Fred E. Allen
From birchyHistory
(Created page with "Fred E. Allan, given name Alfred Ernest, the youngest of three sons to Silas Allen, a journeyman saddler, and Mary Chester Allen, was born in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire on...") |
|||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
On 30 March 1851 the family was living in Chapel Street, Melton Mowbray. | On 30 March 1851 the family was living in Chapel Street, Melton Mowbray. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Melton Mowbray, 105 miles north of London, is famous for its Stilton Cheese and Pork Pies. The expression “Paint the town Red,” i.e., to engage in a riotous spree, is said to have originated in Melton Mowbray, in 1837, due to the behaviour of the Marquis of Waterford and a group of friends who ran riot in the town, painting the town’s toll-bar and several buildings red. | ||
Leicester Journal, 8 December 1854 – Melton Mowbray Petty Sessions 5 December 1854 – Leonard Posnett, of Melton, was fined 1s. and costs for assaulting a little lad named Alfred Ernest Allen. What, if anything, did a seven year-old boy do to provoke such action? | Leicester Journal, 8 December 1854 – Melton Mowbray Petty Sessions 5 December 1854 – Leonard Posnett, of Melton, was fined 1s. and costs for assaulting a little lad named Alfred Ernest Allen. What, if anything, did a seven year-old boy do to provoke such action? | ||
| Line 7: | Line 9: | ||
Three years later, on the death of his father, Richard Allen, Silas inherited the family saddlery and harness making business in nearby King Street, and when the census was taken in 1861, 13 year-old Alfred, known as Fred, was apprenticed to a watchmaker. As no-one matching his personal details could be found in the next decennial census (2 April 1871) it is assumed that Alfred Allen had emigrated to America prior to this date. | Three years later, on the death of his father, Richard Allen, Silas inherited the family saddlery and harness making business in nearby King Street, and when the census was taken in 1861, 13 year-old Alfred, known as Fred, was apprenticed to a watchmaker. As no-one matching his personal details could be found in the next decennial census (2 April 1871) it is assumed that Alfred Allen had emigrated to America prior to this date. | ||
| − | Allen enlisted in the U.S. Army in Boston, Massachusetts, under the name of ‘Fred E. Allan,’ on 3 October 1873, was described as having brown eyes, black hair, dark complexion, 5′ 8 1/8″ tall, previously employed as a watchmaker, and assigned to the 7th Cavalry. He joined Company C at Fort Rice on 21 October, participated in the Black Hills Expedition (1874) and the Sioux Campaign (1876) | + | Allen enlisted in the U.S. Army in Boston, Massachusetts, under the name of ‘Fred E. Allan,’ on [[3 October 1873]], was described as having brown eyes, black hair, dark complexion, 5′ 8 1/8″ tall, previously employed as a watchmaker, and assigned to the 7th Cavalry. He joined Company C at [[Fort Rice]] on [[21 October 1873]], participated in the [[Black Hills Expedition]] (1874) and the [[Sioux Campaign]] (1876). |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
Fred Allen was killed with Custer’s column but his body couldn't be identified. He is listed as F. E. ALLAN on the battle monument. | Fred Allen was killed with Custer’s column but his body couldn't be identified. He is listed as F. E. ALLAN on the battle monument. | ||
| Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
The above statement does not take into account pay due for the period May 1 to June 25, 1876. | The above statement does not take into account pay due for the period May 1 to June 25, 1876. | ||
| − | + | For reasons unknown, his parents fell on hard times as in 1881 they were inmates in the Leicester Union Workhouse, Sparkenhoe Street, Leicester. A fellow inmate in the men’s section was the grotesquely deformed Joseph Carey Merrick (1862-90), cruelly known as “The Elephant Man.” One might assume that the harsh conditions and social stigma were too much to bear for a previously successful businessman like Silas Allen, who committed suicide “by cutting his throat when in a state temporary insanity” on 21 April 1881. He was 63 years of age. The fate of Alfred Allen’s mother is uncertain. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | For reasons unknown, his parents fell on hard times as in 1881 they were inmates in the Leicester Union Workhouse, Sparkenhoe Street, Leicester. A fellow inmate in the men’s section was the grotesquely deformed Joseph Carey Merrick (1862-90), cruelly known as “The Elephant Man.” | + | |
| − | + | ||
| − | One might assume that the harsh conditions and social stigma were too much to bear for a previously successful businessman like Silas Allen, who committed suicide “by cutting his throat when in a state temporary insanity” on 21 April 1881. He was 63 years of age. The fate of Alfred Allen’s mother is uncertain | + | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
Note: (*) | Note: (*) | ||
