Married Elizabeth on 27 May 1858
Massachusetts Superior Court Judge 1872 to 1881
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Judge 5 September 1881 to 4 June 1891

Death of Judge William Allen
William Allen, justice of the supreme court, died very suddenly at his Northampton home early yesterday morning of neuralgia of the heart. The news will come as a shock to Judge Allen's associates in the courts and other friends, for he was thought to be recovering from an illness that confined him to the house for some weeks, and was recently able to join in a consultation of the justices at Boston. He rode out Wednesday, and seemed in cheerful spirits at the prospect of returning health. During the night he complained of pain in one shoulder, but he was relieved before morning. He rose early, dressed himself and took some nourishment. He lay down again for a moment and death came without warning. A physician had been called early in the morning as the family were anxious about recurrence of the rheumatic pain, but he did not reach the house in tome to offer relief.
The end seem untimely to Judge Allen's acquaintances, for he had a robust physique and enjoyed health that would seem to entitle him to a much longer time of service on the bench which he honored. By temperament and training he was peculiarly fitted for judicial work, and in the 20 years on superior and supreme benches he had won a reputation as a thorough, conscientious and able member, whose opinions were always respected. Judge Allen had a metaphysical mind, and his analysis was always keen and logical, while his thoroughness fortified the law precedents he established on every side and in refined details. Thus, while his associates might not agree with his selection of the issue on which the decision turned, he left no phase unconsidered or branch that had not been thoroughly worked out. He excelled in capacity for accurate thought, and while not a "case lawyer" who could attract attention by accumulative knowledge, he was a good legal student. He was particularly familiar with the history of statutory law, and made careful reference to precedent in his opinions. As a presiding officer in the court room Judge Allen had rare power of self-control, and it was a common saying among members of the bar that they could not get the slightest indication from his face or manner whether he approved or disapproved of the line of argument, or how he was likely to decide on a case. He had a fine-grained nature, and a sunny temperament. Judge Allen's personal appearance was most attractive. For many years his long hair, brushed back from the forehead, and full, round beard have been perfectly white, contrasting with fine effect with a delicately cut face and complexion that betrayed a the slightest flush. He was a gentle man, with a pleasing voice and cordial, graceful manner, but he by no means weak. He inherited the heroic blood of the Revolutionary Allens, leading his associates to say that he would go to the stake for what he considered duty, and had a resolute will that flashed out at intervals surprising those who did not know him intimately. When friends knew that he was too ill to work he often resolutely kept in his seat without betraying any sign of discomfort.
Judge Allen came of distinguished ancestry, being a descendant of Samuel Allyn, a pioneer settler at Windsor, Ct., whose son Samuel cut into the wilderness at Northampton 250 years ago. His grandfather, Rev Thomas Allen, with two brothers, Maj Solomon Allen and Rev Moses Allen were distinguished in the Revolution. Two of them were chaplains in the Revolutionary war, but all of them shouldered muskets. Thomas fought in the battle of Bennington, while Moses was captured elsewhere and was drowned while attempting to escape from a British prison ship. Rev Thomas Allen was 46 years pastor of the old church at Pittsfield, and at his death his son, Rev William Allen, father of Judge Allen, succeeded to his pulpit. Rev Dr William Allen graduated from Harvard in 1802, and his declining years at Northampton with his son were spent in literary work. He was a distinguished scholar, serving as president of Bowdoin college from 1820 to 1839. While his father was president of Bowdoin, William Allen was born at Brunswick, Me., March 31 1822. He studied at Phillips academy, Andover and entered Bowdoin college, remaining during his father's occupancy of the president's chair. In 1839 he entered Amherst college and graduated there in 1842. Law studies followed, a art of the course being taken at New Haven, and in 1845 he was admitted to the bar at Northampton, where he quickly took a prominent place. For 10 years Samuel T Spaulding, Charles Deland and William Allen, Jr were the leading lawyers in active practice at the Hampshire bar. In 1869 Daiel W Bond entered William Allen's law office, and continued in partnership until the latter was appointed by Gov Washburn judge of the superior court in 1872 to succeed Judge H A Scudder, who resigned. In 1881, when Judge Colt of the supreme court died, Gov Long promptly promoted Judge Allen to fill the vacancy. Judge Allen resigned his place on the superior bench and Marcus P Knowlton of this city was appointed in his place, so that both nominations were confirmed at the same time.
