The Origins of Our Allen Family in Colonial Virginia

The Origins of Our Allen Family

By Jim Farmer / 26 November 2014 /jims‐email@hotmail.com
[An Adobe copy can be requested from the author]

Gen. I ‐ Richard Allen and Elizabeth of New Kent Co., Virginia Colony

Our ancestor is Richard Allen of New Kent County, Virginia. He is mentioned many times in the “The Vestry Book of St. Peter’s Parish” along with many members of his family. His descendants have been tracked many times. My report is about his ancestry. Being a wealthy man, he was often listed as a vestry man, and later elected as one of the two church wardens who oversaw the parish’s affairs—one of the county’s highest offices. According to the vestry book, he was reimbursed from the church coffers for caring for two children: Mary Holt, a daughter of someone’s mixed race relationship, and George, a child of an unwed mother. The parish records start too late to have included his own children’s births, but seven black children he owned were baptized by the church. About 1717, according to deeds, Richard purchased land just across the Chickahominy Swamp in neighboring Henrico County.1 Then by 1727, presumably after his death, two more black children were baptized under the ownership of Mrs. Elizabeth Allen, who was no doubt his wife, if not the mother of his children.

But let us start with the “1704 Quit Rent Rolls of Virginia,” which lists the Allen land owners in and near New Kent County. It shows how much land they held at the time. Here I have separated them out by their parish.

1704 Quit Rents of Virginia

James City County [Parish of Blisland] Richard Allen 540 acres

New Kent County [Parish of Saint Peter] Richard Allen 550 [acres]

Robt Allen 100 [acres]

New Kent County [Parish of Saint Paul] Reynold Allen2 220 [acres]

…

New Kent County [Parish of Saint Peter] Daniel Allen3 250 [acres]

Samll Allen4 150 [acres]

These men found in early New Kent County are a good starting point for our own family’s story. It’s also been beneficial to reference their descendants’ DNA information.5 Even though actual lineage for these Allens has been allusive, a number of people have been able to tie their DNA to these Allen families. The DNA records suggest the following:

1. Richard Allen, our ancestor was related to at least Reynold Allen of New Kent County.
2. The Allen family’s ancient origins are from southeastern and southwestern Europe.

Both of these tenets will be important going forward. And with this foundation, I can lay out our Allen history starting with Richard’s parents.

St. Peter’s Parish Church, New Kent County, Virginia

Gen. II ‐ William Allen and Sarah nee Holt of James City Co., Virginia Colony

Richard Allen’s parents were William Allen and Sarah nee Holt. Both William and Sarah entered patents for new land in New Kent County on the border near James City County next to each other but 26 years apart. Patenting land is how colonists acquired unclaimed land from the colonial government. Their land included land later owned by Richard Allen and processioned by him as stated in the “Vestry Book of the Parish of St. Peter.”(Processioning or walking the boundaries of one’s property was done with neighbors every four years to confirm and re‐mark the original survey lines.) In 1689 Richard is listed in two precincts or “companies” in the parish showing he had to procession two tracks of land.

The Vestry Book of St. Peterʹs Parish6

[p 20‐21]

At a vestry held at St: Peters Parish Church on ye behalf of St: Peters Parish this 4th day of 1689== The several Prsons names in Companys yt: were ordered to Profsion & Remark ye bounds of each mans Land Viz:

• Henry Strainge, Rich Allen, Henry Marttin, Jno Tande, Wm Moss, Wm Meanly)
  …
• Jno Realy, Rich: Allen, ffran: Warran, Hen: Turner)

Richard’s neighbor Henry Strange presumably held land originally patented by Benjamin Strange twenty years earlier. The Strange patent includes very good landmarks to help us recognize Richard’s own location at the time of the processioning; these are Ware Creek and Cowpen Swamp. (Two other neighbors in the other entry, Francis Warren and Henry Turner patented land, too, but their location, just across the Chickahominy Swamp in Henrico County, places the second tract of land further away.)

Colonial Virginia Land Office Patents7

[Vol I, p 516]

Benjamin Strang & Jno. Brockhurst, 450 acs. New Kent Co., 28 June 1664, p. 375, (413). E. side of the head of Ware Cr., N.W. by W. upon Cowpen Sw., S. upon a br. & trees of James Wilson & Tho. Gardner, E. & N.E. on trees of Mr. Giggins & N. on sd. Brockhurst.

