Allen, H. (Heman), 1777-1844

Heman Allen was born June 14, 1777, in Ashfield (now Deerfield), MA, the third of eight children of Enoch and Mercy (Belding) Allen. After receiving a classical course of study Allen read law with Elnathan Keyes of Burlington and Hon. Judge Parker of St. Albans before he took up his own practice in Milton in 1803. In December of 1804 Allen married Sarah, daughter of Dr. John Prentiss of St. Albans, who bore him eight children.

A highly respected lawyer, Allen was elected to represent Milton to the Vermont legislature eleven times from 1810-1826. Allen moved to Burlington in 1828 and in 1831 was elected to the U.S. House where he served in the 22nd-25th (1831-1839) Congresses. He was a director of the Lake Champlain Steamboat Company and was outspoken on many current issues such as the abolition of slavery and the Neutrality Act of 1837. Heman Allen died in Burlington, VT on December 11, 1844.