Thomas Allen

Thomas Allen (1728 - 1793), the son of Nathaniel and Dorcas Bowes Allen, was born in London, England, on 19 September 1728. He came to Boston, Mass., along with his father, mother, brother, and aunt ca. 1734 and was a shopkeeper with his father. Some time after 1749 and up to 1752, he moved to the Island of Madeira, where he made a large fortune. Upon his return, he settled in New London, Conn., and became a merchant.

He married, on 29 October 1753, Elizabeth Christophers Shackmaple (1714 - 1783), the widow of John Shackmaple, Jr. She had five children by her first husband, and one child, who lived, by Allen, Thomas Jr., Thomas Allen, Sr.

Married second, on 7 July 1784, Mary Adams Allen, the widow of his brother, Lewis Allen. They had no children. Thomas Allen died in New London on 19 November 1793.

Thomas Allen, a general storekeeper and innkeeper, who later engaged in shipping from New London, had a interest in sixteen vessels, and was heavily involved in the West Indian trade. He originated the first marine lists in New London. Many loose documents from the Allen Family, Collection owned by the American Antiquarian Society are connected to the bankruptcy of Thomas Allen in 1765. Some good letters relate to the exiled Loyalist Jolley Allen in London.

Burial:

Cedar Grove Cemetery, New London, New London County, Connecticut

Source:

AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY MANUSCRIPT COLLECTIONS - http://www.americanantiquarian.org/Findingaids/allen_family.pdf

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=61148026