The first Allen tract is even described later on as being at Ware Creek. This time it is listed in the first extant vestry book for Blisland Parish. The parish of Blisland fell in both New Kent and James City Counties. 8 In the record below, Daniel Allen, a brother or son of Richard, is being appointed the “teller of tobacco”.

The Vestry Book of Blisland Parish9

[p 10]

Mr Danl: Allen & Mr John Keen: Are hereby Appointed to Examine & Enquire of the Names & Number of the perfons: in their Precinct: which is Between Ware Creeke and Mr: Coxes Mill Creeke: (Which are Allowed by the Sd Recited Act of Afsembly: to tend Tobacco).

Blisland Parish Church, New Kent County, Virginia

Both of Richard’s parents entered their patents alongside each other near Ware Creek and Cowpen Swamp. This was also near the Rockahock path that goes from New Kent County to Williamsburg and near the New Kent/James City County border. Their location is also confirmed by a patent entered by neighbor Stephen Pettus. These are their patents:

Colonial Virginia Land Office Patents

[Vol. I, p 350]

Patent: William Allen, 250 acs. New Kent Co on N Side of James River, 18 June 1657, p. 110 (165). On E Side of Rickahock, Nly upon land at Lazerus Thomas & Wly on sd. Rickahock path which divides this land of Major Holt. Trans of 5 pers. George Mosse, Tho Smith, Wm Cox, Davey(or Darcey) Murbey (or Markey), Horatio Vere.

[in margin] Exmd. [Examined] This patent renewed and granted to the said William Allen 20th of October 1662 by Francis Mayson Governor etc Test. Fra. Hickman.

---

[Vol. II, p ‐‐]

Patent: Stephen Pettus 350 acs New Kent co upon branches of Ware Cr 8 Jan 1667 beg at John Basbyeʹs land Ashwellʹs patch upon land of William Allen. 250 acs of Lazarus Thomas.

‐‐‐

[Vol. II, p ‐‐]

Patent: Sarah Allen 700 acs. New Kent Co. S side of York River & SE side of Ware Creek 20 Sep 1683 p 322. Give and grant to Jane Sarah Allen at Cowpen Swamp, adj Adam Symms (Simms) by Arrow Reed Sw to Thomas Porthmouth (Parchmoth) & John Corker ect. 200 acs granted to Col. Thomas Ballard 14 Sep 1661 & assigned to John Boatwright 21 Oct 1670 and 500 acs for the trans. of 10 pers. Richard Tirrel, Thomas Elsford, Israel Hardwin[man], Dorthy Gilson, Tho Knight, Fra Cole, Robert Tireel 4 times.

William’s patent was entered in 1657 for 250 acres in New Kent County. Sarah’s patent was entered in 1683—most likely as a widow—and was for 700 acres. It was also in New Kent. Their patents totaled together 950 acres. As noted in 1704, according to the “1704 Quit Rent Rolls” Richard held property in both New Kent and James City Counties totaling over 1000 acres. He himself never patented land, so he or his parents must have purchased and sold a lot of additional land, but the records that would have shown this both in New Kent and James City Counties are lost.

Land Patent of William Allen entered 1657

Robert Holt is considered to be Sarah’s father for many reasons. One reason is that Robert Holt held land patented exactly where William and Sarah acquired their own patents later on, with some in New Kent but some also in James City. In William Allen’s 1657 patent, it describes William’s land as being west of the Rockahock Path “which divides this land from Major [Robert] Holt.” This no doubt allowed William and Sarah to live close to her father after their marriage. As early as 1651 Holt held patents for over 2000 acres.10 So Sarah’s patent in fact may have been a re‐patent of some of Robert Holt’s earlier patents. (Any unimproved land often had to be re‐patented.) The date of Sarah’s patent corresponds to the expected death date of Robert Holt when she would have inherited property.

