makes way for more modern needs, and necessities, so the place was sold and the graves moved to the City Cemetery in Somerset. All vestige of the past removed, and though the blue waters cover its many landmarks and trees, the memory of an old log home, a discarded fireplace, an old spinning wheel in the corner of the room, a tall bell that used to call the hungry men to a fine hot dinner, the gardens and the fertile valley are of the past, the vivid picture of it all will remain in this writer's vision always.

1820 Census

Samuel Allen Sr

Place Somerset, Pulaski, Kentucky, United States

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Findagave Memorial # 11362786

Family links:

Spouse:

Nancy Easter Allen (1761 - 1829)

Children:

John Easter Allen (1783 - 1851)

Frances Easter Allen Dick (1786 - 1849)

Rial Easter Allen (1791 - 1865)

David Easter Allen (1797 - 1881)

Samuel Easter Allen (1799 - 1882)

Burial:

Ringgold Cemetery

Ringgold

Pulaski County

Kentucky, USA (findagrave).

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Below the 'Sources' & 'Acknowledgements' sections is a lengthy biography (findagrave) on Samuel's early life and his family's migration to Kentucky.

Sources

• (Excerpt, SAMUEL ALLIN, REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIER 1756 - 1841 of North Carolina and Kentucky, A record of his many descendants 1756 - 1960, Compiled by Maud B. Allen, indexed by Flora F. Iverson and Carma Iverson, Page 2).

• With 35 sources: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LL9L-35W

• "United States Census, 1820," database with images, FamilySearch, Affiliate Name The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Digital Folder 5156982, Image 92, (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHGF-Q87 : accessed 10 March 2018), Samuel Allen Sr, Somerset, Pulaski, Kentucky, United States; citing p. 65, NARA microfilm publication M33, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 27; FHL microfilm 186,187. Pike-2301 11:38, 10 March 2018 (EST).

• Find A Grave Memorial# 11362786 - Maintained by: Eric Allen, Originally Created by: Richard Alen, gravestone photo added by: Sarah.

• Brøderbund WFT Vol. 3, Ed. 1, Tree #0032.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Nev Dansie for starting this profile.

Lengthy Biography from Findagave Memorial # 11362786 (family links and burial info follows):

Little is known of the ancestry of Samuel Allen. Family tradition states that his parents came from Ireland and that the maiden name of his mother was Warren (possibly of the Governor Warren family of Virginia) It is probable that her name was Elizabeth, since each of the children of Samuel named a girl Elizabeth, and this name was carried on down through the generations.

It is most interesting to note the number of Warren families found in Somerset, Pulaski, Kentucky. Judge Adams of Pulaski County, in an interview with Maud Bliss Allen said that the Warrens, Adams, Allens, Easters and Evins all came to Kentucky from South Carolina in a group with their covered wagons, provisions and families. Might then, Miss Warren be a native of South Carolina? It is probable. It is sad these ancestral problems remain obscure in spite of every effort to bring them to light.

The facts remain that Samuel had a mother named Warren, that there are many descendants of the Warrens in his home county Pulaski, Kentucky, and that the name of Cerenus Warren is listed in the Somerset Families. The descendants of Samuel clung to this name Cerenus, although it is not found at any time among the Allen families of Virginia and North Carolina except among the Allen descendants with the name Warren.

It was Catherine and Aliza Frazure (daughters of James and Julia Saunders Allen) who lived in Somerset in 1934 and first told the story to Maud Bliss Allen of Samuel's mother being a Miss Warren.

From this same source comes the story that he was an only child and that his mother was in her 50th year when he was born. Whether he was by a second marriage or there were half brothers or sisters from either of his parents, it has been impossible to discover. The story of his birth and being an only child was verified by Mary Allen Tibbles, "Lum" Allen, and others of the family who had arrived at an advanced age and yet could remember these stories....

It is very noticeable that the wills of the Allens of Orange County, North Carolina, mention in their list the names that fit in so perfectly with the Samuel Allen Families. It is most probable that they were of kin; however, nothing has been proved and there remains only the similarity of names and location to substantiate the theory.

