Samuel Allen (unknown-1777) - Find a Grave Memorial

Samuel Allen was the son of William Allen and Elizabeth (unknown). He was born in North Ireland in "County Antrim, " before 1730. As he came in 1730 with his father from Antrim. He died before 23 Apr 1777, probably in Hanover Twp., Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, where he resided and his legal papers are recorded. He married Rebecca Smith 11 Feb 1757 by Rev. John Roan, at Paxtang Church, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (in 1785 became Dauphin County). Per the Marriage Record of Paxtang and Derry Churches, 1741 - 1810, in the Record of Pennsylvania Marriages, Prior to 1810, Vol I, by Clarence M. Busch, State Printer of Pennsylvania, 1895, p 802.

There's no proof he was or was not in the French and Indian War. However, he was not the Captain Samuel Allen who served in the 1st Battalion of the Pennsylvania Regiment on 9 Jan 1758 and was once connected with Col. William Denny (see History of Dauphin and Lebanon Counties... by Wm H Egle, p 55, also see the Journal of Lieutenant (Jacob) Kern in 1758 ).

He made an East Side application, on 12 Jan 1767 for 200 acres in Hanover Twp., then in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania (adjoining the lands of James Ashley, John Wood the widow Lobs & Daniel Shaw in Hanover Tp (Township) Lant (Lancaster) Co. including his Imprt. (improvements) made about 4 years ago).

In 1767, Samuel Allen was an overseer of the roads in the west end of Dauphin County. History of the Counties of Dauphin and Lebanon in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by William Henry Egle, Philadelphia, 1883, p 426. Page 102 lists a Samuel Allen with non-associators on 20 Aug 1777, meaning he did not sign the oath to service or was possibly disabled physically and unable to fight. It was not his son Samuel, Jr., as he was born in 1776. Plus this Samuel, Sr. died before April 1777.

In Feb 1769, his name appears on the petition against division of Hanover Twp. and is also on the Provincial assessment list.

Samuel Allen was on the Hanover Tax list for 1771.

1772: Ye ancient inhabitants of West Hanover Assessment (tax) in 1772 includes Saml. Allen, Joseph Allen, and William Allen. Notes and Queries: Historical, Biographical & Genealogical, Chiefly Relating to Interior Pennsylvania, 1st-2d ser., v. 1-2, page 90, edited by William H. Egle, 1883-1889. Samuel paid 5 shillings and 6 pence on 100 cleared acres, 100 acres of wood land, (hard to read) 8 h Cows, 2 horses, & 10 Cows. Suspect the last "cows" should instead be sheep like the entries above it for William Allen and Joseph Allen. See copy on his father's site, on the right side of the last page of his will. I also suspect his father was the land owner and had given some to sons Samuel and Joseph, who were paying taxes on it.

A "Samuel Allen" was on the Hanover Tax list for 1777 and appears to have disappeared, due to his death.

An Index to the Will Books and Intestate Records of Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, 1729 - 1860, page 52 lists Samuel Allen, record dated 1777, Will Book left unnumbered. Suspect this document refers to the bond below.

1777: Lancaster Co. Bond Book 3, page 15, 23 Apr 1777, Peter Hoofnagle, Esq, Registrar of Probate to "Rebecca Allen (Widow of Samuel Allen of Hanover Township, deceased) and James Willson of the said County of Lancaster.. Whereas the faid Samuel Allen lately died inteftate (as is affirmed) having, whilft he lived, and as the time of his Deceafe, divers Goods and Chattles, Rights" (etc.)…. to make an inventory of same by 23 May, and is dated 23 Apr 1778 (may be at the Historical Society per Lancaster Court of Common Pleas). See my photo.

His name appears in Lancaster County Orphans Court records, since he has left under age children. Orphans Court, Vol I, Bk A, page 163, 173-175. Orphans Court Lancaster County Misc. Book, 1776-1782, page 29, 95, "248" and 249.

On 3 Mar 1993, the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County sent me their transcribed version of 2 pages from their Misc. Book records from 1776 - 1782, page 29 and 249 involving Samuel Allen (see photos).

1) Page 29: August 6th "1777." AT AN ORPHAN'S COURT held at Lancaster for the County of Lancaster the sixth day of August in the Year of our Lord 1777. Before William Henry(,) James Baily(,) Jacob Cook(,) Moses Irwin and Steward Herbert Esquires Justice of the same Court. Sam. Allen deced Copy. THE COURT appoints James Willson and William Allen both of Hannover Township Guardians over the Estates of Mary Allen, William Allen(,) Elizabeth Allen(,) David Allen & Samuel Allen Minor Children of Samuel Allen late of the same Township deceased then being severaly under the Age of fourteen years during their Minority.

