Martin was a volunteer in the Republic Army of the North under General Bernardo Guiterrez in 1812 and 1813 *Gutierrez / Magee Expedition) His father Benjamin, brother HIram and a nephew were also all memebers. All except Martin took part in the Battle of Medina Aug 1813 near San Antonio TX. Benjamin and the nephew were killed in the battle. Hiram was wounded but died within a year.

Martin had gone to North Louisiana to gather more volunteers to help in the fight. In 1821 Maritn and his son's returned to Texas as part of Stephen F Austin's "Original 300" colonists.

Martin and his wife became were friends with Col. William Barrett Travis and Col. Travis stayed at their home many times. There are many journal entries in Col. Travis' daily journal re: the Allen's. These journals on are record with the State of Texas Archives in Austin.

Oct 1835 appeared on the muster rolls under Cpt Randall Joned at San Antonio during the "Seige of Bexar Battle"

June 1837- President Sam Houston made Martn Allen Associate Land Commisionar of Austin Co Texas and Justice of the Peace.

Feb 1838- Martin Allen's estate Inventory shows a value of $23,144.50 including 8610 acres including the Allen's Creek area.

Many historical markers have been erected in honor of Martn Allen.

•Burial: Wallis, Austin Co. ( Eight Miles Point), Austin Co., Texas, Allen Cemetery
•Census: 1820 Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
•Military Service: Gutierrez Magee Expedition
•PROP: Land Grant:07/19/1824, Wharton Co., Austin, Texas
•Reference Number: 4
•Occupation: Justice of Peace in Opelousus Parish, Loouisiana
•ARVL: 1821 Texas, Wharton County, selected a tract of land

A CALENDAR OF MARTIN ALLEN'S LIFE EVENTS:

Nov 28, 1780: Born in Newport, Campbell County, Kentucky. Note: The Handbook of Texas says Martin was born in Ireland, however, Martin's son, Benjamin Allen, in the 1880 Williamson County, Texas Federal census states that his father was born in Kentucky.
1795: Martin's father, Benjamin Allen, was on the property tax rolls in Newport. Benjamin was a road surveyor, a mill owner and a ferry operator. We do not know where he was born nor do we know the name of his first wife who was the mother of Martin. His second wife was Sarah Maddox who was widowed when Benjamin was killed in The Battle of Medina.
1804: Married Elizabeth Vice in Newport.
1807: Appointed a road surveyor in Campbell County, Kentucky.Also appointed as a Constable for this county lying on the west side of Licking Creek above Bowman's Creek. (Order Book 1 Page 44 June 1807).
A Campbell County delinquent tax list shows" Martin Allen - Gone to Indian Territory".
1810: Martin, his wife Elizabeth, 1 son and 2 daughters are on the Census for Old Attakapas District of Louisiana. (present day St Mary's Parish)
1811: Appointed Justice of Peace in Opelousus Parish, Louisiana.
1812: Martin, his father Benjamin, his brother Hiram, and his nephew (We dont know name of the nephew) joined" The Republician Army of The North", based in Natchitoches, Louisiana, also known in history books as "The Gutierrez/Magee Expedition" which was funded under the table by the USA to take Texas away from Spain.
1813: The Expedition did take Texas away from Spain for several months (Note this is some 23 years before the Battle of The Alamo and The Battle of San Jacinto). The Expedition force, including Allen family members, walked on the La Bahia Road to Goliad. (This is the same road used to drive Texas Longhorn Cattle to Louisiana in 1776 to feed Spanish troops in New Orleans who kept the Mississippi open for the Colonists to receive supplies). Then on to San Antonio.
August 13, 1813: They lost Texas back to Spain at The Battle of Medina, near San Antonio, the bloodiest battle ever fought on Texas soil. Martin missed the battle as he was in Louisiana getting more volunteers. His father and nephew were killed in the battle and his brother was wounded. A solid green was the flag of the Expedition so we say Texas has been under SEVEN not SIX flags!.
1817: Martin and family are listed on Southwest Arkansas Territory Census. Campbell County KY Court Record Book D-2, Page 96, 13 August 1817, recorded 26 Jan 1818: Martin Allen and wife Elizabeth state" residents of The Territory of Missouri and County of Arkansas".
1820: Were in North Louisiana near Flat Lick (Present Claiborne Parish near present town of Homer). Here he was made Justice of Peace. A post office was established and the area named "Allen's Settlement" in his honor. NOTE: This is NOT present town of ALLEN near present Natchitoches, La. (See Special items section for charts showing Martin Allen family geographical home locations and children birth locations)
1820: On Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana Census with wife and children. (The Parish then covered the greater portion of Northwest Louisiana of today.)
1821: Made trip to what is now Wharton County, Texas and as a prospective Stephen F Austin old 300 colonist selected a tract of land on Peach Creek, near The Colorado River, built a cabin and planted a crop. (This land presently makes up a portion of the campus of Wharton Junior College and has been recognized by The Texas State Historical Society by placing a Highway Historical Marker there showing the owners and use of the land since it was first granted to Martin Allen.The marker is on the southwest portion of the campus,along the east side of the road running between the campus and a railroad in a southerly direction toward the town of Boling. The marker is directly across the railroad from a H E B grocery store).
1822: Wrote Stephen F Austin from Louisiana asking delivery of title on the Peach Creek land. He was back in Louisiana to move his family to Peach Creek but found his wife too ill to travel. So he sent his two oldest sons, Miles and James Bud, to plant a second crop.
1824: Land grants to Martin Allen signed by Stephen F Austin on Peach Creek tract and a tract in Austin County.
1825: Martin and family left Allen's Settlement for Peach Creek land in Wharton County.
1826: Was in skirmish with Tonkawa Indians, assumed near Peach Creek.
August 3, 1826: The Bexar Archives shows Martin Allen deposition on the chartacter of Peter Ellis Bean as requested by Political Chief Jose Antonio Saucedo of San Antonio, through Stephen F Austin. Austin described Martin Allen as " an honorable and respected citizen of this colony".
January 4, 1827: In The Mina Community (Present Bastrop ,Texas) Martin signed The Resolution of Loyalty to Mexico and Opposition to The Fredonian Rebellion.
May 21, 1827: Son Miles N. Allen received one fourth league of land in Austin's Second Colony.This land was, or presently is, in what is known as The Allen's Creek/ Reservoir area located east of Highwat 36, 8 miles south of Sealy. The land was purchased by Martin from his son because the son's health was failing and the Indians were so bad at Peach Creek that Martin moved all of his family here to be closer to protection from San Felipe. Some Allen families lived on this land, known as 8 mile point from Martin Allen days because it is 8 miles from San Felipe, as late as 1974.
1829: Elected Capt of the 2nd Company of Militia and son Miles elected Lt.
July 5, 1829: Reported to Stephen F Austin from Harrisburg on status of the military muster and the Indian situation.
1829: Was made their "White Chief" by the Indian tribes. Martin wrote S F Austin concerning the military law in dealing with Indians.
SOME DECISIONS BY THE AYUNTAMIENTO (Colony Council) OF SAN FELIPE DE AUSTIN CONCERNING MARTIN ALLEN:
February 1830:Martin Allen elected road supervisor.
April 1830: Granted right to operate a ferry on Buffalo Bayou at Harrisburg.