Samuel Allen was born, according to his own statement in his application for Revolutionary War pension, on 30 December, 1756. On the last page of the "William Coleman Allen Ancestry and Descendants" the following is found concerning Samuel: "Andrew Jackson Allen's grandfather (Samuel) was born under the Blue Ridge, the side of which is blue in the evening light He was born in the wild land of game forests and rushing waters. Here on the fork of a creek that runs into a foaming river is a cabin that was chinked with red mud.

He came into the world subject to King George III in that part of the realm known as the Province of North Carolina and was of English and Irish descent as far as we have been able to learn.

On 19 November 1832, when Samuel was 75 years old, he went to the Pulaski County Court to make application for a pension due him because of his service in the Revolutionary War. This application states that he volunteered in Redford County, Virginia, as a Mounted Volunteer Militia and furnished his own horse, rifle, and gun. He could not (at the time of applying for his pension) remember in what year he first volunteered, but stated that it was in the spring or summer of the year that the big frost fell on the 4th of May.

He served in the Militia for six months making trips or tours in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. He was discharged in Orange County, North Carolina, and soon afterwards moved from Bedford County, Virginia, to Orange County, North Carolina. He then volunteered to perform a second term of duty of nine months. During this time, he was in a battle at Heutau Springs. Then, as nearly as he could recollect, it was in July of 1782, that he volunteered for a third term of duty of eighteen months

However, before the company marched to which he belonged, his mother was taken dangerously ill. Since the family consisted only of Samuel, his mother, and a Negro girl, he did not wish to leave her, and so persuaded Robert Childress to substitute for him in this last term with the militia. For this service, he paid Robert Childress the sum of 160 pounds and attached to his Revolutionary War pension application is a copy of his promissory note to that effect. This note has Samuel's signature " X" mark as he could not write his name, torn off signifying that he had paid the debt and Robert Childress returned the note to him. (Samuel did receive a pension of $50 per year for his Revolutionary War Service.)

It was apparently while Robert Childress was serving out Samuel's third term in the Militia that Samuel married Nancy Easter on 27 August, 1782 at Hillsboro, Orange County, North Carolina. Their first child, John, was born in the county in 1783. They then apparently moved to Somerset, Pulaski, Kentucky, where Frankey, Rial, and David were born. Then in 1799 they were in Charleston, South Carolina, where their last child, Samuel, was born.

In 1803 Samuel Allen and his family, with the Adams, Easter, Warrens, Evins and others left Chester, South Carolina and traveled in a covered wagon driven by two double yoke of oxen, north into Kentucky. This migration was made because game was beginning to be very scarce in the Carolinas. The early pioneers of that time depended greatly upon the deer and other wild game and so followed it northward where the woods were more dense and their quest more plentiful.

Samuel came to a little valley encircled by hills with only one entrance and here he decided to settle. It was located nine miles from what is now Somerset, Pulaski, Kentucky

As he took his family and wagon down into this valley around the winding edge of the hill, he had to cut two large trees and fasten them to the back of the wagon and drag them to keep the wagon from rolling down the steep incline on the hoofs of his oxen. The soil of the valley was very fertile and Fishing Creek with cedar, spruce, and ash growing along it's banks ran through the valley at the south.

The hills contained much slate rock and were covered with foliage. One can imagine the pleasure and contentment derived from the toil of farming and stock raising in so beautiful a place.

On the south side, Samuel cleared away the timber from an acre and here built one of the finest homes of that period. It was made of logs and built a distance from the creek facing south. Both the ground floor and the upper half story were divided into two rooms and both had a fireplace. Many years ago the cabin was weather boarded covering the logs, but it stood until the 1930's with its narrow staircase and partly decayed wooden floor---a relic of the forgotten past and a sturdy generation who thrived in this little nook of lovely blue grass country.

About 10 rods west of the home on the banks of Fishing Creek in a cozy shady nook near the cedar and oak trees where the graves of Samuel and his wife with their grandson (Gilmer Allen) and also three slaves. They were marked with a stone of slate-like slab taken from the hills.