2) Page 249: At AN ORPHAN'S COURT held at Lancaster for the County of Lancaster on the fifth Day of May Anno Domini 1780.* Before John Creaig, Joshua Older and Charles Hall Esquires of the same Court. Samuel Allen deced. THE COURT appoints James Byers of Paxton Township and William Allen Junior (this was Samuel's brother, the Colonel) of Hanover Township Guardian over the Estate of Mary Allen, William Allen, Elizabeth Allen, David Allen and Samuel Allen minor Children of Samuel Allen late of Hanover deced they being severally under the Age of fourteen years during their minority.

*I could assume the Rev. War kept uncle Col. William Allen away, from settling the estate of his brother Samuel Allen in 1777. James WIllson, the other guardian - not sure. In 1735, his father William Allen purchased land that was patented on 19 May 1761 by James Wilson. Many Wilsons were in Derry Twp., in Lancaster Co

=Saml Allen deced. DAVID CALDWELL and Rebecca his wife late Rebecca Allen Widow and Relict of Samuel Allen late of Hanover Township deceased and James Willson Administrators of all an Singular the Goods and Chattles Rights and Credits which were of the said deceased, Produced to the Court the Account of their Administration on the Estate of the said deceased duly passed before the Register whereby there appears a Balance in their Hands of £433..8..0 and the sum of £2..6..0 received since the passing of their Account which account the Court allows and approves of and directs that after deducting £ 21..7..1 for Sundry Expenses in and about the Administration of the said Estate, and the sum of £16..18..0 for their Extraordinary trouble about the Premises with £1..4..0 the Expences of this Court amounting in the whole to £39..9..10 which will reduce the said Balance to £396..4..2 be paid and distributed in manner following:-

To the said David Caldwell & Rebecca his wife. £132..1..4-3/4

To William Allen Eldest son of the deceased…….. 88..1..0

To Mary Allen……………………………………….. 44..0..6

To Elizabeth Allen……………………………….… ..44..0..6

To David Allen………………………………….… …44..0..6

To Samuel Allen…………………………………..… 44..0..6

£396..4..4-3/4

Samuel Allen

deced

THE COURT appoints James Willson (formerly Commissioner) and John Gilchrist senior Guardians over the Estates of May Allen, William Allen, Elizabeth Allen, David Allen and Samuel Allen Minor Children of Samuel Allen late of Hanover Township deceased in the room and Stead of James Willson and William Allen formerly appointed their Guardians the said minors being severally under the age of fourteen years during their Minority. See photo of this page. Lancaster County, misc., 1776-1782, page 95, Orphan Court held at Lancaster 2nd Sept 1778.

Samuel and his family are connected to his parents, wife, children, including daughter Elizabeth, son in law David Strain and 3 of their children: Wm, Jas and (Mrs. Elizabeth) Hiser. in "Allen of Hanover" in Pennsylvania Genealogies: Chiefly Scotch-Irish and German by Dr. William Henry Egle, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 1896, page 7-14. It says he died "before 1788" (one doc is dated 1788 but the first was 1777). Typo? It also says he was born in Hanover and County Antrim on the same page.

16 Sep 1788, Orphans Court, Vol. I, Book A, p 163-164. At an Orphans Court holden at Louisbourg in and for the County of Dauphin the sixteenth day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and eighty eight Before Timothy Green, Jacob Cook and John Kease(sp?). Upon the Petition of William Allen Jun.r* of Hanover Township setting forth That the Petitioner is eldest Son of Samuel Allen late of West Hanover deceased who died intestate leaving a Widow and Ifsue Mary/now Mary Barnet(,) William the Petitioner, Elizabeth and David, and a real Estate situate in Hanover aforesaid, consisting of two Plantations, one bounded by Lands of Captain Wilson, James Calhoun and others, the other by Land of Adam Firebaugh, Andrew Homer and others, And being of full Age, therefore praying the Court to order an Inquest to view and divide the Lands aforesaid, if the same can be done without Prejudice to and spoiling the whole, if it cannot be done then to value the Same as the Law directs and make Return thereof to the next Orphans Court(.) The Court hereupon do order that the Sheriff of Dauphin County to wit Anthony Kelker Esquire do forthwith Summon an Inquest to view the Said Plantations with the Appurtenances in the Said Petitions mentioned and make Partition thereof in Case they the Said Inquest do find that the Same may be divided to and among the Widow and Children of the Said deceased with out Prejudice to and spoiling of the whole but if they find that the Same may not be so divided, then to value and appraise the Same. That Notice of the time of Such Partition or Valuation be given to all the Parties interested and that thay make Report of their Proceedings herein to the next Orphans Court.

On 27 Sep 1780, his father, William Allen wrote his will listing several grandchildren, Sarah Dixon, Allen Dixon, Mary Allen and William Allen, "Children to my deceased son Samuel Allen." Plus it adds: "Item I also Will and Bequeath unto my Grand Daughter MARY Allen and to my Grandson WILLIAM Allen (Children to my DECEASED SON SAMUEL ALLEN) the sum of two Hundred pounds to - each of them, of the aforesaid money and to be paid at the time aforesaid." His father died on 26 Dec 1781.

