Descendents of William Allen

    William Allen appears in Salisbury,Ma in 1639. The date of his arrival is unknown as is the specific place in England from whence he immigrated. It is possible that he came from Great Yarmouth,Norfolk which is the place that his wife Ann Goodale lived. William lived in Salisbury until his death in 1686. He remarried, following the death of his wife Ann in 1678, Alice (–) who had two former husbands, John Roper and John Dickinson. This Alice died 1 Apr 1687.

    William participated in the first division of land in Salisbury in 1639 when the town was called Colchester. By trade he was a house carpenter; as he consistently signed documents by marks, it is assumed that he was unable to write. He participated when the town divided the mowing of the beach lots in 1654, and in 1657 he bought lot #35 of Mr. Hall’s farm for the large sum of 1 pound 18 shilling. His name appears on several church lists and peitions. He also bought and sold several small planting lots, ox commons, etc betweeen 1650 and 1657.

    He was sworn constable of Salisbury in 1650 and was on the Grand Jury of Salisbury in 1666. He was twice in court in 1677 relative to his complaint against against his servant Sarah Taylor and for a complaint against him by Joseph Greeley. In summary we see William Allen as a righteoue family man, a good concerned ciizen, and a man of strength willing to embark on a perilous journey to the “New World”.

   William Allen made his will on 2 April 1674 which was subject to probate 22 July 1686. The will speaks of all of the children except daughter Ruth. It is assumed that this daughter Ruth was already deceased. The inventory was in the amount of 380 Pounds 17 Shillings.

Sources:PH212:V1:6-9;PH19:72-73;PH97:16;PH71:VIII-#2:17