Land Patent of Sarah Allen entered 1683

Robert Holt had various titles attached to his name. He was called a merchant in 1640, then Captain and Major, until in 1677 when he was referred to as Colonel Holt. Twice Robert Holt is listed as Burgess for

James City County, once in 1667 and again in 1673. Other times he acted as the head of different government committees.11

As a young man and shortly before marrying Robert’s daughter Sarah, William Allen arrived in Virginia from England. It may have been his first time coming to the colony or a return trip. Many Virginia colonists would go to England as often as they could afford to travel. Young adults did so before starting a family of their own. Upon arrival in the colonies all passengers—whether a new arrival or a returning one—received a headright redeemable for 50 acres of land. Most passengers negotiated with someone in Virginia to buy their headright in order to cover the cost of their passage. William no doubt did this. He sold his headright to Robert Holt. Holt was an obvious choice to purchase William’s headright. Besides being William’s future father‐in‐law, Holt was a longtime associate of William’s father, if not his employer.

Colonial Virginia Land Office Patents

[Vol I, p 215]

Patent: Robert Holt, 470 acs. James City Co. 20 Jan 1651. Lying betwixt the two westernmost branches of Jones Cr. on the E side of Chicohominy Riv. beg at the division of sd. branch up the mayne branch NE by E along Ricahoc path. Trans. of 10 pers: Alexander Budle, Richard Godson, Wm. Allen, John Neane (or Weave), John Burgis, John Hambleton (or Hampleton), Daniel Clarke, Geo. Woolaston, Gabriel Terry, Anne Danne, Hugh Michalla, Richard Smith, Hen. Bartler, Rob.

Rowlinson. ʺLand due for fourʺ.

About the same time, William’s brother Valentine Allen also came for the first time or returned to Virginia from England. When he arrived in the colony he too sold his headright. If William and Valentine came to Virginia at the same time and on the same ship their arrival date would have been before the date Valentine’s headright which was used in May 1650.

Colonial Virginia Land Office Patents

[Vol I, p 193]

Patent: John Catlett & Ralph Rousey [Rowzee], 400 acs. lyeing on the freshes upon S. side of Rappa. Riv., beg. at a swamp which divides it from land of Geo. Eaton. 23 May 1650, p. 224. Trans, of 8 pers: Ralph Rousey, John Catlett, Valentine Allen, Nicholas Catlett, Peter Neale.

Seven years later William and Valentine entered their own patents. They did this at the same time. This suggests two things: it may have been the time of death for their father and/or it marks the time when the two of them married. William’s patent, as shown above was entered in June of 1657. Valentine’s patent was entered in September of the same year. Unlike William, however, Valentine chose to go north to [old] Rappahannock County. But we know Valentine must have spent some time in James City County. Thomas Lucas, Jr., who made the patent with Valentine, was the son of a James City County merchant, Thomas, Lucas Sr.

Colonial Virginia Land Office Patents

[Vol I, p 362]

Patent: Thomas Lucas, Jr. & Valentine Allen, 640 acs. on the S. side of Rappa. Riv., 28 Sept. 1657,

1. 161, (237). Beg. about 2 mi. above Nanzmum Towne. Trans, of 13 pers: Joane Hopkins, Elizabeth Hopkins*
2. 
   

3. 
   
4. 1662 Land Patent of Valentine Allen 
   
   
   Tracing Valentine Allen’s descendants in Rappahannock shows he had no surviving male line that could later be used in comparing his DNA to William’s. Samuel Allen was identified as Valentine’s son in the will of Thomas Page.12 But Samuel died childless, leaving his sisters, Mary Brown and Christian Dyson, as his only heirs.
   
   
   Essex County Deed & Will Book13
   
   
   [Page 108‐109]
   At a court held 10th of June 1693
   Wm Browne and Mary his Wife, Sister and Coheir to Samll. Allen, late of Rappa. County deced, complained against Richard Dyson … the said Dyson being possest wth: the said land as Marrying Christian, younger Sister to the said Allen, ye Cmplts. demanded the possession of the one halfe thereof of ye sd Dyson (as of right it doth belong to them) …
   
   
   William and Valentine also must have had a younger brother Robert Allen. His headright is also found in the records suggesting he came or returned to Virginia, although not until a few years after William and Valentine. The man who received Robert Allen’s headright, Francis Burnell, was a close neighbor of Robert Holt owning extensive property in New Kent County. Burnell also received a headright for an Elizabeth Holt. Burnell’s patent entries below show him re‐patenting land by re‐using the same headrights. This was not uncommon.
   
