William Allen "1st settlers of Salisbury Mass 1639"

William Allen, also recorded as Allin, was an early Salisbury, Massachusetts, landholder, townsman, commoner, and house carpenter. He was born about 1618 and died by 18 June 1686. He married first Ann Goodale and, about 1684, married secondly Alice, widow of John Roper and John Dickison. His will, dated 16 April 1674 with a codicil dated 7 November 1676, was proved 22 July 1686.

William Allen, also called William Allin, was born about 1618. Family-tree notes identify him as among the first settlers of Salisbury, Massachusetts, in 1639. He received land in Salisbury in the first division and again in 1640.

He married first Ann Goodale. Their children are recorded as having been born in Salisbury: Abigail, born 4 January 1639/40, who married Henry Wheeler; Hannah, born 17 June 1642, who married Peter Ayer; Mary, born 29 June 1644, who married George Hewes; Martha, born in 1646, who married Richard Hubbard; John, born 9 October 1648, who married Mary (Pike) Adros, a widow; William, born 2 October 1650, who married Mary Harris; Benjamin, born in 1652, who married Rachel Wheeler, a widow, and Hopestill Leonard; Joseph, born 13 October 1653; Richard, born 8 November 1655; Ruth, born 19 February 1657/58; and Jeremiah, born 17 February 1658/59, who married Ann Bradbury.

In 1650, William was described as a “townsman and commoner,” and his occupation was given as house carpenter. His will was written in Boston on 16 April 1674, and he added a codicil on 7 November 1676. The will was proved on 22 July 1686.

Richard Allen died unmarried on 8 June 1678. The notes state that a Richard Allin served in King Philip’s War under Lieut. Benjamin Swett in June 1676, but do not establish whether this was William’s son. Joseph was living in 1678; an estate inventory for a Joseph Allen was taken in June 1682 and names a widow, Bethia, and children, though the notes do not establish that this was William’s son. Ruth was not named in William’s 1674 will. Jeremiah was living in Salisbury in 1708.

About 1684, William married secondly Alice, whose surname is not given. She was the widow of John Roper and John Dickison. William died by 18 June 1686; his will was proved the following month.

Historical context

The surviving notes place William Allen in early Salisbury, Massachusetts, where he held land, participated in town life as a townsman and commoner, and worked as a house carpenter. They also connect one Richard Allin, though not conclusively William’s son, with service during King Philip’s War in 1676.

Sources & research

“The Old Families of Salisbury & Amesbury, Mass.” by Hoyt, p. 31.

“Early Vital Records of Salisbury”