Judge Allen's modest nature led him to shun prominence in public affairs, and he was particularly jealous to preserve the proprieties of his office. Thus after his appointment as judge he retired almost wholly from local life, but his intimate friends still enjoyed the hospitalities of his home. Duties took him to Boston a large part of the winter, and he spent that season in late years with his family at the Bellevue hotel. But around his North street home at Northampton his affections centered, and his leisure time was almost all occupied with his family. His wife, who survives him, was Miss Elizabeth H Tenney, daughter of Rev Dr Caleb J Tenney, whom he married in 1858. Mrs Allen is a descendant of William Ellery, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. They had two children, the only son, William, dying in childhood. The daughter, Miss Clara C Allen, lives at home. Of the sisters, Mrs Hopkins, Mrs Hammond and Miss Allen live at Northampton, while a brother, Rev John W Allen, a member of the class of 34 at Amherst college and a chaplain in the war, died a few years ago.
In his early practice of law Judge Allen was often associated with C P Huntington, president of the Northampton institution for savings, and in 1868 Judge Allen was chosen the president, an office he held for eight years. He was also a trustee of the Clarke institute for deaf mutes. His reluctancy to hold any office was overcome a year ago by Amherst college graduates who induced him to take the presidency of the Connecticut valley association of the alumni, and he presided gracefully at the banquet of the organization in this city last spring. Judge Allen was of course brought up a Congregationalist, and was a warm personal friend of Rev Dr Leavitt, when h was pastor of Northampton's old First church. Recently he attended the Episcopal church, where his daughter is an active worker. While Jude Allen was a republican when appointed to the bench, he had voted independently in late years. Members of the Hampshire bar planned for a recognition of Judge Allen's prominence a few years ago by arranging to his his portrait adorn the new county court house. When he learned of the movement he modestly refused to allow the plan to go on, declining to have his picture placed there during his lifetime. The plan will undoubtedly be carried out now.
Arrangements have been made to hold the funeral from the house tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock. Members of the Hampshire bar will be the active bearers, while the supreme court judges will form an honorary escort. Rev P M Washburn, rector of St John church, will officiate.
(Springfield Republican, Friday 5 June 1891, p8)
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WILLIAM ALLEN President 1868-1876
He came of pioneer ancestry, being a direct descendant of Samuel Allyn, one of the first settlers of Windsor, Connecticut, whose son Samuel joined the small band that went our to hew its fortunes out of the wilderness around Northampton. His grandfather, Thomas Allyn, studied theology with the Rev. John Hooker of Northampton and became the first minister of Pittsfield. He was known as the "Fighting Parson", on account of his valor at the battle of Bennington and in other engagements. William Allen's father was elected president of Dartmouth 1816, of Bowdoin College 1819, and in 1829 removed to Northampton. His mother was the daughter of the Rev. John Weelock, President of Dartmouth College. Phillips Academy in Andover, Bowdin and Amherst Colleges gave William Allen his preliminary education, then came the study of law in the law schools of New Haven and Northampton, his admission to the bar in 1845, and he soon became one of the leading lawyers of the county. For a while he was associated with Judge Huntington, was appointed to the Superior Court in 1872, and on the death of Justice Colt, was elevated to the Supreme Judicial Court of the State by Governor Long in 1881. Together with his father and with his brother-in-law, Erastus Hopkins, he had been a firm supporter of the anti-slavery cause and being a man of firm principles, adhered to it to the end. He was one of the original corporators of The Clarke Institution for the Deaf, and the Northampton Institution for Savings had his sympathy and active support from the beginning, and his guiding hand as its president from 1868 to 1876.
Northampton and the Northampton Institution for Savings 1842-1942, Metcalf Pntg. & Pub. Co., Inc., Northampton, Mass.
(47347066)