   
   Colonial Virginia Land Office Patents
   
   
   [Vol I, p 349]
   Patent: Francis Burnell, Gent., 312 acs. on S. W. side of Yorke Riv., 14 Oct. 1657, p. 109, (163). Behind land of Mr. Vaulx. Granted unto Wm. Cox, 23 Apr. 1653 & by him deserted. Now due for trans, of 7 pers: Margarett Boaton, Jno. Needham, Tho. Coppinge, Robert Craft, Rob. Allen, Jno. Clerke, Eliz. Railinge.
   ---
   Patent: Francis Burnell, 500 acs. New Kent Co., 28 Oct. 1657, p. 110, (164). Adj. his own land. Trans, of 10 pers:
   Willmott Allinge, Elizabeth Holt, Rich. Needham, Kath. Bridge, Mary Holmsly, Mary Blunder, Mary Maues (?), Phillip Russell, Jno. Hoeman.
   [Vol I, p 390]
   Patent: Mr. Francis Burnell, 900 acs. New Kent Co., 15 Aug. 1659, p. 272, (373). Beg. at Southermost cor. of his former devdt., S.E. to land sold to John Johnson, to path that goes to old Warrany, to Mr. Hurds upermost line of trees, to land of Mr. Thomas Hampton &c. Trans, of 18 pers: Marg. Boaten, Robert Crust, Jno. Needham, Robert Allen, Tho. Copinn, Eliz. Baileinge, Jno. Darken, Robert Miller, James Tanner, Rich. Smith, 2 Negroes, James Johnson, Robert Jinkins, Wm. Hazard, Mary Barnes, Geo. West, Jno. Clarkey.
   
   
   Because of a DNA connection between some of Richard Allen’s and Reynolds Allen’s descendants coming from New Kent County, Robert is thought to be Reynolds’s father. This works well with a record showing the Reynolds family arriving in New Kent just after Robert returned from England. In the Reynolds family there were a number of females listed as headrights for Thomas Ballard14, so it is not clear which Reynolds daughter Robert married, but having a son named Reynolds clearly suggests he married one of them.
   
   
   Colonial Virginia Land Office Patents
   
   
   [Vol I, p 381‐382]
   Patent: Mr. Thomas Ballard, 1300 acs New Kent 6 Oct 1658. p 232 (330). Upon N side of Mattapany Riv & branches of Whorecock Swamp. Trans of 26 pers. Wm Renolls, Hannah Reynolds, Abygoll Reynolds, Jno. Reynolds, Cuthbert Jackson, James Smith, Hannah Reynolls, Deborah Reynolls,...
   
   
   Besides relying on the use of DNA, the other important connection between these brothers is the Christian name Valentine. Not only do we find it later in Goochland County, Virginia, but it is found earlier in England as well. It is the name Valentine that allows us to track the family beyond what we can do with DNA.
   
   1751 Jefferson-Fry map. Ware Creek today is the upper border of James City Co and New Kent Co.
   Gen. III ‐ William Allen and Joan nee Allen of Grendon Underwood Par., Buckinghamshire, Eng.
   
   The father of William, Valentine and Robert Allen was named William Allen. He was a resident of James City County as early as 1639. Even at that time, he was associated with Robert Holt. Since this older William Allen did not enter any patents of his own, it is assumed he did not farm or need to grow crops for a living and therefore worked for Robert Holt, the merchant, in some capacity. He often crossed the ocean going from England to Virginia. One of William’s headrights coming from his own travels abroad can be found within Holt’s earliest patent in Virginia.
   
   
   Colonial Virginia Land Office Patents
   
   
   [Vol I, p 103]
   Patent: Robert Holt & Richard Bell, 500 acs. James Citty Co., in Chickahominy Riv. 2 Mar 1638[/39], p. 624
   Towards the head of Checqueroes Cr & W. upon land of Mr. John Felgate 50 acs. due to each for their own adv. & 400 acs for trans of 8 pers. John Newhowse, Wm. Allin, Stephen Beane, Antho. Luco, Samuell Lucas, Robert Phillipson, Tho. Keyes, William Willeford. Note: Renewed 23 July 1640 in the name of Robert Holt.
   