18 Dec 1788, Orphans Court, Vol. 1, Book A. p 173-175. In Pursuance of an Order of this Court of the sixteenth day of September last past for the Partition or Valuation of the real Estate of Samuel Alen late of West Hanover Township deceased the Sheriff of Dauphin County to wit James Clunic Esquire returns the said Order with an Inquisition there unto annexed takers on the Oaths and affirmations of Captain James Wilson, Robert Moody, John Cooper, John McElheany, Thomas Bell, Thomas McCord, James Calhorn, John Grimes, James McMillian Peter Pirst, Michael Venlear and Samuel Sturgeon twelve good and lawful Men of the Bailiwick of the Same Sheriff, who upon their Oaths and affirmations aforesa__ respectively do say That they have viewed two Tracts on (or one) Pieces of Land situate in West Hanover Township of which Samuel Allen deceased in his life time was seised and pofsefsed and entitled to, and do find that the said two Tracts on (or one) Piece of Land cannot be divided to and among the Widow and Children of the deceased without Prejudice to and spoiling of the whole, And that the said two Tracts or pieces of Land being the two Tracts or pieces of Land in the said Order mentioned are worth and of the value following, to wit. Tract No. 1 situate in the Township aforesaid adjoining Lands of James Wilson(,) James Calhoun and Michael Venlear and others containing about One hundred and forty Acres and an half Acre with the Appurtenances is worth and of the Value of Three hundred and fifty one Pounds five Shillings in gold or silver Coin and Money of Pennsylvania. And Tract No. 2 situate in the Township aforesaid adjoining Lands of Andrew Horner(,) Adam Firebough, Nicholas Pratts and others containing about One hundred and forty seven Acres with Appurtenances thereunto belonging is worth and of the Value of Two hundred and twenty Pounds ten shillings Money aforesaid, Which Inquisitt__ being read and heard is approved of and confirmed by the Court, and William Allen Jun.r the oldest Son of the said deceased appearing in Court and praying that he may be permitted to take the said two Tracts or pieces of Land at the valuation aforesaid, It is Ordered by the Court that the said William Allen Junr do, on paying or securing to be paid the several and respective Shares of the Widow and other Children of the said deceased of and in the Valuation or Appraisement aforesaid within one Year hold(?) and enjoy the said two Tracts or pieces of Land with the Appurtenances to him the said William Allen Junr his Heirs and Afsigns for ever, as fully and freely as his said Father had and hold the same in his lifetime, agreeably to the Acts of Afsembly in such Case made and provided.

The Court direct the Distribution of the Valuation aforesaid to Manner following. Viz

To Caldwell in Right of his Wife Rebecca,

late Widow of the deceased, the Interest of £190..11..8

To Barnet in right of Mary his Wife

late Mary Allen ………………………………………74..4..8

To William Allen Junr the eldest Son…………….152..9..4

To Elizabeth Allen …………………………………..76..4..8

And the said William Allen Junr offering himself to the Court together with Major William Allen of the Township of West Hanover as Sureties for the Payment of the Shares and Dividends aforesaid. The Court do approve and accept of the said William Allen Junior and Major William Allen as Sureties, and do finally order that the Expenses arising on the Valuation and Confirmation of the said two Tracts or pieces of Land to the said William Allen Junr be equally borne by the Parties interested.

William Allen Junr and Major William Allen both of the Township of West Hanover are held to Timothy Green Esquire and his Sucesfsor in the Sum of Eleven hundred and forth three Pounds ten shillings conditioned that the said William Allen Junr do within one year pay or cause to be paid the several and respective Shares of the Widow and Children of the deceased agreeably to the Valuation thereof made by the Inquest aforesaid. Acknowledged in open Court December 18th 1788.

Witnefs J Montgomery

At an Orphans Court holden at Louisbourg in and for the County of Dauphin the fifth day of January A D 1789 Before Jonathan McClure, John Kean & Joseph Montgomery Esqr Justices of the Same Court.

I could imagine that Samuel was buried on his homestead OR at the Old Hanover Churchyard where his daughter Mary and son William were buried. His daughter Elizabeth was married at the old church here that deteriorated and was removed. According to the East Hanover Township, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania, Bicentennial Celebration, 1776-1976, Ruth Carlson Editor, Bicentennial Book Committee (page 63-64), there are many people, in the churchyard cemetery in the enclosed walls and outside of it, that also do not have names, dates or markers. "There were about 1157 graves, with 879 markers, at unknown date. Yet today there are less than 300 existing old markers." The area around the eldest Allens has a lot of empty spaces.

"Allen, William, of Hanover, died (sic) in March 1782 (probate date instead) leaving a wife Elizabeth, and children: John, Sarah, m. James Dixon, Jean, m. John Sawyer, Elizabeth, m. Samuel Mann, Mary, m. John Snodgrass, SAMUEL and William. He mentions grandchildren Sarah and Allen Dixon, Mary and William Allen." Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, J. W. Runk, Pennsylvania, 1896, p 57. Above has some errors but appears to be describing this family.