1832: Made 5th Regidor (Alderman)
June 25, 1832: Signed the "Call for Calm" at San Felipe.
June 30, 1832: Signed the "Call for Convention of 1832".
1833: See below for entries in daily log of Col William B Travis in 1833 and 1834 for references in the log to the Allen family in representing them in legal matters and often stayed at the "Allen Public House" as a paying guest.
July 4, 1835: Ayuntamiento set up 5 man committee , including Martin Allen, to draft a resolution for consideration by The Colony.
October 1835: Appeared on Capt Randall Jones Muster Roll at San Antonio at the beginning of The Siege of Bexar Battle.
November 1835: received honorable discharge from army signed by S F Austin.
December 6 and 7, 1835: Siege of Bexar Battle. Martin sons James Bud Allen and Benjamin Allen fought in the battle and received land grants for their service.
February 1836: Received receipt from Gonzales Committee for Safety , for a wagon, 2 oxen and supplies donated by Martin Allen.
May 24, 1836: Martin Allen is ordered by James Morgan of Galveston to take charge of the articles from the spy Cortinez. Since Martin was no longer in the Army perhaps this order to him was as a Captain of the Militi
1836: Appointed Justice of Peace.
November 23, 1836: Martin Allen petitions the new Republic of Texas for more land. This petition is a unique very "news telling" petition that all should read. It tells much of his family, his Texas life, family battle losses and shows the flavor of speech and writing/spelling of the time. Original is in Texas State Archives, copy in possession of this writer.
June 1837: President Sam Houston made Martin's son James Bud Allen, a 2nd Lt in the army of the Republic of Texas.
December 1837: Republic of Texas made Martin Allen Associate Land Commissioner of Austin County, Texas.
December 20, 1837: Martin Allen died on his beloved 8 Mile Point Land. He was buried in the family cemetery on the land on a high bank of Allen's Creek. Family members were buried there for many years and the cemetery is still visited by family members. Present landowner Houston Lighting & Power has respected the cemetery, and granted family members approval to visit the area. We hope and pray future owners of the land will also do so. In April of 1995 the land was optioned to The Brazos River Authority which is considering construction of a large lake to serve as a water supply for the city of Houston. Several descendants have petitioned to name the lake LAKE MARTIN ALLEN.
February 1838: Martin Allen Estate Inventory shows a value of $23, 144.50 including 8610 acres including the Allen's Creek area. At this point in time, this was a very large fortune.
MARTIN ALLEN AND ALLEN FAMILY REFERENCES IN THE DAILY LOG OF COL WILLIAM B TRAVIS, who served the Allen family in legal matters and often stayed (Note Travis spells STAID at The "Allen Public House" (Early Texas Motel) as a paying guest.
1833:
Oct 8 : Martin Allen petitions court for security discharge.
Oct 19: Wrote deed from Patrick Reels to Martin Allen for 2 labors of land. Rec's Allen $5.
Oct 24: Left San Felipe and staid at Martin Allen's all night.
Oct 25: Paid Allen $1.00.
Dec 24: Wrote to Martin Allen.
1834:
Jan 24: Left San Felipe and staid all night at Allen's.
Jan 25: Paid Mrs Allen $1.25 18 3/4 due.
Feb 5 : Dined at Allen's - paid 62 1/2 cts. Retained by Miles Allen (For legal work).
Feb 15: To bring suit vs Martin Allen and S C Harrison.
Feb 21: Left San Felipe 11 O'Clock on mule. Dined at Allen's.
Mar 5 : Staid all night at Allen's.
Mar 6 : Paid Allen $1 owe 25 cts.
Mar 29: Dined at Allen's paid 18 3/4 cts.
May 22: Staid all night at Allen's.
May 23: Paid 50 cts- to Mrs Allen.
The above taken from "DIARY OF WILLIAM BARRETT TRAVIS" Edited by Robert E. Davis, published by Texian Press, 1966.
BOOKS AND OR REPORTS IN WHICH MARTIN ALLEN OR THE ALLEN FAMILY IS MENTIONED:
1. "Papers of the Texas Revoluition 1835-1836" John H Jenkins, Editor, Volume 6. Pages 238 and 367 refer to Martin Allen.
2. "William Bollart's Texas" edited by W Eugene Hollas. Page 39 refers to the "Allen Public House" and "Crossed Allen's Creek. (Bollart also said, "Also known as 8 Mile Creek")".
3."Handbook of Texas" edited by Walter Prescott Webb Volume I pages 30 and 31 refer to Martin Allen. Page 32 refers to Allen's Creek. NOTE: Mr Harwood P Hinton, Senior Editor of the new revised "Handbook of Texas" to be published in 1996, advised that a revised and expanded section will be included on Martin Allen.
4. "Citizens of the Republic of Texas" by J H Morris. Page 71 shows Martin Allen and family members.
5. "Bexar Archives 1717-1836" by Adam Benavides, Jr. Page 22 (1826) refers to Martin Allen.
6. "The Austin Papers" in the Texas State Archives includes many documents relating to Martin Allen, including his unique petition and many of his letters to S F Austin and others of the time.
7, "Minutes of the Ayuntamiento of San Felipe de Austin 1828-1832" edited by Eugene C Barker, printed by the Southwest Historical Quarterly Volume XXIII July 19 to April 1920. Many references are made to Martin Alle
8. "Texas Historical Quarterly" for October 1897 Volume I lists the original 300 S F Austin Colonists including Martin Allen. It shows that Martin Allen received one sitio of land in Wharton County (The Peach Creek land) and one labor of land in Austin County both on July 19, 1824. (These were his initial acquisitions).
9. "Debrett's Texas Peerage" by Hugh Best. Page 293 and 294 refer to Martin Allen and some of of his present day ancestors. Page 348. "Carriage Trade of the Republic" section lists Martin Allen as owning a race horse in Brazoria County. Page 361 lists Martin Allen as a member of the old 300.
10. The Kentucky Post Newspaper (Covington, Kentucky near Martin's birthplace) on Monday March 9, 1992 presented a special article on Campbell County, Kentucky men who went to Texas to fight for independence. The article featured Sidney Sherman who led the infantry charge at San Jacinto and Martin Allen.