           Land Patent of Robert Holt and Richard Bell entered 1638 listing William Allen’s headright.                       
   The actual date for this older William Allen first arriving in colonial Virginia was much earlier than 1638. He first arrived in 1623. The Virginia colony had just sustained a major Indian massacre on March 22nd, 1621/22. A year later, William Allen debarked from the ship Southampton at Elizabeth City County. A document entitled “A List of Names of the Living in Virginia February the 16th, 1623” [s/b 1624] included his name along with about 85 others residing in Elizabeth City County. History records that many of the colonists had fled there after the Indian attack only to die from diseases being brought into America by recent arrivals. Most of the survivors and new arrivals were all huddled together in Elizabeth City waiting to return to England. But by 1625 William was listed working south of the James River on the plantation owned by Abraham Piercy, the Cape Merchant of the London Company. (Originally—and again today—the plantation was called Flowerdew Hundred but when William was there it was known as Piercy’s Hundred.) William Allen’s name is found in the plantation’s muster, listing him at age 22, a “servant” or employee to Abraham Piercy.15
   
   
   
     1622 Indian Massacre along the James River, woodcut by Matthäus Merian
   Abraham Piercy died by 1628, so William’s employment under Piercy must have ended soon after. After that William Allen would come and go between Virginia and England a few more times, each time assigning his headright to someone else. In one patent he is listed as a headright along with Thomas Rolfe, the son of Pocahontas. It is not sure if they arrived on the same ship together but they most likely did. After Pocahontas’ death in England, her husband John Rolfe had left behind their baby boy, recently christened with the name Thomas, with family in England. Once grown he could sail back to Virginia by himself. Once in Virginia Thomas Rolfe married Jane the daughter of Captain William Peirce. Peirce was the person who would redeemThomas Rolfe’s and William Allen’s headrights 18 years later. The land Peirce patented using William Allen’s headright would be south of the James not far from Abraham Piercy’s plantation. Important to notice, also included as a headright was “Alice” Lawson.
   
   
   Colonial Virginia Land Office Patents
   
   
   [Vol I, p 29]
   Patent: Capt. William Peirce, Esqr.,one of the Councell of State, 2000 acs. in Lawnes Cr., 22 June 1635, p. 255.Sly. upon land in the tenure of Alice Delke, widdowe, Nly. towards land of William Spencer, Ely. upon the Cr. & Wly. into the woods, towards Chippoakes Cr. Trans, of 40 pers…Tho. Rolfe,…Wm. Allin,…Alice Lawson…
   
   
   Alice Lawson’s first name was actually Alce, a name often mis‐translated as Alice in the records. She and her husband Christopher Lawson were also listed in the Jamestown Muster in 1625 living not far from William Allen. Her name in the muster was correctly spelled Alce. Later on, in 1737, her husband Christopher Lawson patented land with Richard Bell who was the same man who patented land with Robert Holt. (See the Holt‐Bell patent above.) Lawson later patented his own land using the same headrights he and Bell had already used. (Notice, too, in both patents a William Reynolds is one of the headrights. As there are other William Reynoldses in the records, he may or may not be the man who brought his family to America in 1658.)
   
   
   Colonial Virginia Land Office Patents
   
   
   [Vol I, p 58]
   Patent: Richard Bell & Christopher Lawson, 500 acs. James Citty Co., 23 May 1637, p. 428. Beg. at a little Indian field over against land of John Dansey, N. E., into the woods S. W. 200 acs. purchased by sd. Bell of Alexander Stonner & 50 acs. purchased by him of Thomas Taylor, to whom it was due for his per. adv.; 250 acs. due sd. Lawson for trans, of 5 pers: Thomas Taylor, Willi. Reynolds, Willi. Coyte, Roger Andrewes, Anthony , Ann Drawater.
   ‐‐‐
   [Vol I, p 89]
   Patent: Christopher Lawson, 400 acs. James Citty Co., 1 May 1638, p. 564. At the head of Rolphes Cr., beg. E. upon a reedy Sw. & into the woods W. Trans, of 8 pers: William Reynolds, William Coyt, Roger Aderson, Nicholas Williams, Anthony a boy, Thomas Wood, Georg Griffin, Thomas Wombwell (first written Rombwell).
   
