Allen
Jedidiah
1646 – 1711
♦Verified
Jedidiah Allen was born in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts in 1646. There is a belief that he is the son of Ralph and Esther (Swyft/Swift) Allen. However, inconsistencies lead to questions about his parentage. Thus, more research is required.
Marriage
Jedidiah married Elizabeth Howland, daughter of Henry Howland, in Sandwich in 1688. Jedidiah and Elizabeth’s children included:
- Experience
- Ephraim
- Nathan
- Judah
- Elias
- Ester married Mr. Adams.
- Henry
- Ralph married Margaret Denn.
- Mary married Mr. Wells.
- Patience♥
- Maribah married Mr. Thorn.
- David
Move To Monmouth County
Jedediah was a farmer as he was referred to as a yoeman in his will. In addition, he was a representative from Shrewsbury to the East Jersey Assembly in 1686. Then in 1692 he was the Deputy to the Generall Assembly of New Jersey. From at least 1699 to 1701, he was a Justice of the Peace for Monmouth county in 1699. He was also a member of the First Colonial Assembly (first joint assembly of East Jersey and West Jersey) in 1703.
His Estate
When Jedediah died, his estate was valued at £1,454.7.5. It included 42 sheep and 30 head of cattle. Oddly, although Quakers didn’t believe in slavery, it listed one girl among his property, who for some reason was combined with a grinder for a value of £41. His estate also included land in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, which he divided among his sons.