MARTIN ALLEN HIGHWAY HISTORICAL MARKERS AND MUSEUM PLAQUE:
1. Highway Historical Marker erected by The Texas Historical Society located in Wharton, Texas on the south and west edge of The Wharton County Junior College campus. Marker sets out history of ownership and use of land Martin Allen received on Peach Creek in 1824.
2. Highway Historical Marker erected by the Texas Historical Society located on the east boundary of State Highway 368 miles south of Sealy, Texas. Marker is on land that is part of the 8610 acres owned by Martin Allen on and near Allen's Creek at the time of his death. Marker is dedicated to the memory and accomplishments of Martin Allen in early Texas history.
3. In San Antonio at The Institute of Texas Cultures, in the Irish Section, there is a plaque telling some of the Martin Allen story as well as a copy of his actual signature.The plaque reports that he was born in Ireland based on "The Handbook of Texas". The Handbook editor advised me they could find no record of evidence of such birth. The Williamson County, Texas Federal Census of 1880, by Benjamin Allen, son of Martin Allen, states that Benjamin's father was born in Kentucky.

Martin ALLEN and Elizabeth (VIZE) VICE were married on 27 Sep 1804 in Newport, Campbell County, Kentucky.5 Elizabeth (VIZE) VICE (daughter of Nathaniel VICE Sr. and Jemminmah) was born on 26 Jul 1784 in Newport, Campbell County, Kentucky.5 She died on 8 Feb 1842 in Austin County, Texas

Member Ayuntamiento of Mina (Goliad)
Associate Land Commissioner for Austin County
Justice of Peace in Austin
Martin and his father moved from Campbell County , Kentucky around 1808 to Louisana.
He was married to Elizabeth Vice and had three children, Miles N. , Anna Catherine, and Mary G. Upon reaching a settlement in Louisana, which was later renamed Allen's settlement. He and Elizabeth had James Bud, Elizabeth ,Martin Jackson , Nancy, Saraha, and Benjamin John, and Carolina Eliza Matild In 1809 , Martin and his father and their families led a colony of settlers from Kentucky to the coast of ''Louisiana, then called Attakapas Parish, Now St. Marys. The Allens moved further inland to Natchitoches Parish and founded what was then know a Allen's Settlement. Later the name was shortened to Allen. Lousiana It is located not far from the town of Natchitoches. When the "republican Army of the North" was defeated at Medina River in Texas. Martin Allen returned to Allen's Settlement in Louisana to care for his family and step-mother , Sarah. There are various documents in Natchitoches Parish concerning Sarah after her husband's death. In February of 1822, she bought a slave and child from James W. Allen; October of 1822 she recorded a will in which the two slaves were to be freed upon her death. Then in February of 1823 Sarah mortgaged the two slaves for a debt of $100. Mary Ann Allen the widow of Hiram, Married Dury Thompson in St. Parish in 1814. In 1820 , Mose Austin obtained permission from the Spanish government, to establish a colony of settlers from the United States on Spanish soil in the Provence of Tejas. Returning to Missouri, Mose Austin became ill and died. His deathbed wish was that his son , Stephen F. Austin, carry through with his plans for a colony. In August of 1821 ,Stephen Austin returned to San Antonio to finalize the agreement with Governor Martinez to bring 300 families to Tajas. These 300 Families, know as "The OLD THREE HUNDRED" are considered the founders of Texas. The next year in 1822, Martin Allen began preparation to fulfill his dream of moving to Texas. Martin began the move on his own before applying to Austin. Throughout the "Austin Papers" are letters from Martin Allen to Austin. These letters have provided a wealth of information on Austin's Colony and the Allen family's move to Texas. We know it took three years for martin to finalize the move. In 1822 he was 42 years old , and Mary was 38 and the mother of eight children. Their ages ranged from 16 to a baby of less than a year old. In the 1826 Census of Texas we can only account for seven children, Three boys and four girls. It is possible the one boy died or stayed in Louisiana. TX+index+711170730+F at searches.rootweb.com source for following information
Cnidr isearch-cgi 1.20.06 (file probate.txt) Houston Texas Newspaper Probate Notices 1839-1844. Probate Notices From The Houston Morning Star Newspaper 1839-1844. Probate notices in Houston newspapers were placed as advertisements notifying the " Republic of Texas, County of Harrisburg (later Harris)Probate court, (date) Notice is hereby given to all whom it may concern that- The following list the petitioners name first , then the deceased, as noted wit. ( on page 4 0f 5) James B. Allen for Martin Allen, dec'd 7/7/1840:2


Martin Allen is my husband's 5th great grandfather.