William Allen "1st settlers of Salisbury Mass 1639"

William Allen, also recorded as Allin, was an early Salisbury, Massachusetts, settler and house carpenter. Born about 1618 in England, he received land in Salisbury’s first division and again in 1640, was listed as a townsman and commoner in 1650, and died at Salisbury on 18 June 1686. He was the father of a large family with his first wife, Ann Goodale.

William Allen, also recorded as Allin, was born about 1618 in England. He became one of the early settlers of Salisbury, Massachusetts, receiving land in the town’s first division and again in 1640.

Allen worked as a house carpenter. In 1650 he was described as a “townsman and commoner” of Salisbury.

He married first Ann Goodale. Their children were all reported as 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 and living in 1678; Richard, born 8 November 1655 and died 8 June 1678, unmarried; Ruth, born 19 February 1657/58; and Jeremiah, born 17 February 1658/59, who married Ann Bradbury and was living in Salisbury in 1708.

Family notes report that William married second, about 1684, Alice, whose surname is not given. She was the widow of John Roper and John Dickison.

William Allen wrote his will in Boston on 16 April 1674 and added a codicil on 7 November 1676. The will was proved on 22 July 1686. He died at Salisbury on 18 June 1686.

Historical context

Salisbury was among the early English settlements in Massachusetts. Land divisions and the designation of “townsman and commoner” reflect Allen’s participation in the community during its early years. His trade as a house carpenter would have been useful in a growing settlement.

Sources & research

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

“Early Vital Records of Salisbury.”