   
   The interconnection between Lawson, Bell, and Holt suggests that, after Lawson died, Robert Holt married Lawson’s widow Alce. Shortly after this date, Robert and Alce returned to England, where they had six children in London. Their daughter Sarah apparently was baptized in a different church than the others. She was christened at St. Michael’s in Bassishaw Ward. The remaining 5 children were all baptized at St. Giles Church16 in neighboring Cripplegate Ward.
   English Christening Records [from the IGI]17
   
   
   [FHL microfilm 845260. Batch number P00147‐1] Saint Michael Bassishaw, London, England Father: Robert Holt
   Sarah Holt born 21 Oct 1639; christened 8 Nov 1639
   
   
   [FHL microfilm 380200. Batch number C02243‐5] Saint Giles, Cripplegate, London
   Father: Robert Holt / Holte / Hoult Isabell Holte – christened 20 Mar 1641/1642 Rebecca Holt – christened 30 Jun 1644
   Robert Hoult – christened 28 Jul 1644; death 8 May 1646 Aron Holt – christened 20 Sep 1646; death 30 Oct 1646 Moyses Holt – christened 30 Sep 1646
   
   
   By 1650 Robert and Alce Holt returned to Virginia. “Ailce Holt” was listed among Robert Holt’s headrights in a patent.18 Those children that came with them were not old enough to receive headrights.
   
   St Giles’ Church Tower, Cripplegate, London by J. W. Archer
   
   William Allen’s own travels back and forth to England must have included visits to his family in the Aylesbury Vale in Buckinghamshire. On one of his trips back home he married his wife Joan Allen. He would have been about 24 years old. Their marriage was solemnized at the ancient church of St.
   Leonard’s, in Grendon Underwood Parish in the vale in Buckinghamshire. (It's important to note that St. Leonard was a Frank saint from the 6th century.)
   
   
   English Marriage Records [from the IGI]
   
   
   [FHL microfilm 919229. Batch number M07375‐1.]
   William Allen Spouse: Joan Allen
   
   Marriage: 30 September 1627 Grendon Underwood, Buckingham, England
   
   
   Joan’s last name was Allen, just like William’s, so they may have been cousins. Many Allens are found in the parish records of Grendon Underwood. The names of Thomas, Andrew and Gabriel are all found there and of the right age to be a father to Joan. An older couple named Andrew Allen and Elizabeth Barnes, found in the parish records, could be Joan’s grandparents. Also found in Grendon Underwood parish are many Holts, but no Robert Holt is listed among them.
   
   
   
   Buckinghamshire, England.
   Gen. IV ‐ Valentine Allen and Agnes nee Clark of Edgcott Par., Buckinghamshire, Eng.
   
   William Allen and wife Joan Allen most likely grew up as neighbors in the Aylesbury Vale. The parish of Grendon Underwood, where they married, is next to the parish of Edgcott where William’s father Valentine Allen married William’s mother Agnes Clarke. Two dates are found in the parish records for the marriage of Valentine Allen to Agnes Clarke. Either date could be correct knowing William’s age was 22 in 1625 according to the Jamestown Muster of 1625. William’s mother Agnes, however, must have died before 1613. This is the date Valentine Allen remarried in nearby Quainton Parish to Margaret Taylor.
   Valentine and Margaret named their own son William, who would have been William Allen’s younger half‐brother. This was a normal custom at the time for naming children. All of these records are shown here:
   
   
   English Marriage Records [from the IGI
   [FHL microfilm 990242. Batch number M01447‐1] Valentyne Alen
   Spouse: Agnes Clarke
   Marriage: 28 November 1599 Edgcott, Buckingham, England
   ‐
   [FHL microfilm 990242. Batch number M01447‐1] Valentine Alen
   Spouse: Agnes Clark
   Marriage: 13 November 1603 Edgcott, Buckingham, England
   ‐
   [FHL microfilm 1042397. Batch number M14853‐1] Valeentyn Allen
   Spouse: Margarett Taylor
   Marriage: 26 August 1613 Quainton, Buckingham, England
   
   
   English Christening Records [from the IGI
   [FHL microfilm 919229. Batch number C07375‐1] Father: Valentine Allen
   Child: William Allen
   Baptism: 16 Mar 1616 Grendon Underwood, Buckingham, England
   
   
   Another record that helps support the relationship between William Allen of Virginia, Joan Allen of Grendon Underwood, and Valentine Allen of Edgcott is the will of a young Andrew Allen written in 1633. In the will Andrew was addressed as “Husbandman” of Grendon Underwood, Buckinghamshire. In his will he identified his wife Mary and his only child, a daughter Elizabeth. He referred to his brother Gabriel Allen by name. But most significantly, as a witness to his will, there also was Valentine Allen.
   