For many years these stones lay covered and unnoticed until Mr. Cornelius Wesley, the owner of the plantation, found them and took up the stones, scrubbed and scoured them until the crude markings were legible. On one was written Samuel Allen, born 30 December 1756, died 11 December 1841, and on the other which was broken into three parts was "Nancy Allen, died 13 February, 1829". Some time after 1936 a monument was placed here by the DAR.

The valley Samuel settled and where he lived for 38 years tilling his soil and growing his thoroughbred horses and prize cattle was sold by Mr. Wesley (in about 1940) to Pulaski County. The small entrance and the natural small outlet from this valley with more than 45 acres of deep valley made a wonderful natural reservoir and today it is filled with the rushing waters of Fishing Creek before they go down to the Cumberland Gap.

The graves were moved to the city Cemetery in Somerset. Though all vestige of the past removed and the blue waters cover its many land marks and trees, the memory of the six graves resting in the quiet shade of the tall trees on the banks of the creek, the old log home with its discarded fireplace, old spinning wheel in the corner and tall bell once used for calling the hungry men to a fine hot dinner, and the gardens and fertile valley, will remain as a vivid picture in the writer's (Maud Bliss Allen) vision always.

[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 3, Ed. 1, Tree #0032] Samuel Allen enlisted at Bedford Court House, Virginia, in Captain David Grissom's Company of Colonal Jefferson's Virginia Regiment, in the spring of the year (Year unknown) and served six months in the American Army. About 1780 he moved from Bedford Court House, Virginia, to Orange County, North Carolina, where he served nine months under Captain Grissom, who also had moved there. He fought in the Battle of Guilford Court House and Eutaw Springs. August 27, 1782, he married Nancy Hester in Orange County, North Carolina.

Later he moved to Chester County, South Carolina, and removing from there in 1803, to Pulaski County, Kentucky. In 1805 he entered 76 acres of land on Cold Weather Creek, which is a tributary of Fishing Creek, and in 1815, he entered 47 acres on Fishing Creek. Here Nancy Hester Allen died February 13, 1829. In 1832, Samuel Allen applied for a pension and received fifty dollars a year form the government.

The last payment of pension was made September 4, 1841. His death occurred December 11, 1841. Both he and his wife were buried in the family burial ground on the banks of Fishing Creek. The place of his burial is located on a place later owned by Cornelius Wesley, and is about nine miles northwest of Somerset, Kentucky.

More About SAMUEL ALLEN:

Buried at: Aft. 11 Dec 1841, Family burial ground on Fishing Creek, KY then graves were moved to Ringgold Cemetery, W. Somerset KY.

Medical Information: 85 yrs. old at time of death.

Miltary: Abt. 1776, Revolutionary War Veteran.

More About NANCY EASTER:

Also known as: 1782, Nancy Hester, is the name the index of marriage records, Orange Co., NC. has, but her name was probably Easter.

Buried at: Aft. 13 Feb 1829, Family burial ground on Fishing Creek, KY then graves were moved to City Cemetery, Somerset. Pulaski, KY.

More About SAMUEL ALLEN and NANCY EASTER: Marriage: 27 Aug 1782, Orange Co., NC

Children of SAMUEL ALLEN and NANCY EASTER are:

2. i. JOHN EASTER2 ALLEN, b. 1783, NC.; d. 04 Apr 1851, Somerset, Pulaski, KY.

3. ii. FRANCES (FRANKIE) ALLEN, b. 06 May 1784, NC.; d. 06 May 1846.

4. iii. RIAL EASTER ALLEN, b. 1791, Orange Co., NC.; d. 29 Sep 1865, St. Joseph, Buchanan, MO.

5. iv. DAVID ALLEN, b. 17 Sep 1797, Chester Co. SC.; d. 18 Oct 1881, Bushnell, McDonough, IL.

6. v. SAMUEL (UNCLE SAM) ALLEN, JR., b. 15 Sep 1799, Chester Co., SC; d. 04 Dec 1882.