   
   Wills ‐ Great Britain National Archives19
   
   
   [ PROB 11/164/216]
   Will Title: Will of Andrew Allen, Husbandman of Grendon Underwood, Buckinghamshire Date: 17 August 1633
   Daughter: Elizabeth Allen Wife: Mary Allen Brother: Gabriel Allen
   Witnesses: Thomas Howe, Valentine Allen (his mark)
   
   St. Leonard’s Church, Grendon Underwood Parish, Buckinghamshire
   
   
   Gen. V… ‐ Allens of Aylesbury Vale
   
   
   
   The Allen family has been in the Aylesbury Vale for a long time. Now officially called the Aylesbury District, the vale includes all three parishes of Grendon Underwood, Edgcott, and Quainton where Valentine Allen’s records have been found. An early muster for Grendon Underwood, dated 1522, lists numerous Allens. More Allens were listed there than in any other parish in Buckinghamshire.20
   
   
   
   
   The Certificate of Musters for Buckinghamshire in 152221
   
   
   Parish of Grendon Underwood John Alyn
   Rob. Allyn Thos. Alyn Henry Allyn
   
   
   Even two hundred years earlier in 1332 the Allen surname can still be found in Buckinghamshire, though no listing is given specifically for Grendon Underwood or Edgcott. The spelling of the name varied: Aleyn, Alleyn, Aleinie, Allen, Allone, Allonie. But each person was clearly identified with the surname Allen in one form of spelling or another. Many other individuals listed in the rolls had yet to take surnames, so the Allens were unique in that way.22
   
   
   Looking even further back in time to the year 1270, the surname Allen can still be found in the Aylesbury records. Charters for land ownership include the name of John, son of William Aleyn, as a witness relating to land at Hartwell, a place name found just outside the town of Aylesbury. Even in 1270 the family name is listed. But it is important to note that the name was give without any family name affixes. No fitz or ap is shown to signify “son of.” The entry is written in Latin, not in English, but clearly Aleyn is William’s surname.
   
   
   Early Buckinghamshire Charters23
   
   
   [Dated] 1270
   [Witnesses to a land transaction at Hartwell, Aylesbury]
   Hiis testibus domino Giliberto de Bracv Ricardo le Gode Ricardo de Templo Iohanne filio Willelmi Aleyn Iohanne de Bisschopestone. Ricardo filio Martini Giliberto de Mora et aliis.
   [Translation]
   By these witnesses Master Gilbert of Bracy, Richard the Good, Richard of Temple, John son of William Aleyn, John of Bishopstone, Richard son of Martin Gilbert of Mora, and others.
   
   
   A FitzAlan Connection?
   
   
   
   In many Allen genealogies the origin of the name Allen in England is said to be derived from FitzAlan and often specifically sited to be from Alan fitz Flaad, the Norman who came to England in 1100 AD. His sons did take the name FitzAlan and maintained the name as FitzAlan for centuries afterwards. In the 13th century this FitzAlan family held estates very near Aylesbury Vale at Hugenden, (now in neighboring Wycombe District, Buckinghamshire).
   
   
   
   
   
   Worthies of Buckinghamshire and Men of Note of that County24
   
   
   [p. 152]
   Fitz‐Alan, John—The fitz‐Alan family derives its descent from Alan Fitz‐Flaald [sic], who Henry made Sheriff of Gloucester. John Fitz‐Alan was the first of the family who held the Manor of Tilbury, in Hugenden. He was succeeded by his son, John Fitz‐Alan, in 1248; this John fought by the side of Henry III at Lewes, in 1264, and was taken prisoner by the victorious barons, he died in 1267, leaving a son, John Fitz‐Alan, who died in 1272.
5. 
   

This close physical association between the Fitz‐Alans of Hugenden and the Aleyns of nearby Aylesbury in the 12th and 13th centuries does suggest a connection. And DNA does not preclude a Norman origin for the Aleyn family. All of this could suggest an origin tied somehow to Alan Fitz Flaad. However, the loss of the affixed “fitz” so early in our own Allen family also suggests the relationship was not a direct paternal lineage from Alan Fitz‐Flaad. There was a strong and early association to the name Allen. So, whether related by blood or by feudal bond between lord and tenant, they could have shared a common history before coming to England and even there in the Vale of Aylesbury. No doubt William Aleyn of Aylesbury living near John FitzAlan of Hugenden would have known and understood their connection if they had one. For us, this is as close as we can get for now.

Early FitzAllan Coat of Arms

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

End notes to "The Origins of Our Allen Family"

1 Henrico County, Virginia, Deeds and Wills, 1714‐1717, Iberian Press, pp. 167, 168

2 Reynold Allen is found in the “The Vestry Book of St. Paul’s Parish, Hanover County, Virginia 1706‐ 1786” starting in 1710.

3 Daniel Allen is not found in any parish registry for this time period. In 1724, twenty years later Daniel is

found in the Blisland Parish records. It is not known if Daniel is a brother or son of Richard.

4 Samuel Allen listed in the 1704 Quit Rents for New Kent County is not the son of Valentine Allen as is often stated. That will be better shown later on. He is found in St. Peter’s vestry book in 1716 where he baptized his daughter Judith.

5 See the “Allen Surname Project” at Family Tree DNA, “I Subgroup a”; also see “The Allen Patrilineage

Project” hosted at www.johnbrobb.com/JBR‐ALLEN.htm.

6 The Vestry Book and Register of St. Peterʹs Parish New Kent and James City Counties, Virginia 1684‐ 1786. Richmond, VA, USA: Library Board, 1937.

7 Cavaliers and Pioneers, Nell Marion Nugent, Volumes I‐IV, Richmond VA, 1934

8 From St. Peters Vestry Book: “At a Concil held at James City, Octo ye 18th, 1689. Presʹt Nath. Bacon, Esq., Presʹt Council: Mr. Will. Phillips & Mr. Jno. Roper having been summoned Evidences in ye difference between Blissland paʹsh & St. Peterʹs pʹsh in New Kent County & attending in James City each of them three days, it is ordered yʹt they be paid for ye same by ye sʹd Parishes in two days coming to James City, date returning home according to Law with costs.”

9 Vestry Book of Blisland (Blissland) Parish New Kent and James City Counties, Virginia, 1721‐1786, C. G.

Chamberlayne, The Library Board, Richmond, 1935

10 Cavaliers and Pioneers, Patent Book 1-Part II, Volume 1, p 123 and 215.

11 ʹAmerica and West Indies: March 1677, 16‐31ʹ, Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, Volume 10: 1677‐1680 (1896), pp. 36‐54.

12 Old Rappahannock County, Wills & Deeds, 1665‐1677, Reel 10, p 195‐196.

13 93‐1694 Essex Co VA Deed & Will Book; Antient Press.

14 See Sarah Allen’s patent above that included land owned by Col. Thomas Ballard.

15 See “The Jamestown Muster, 1624/25”.

16 St. Giles Church without Cripplegate today is one of the few medieval churches remaining, having survived the Great Fire of London in 1666.

17 IGI = International Genealogical Index, England Marriages, 1538–1973,ʺ index, FamilySearch,

familysearch.org

18 See Holt’s 1650 patent , Cavaliers and Pioneers , Vol I., p 215.

19 National Archives of Great Britain, Prerogative Court of Canterbury: Will Registers.

20 See http://www.bucksrecsoc.org.uk/publications.html for online copies of the following records.

21 Buckinghamshire Records Organization, Volume 17. “The Certificate of Musters for Buckinghamshire in 1522”

22 Buckinghamshire Records Organization, Volume 14. “Early Taxation Returns. Taxation of Personal

Property in 1332 and Later”

23 Buckinghamshire Records Organization, Volume 3. “Early Buckinghamshire Charters,” edited with an introduction by G.H. Fowler and J.G. Jenkins 81+vi pp (1941)

24 Worthies of Buckinghamshire and Men of Note of that County, Robert Gibbs, F.S.A., Aylesbury, 1886,

p. 152.