Allen Family in Stafford and Northumberland, Va.

I think Bob Allen and I may have done some breakthrough research on the Allen family in Virginia.The following constitutes our work. It could be wrong-- there is not a lot of definitive proof that the Allen family from Stafford, VA is the same found in Northumberland, Va.

Here's the work:

John Allen III and William Allen, Stafford Co., Virginia

The following are the first records found for the Allen family in Stafford Co. Virginia.They mention two brothers, John and William Allen, buying land.It has long been the family tradition thatGeorge Allen was John and William’s father, and that George came to America and the Stafford area in 1650 on a ship from England with William Waller.No doubt that the Waller's and Allen's intermarry extensively in Stafford, but no records have been found that verify George Allen actually exists in this context.
Indeed a George Allen and William Waller are found together (along with 100 other people) on a head-right patent document of Moore Fauntleroy, dated 1650.But nothing connects the two men on the head-right document with the Allen and Waller families in Stafford.And nothing suggests the head-right document should be viewed as a single ship’s passenger list.

The first record of the Allen's in Stafford is in 1696.John and William Allen, brothers, purchased 250 acres of land jointly from Augustine Kneaton. The deed for this purchase hasn't been found, but two references to it have:

(1) Deed Book -Z pg. 400, ---12th April 1708, William Allen of Stafford County and Colony of Virginia sells to Thomas Byram----------Kneaton sued for a grant of the same and was granted the patent within mentioned and sold to John and William Allen on 3 Dec 1696, which they, the said John and William Allen divided between them------.
       
?
(2) STAFFORD COUNTY VA DEED & WILL BOOK 1699 - 1709; THE ANTIENT PRESS
pp. 71-72 A writ of division made between JOHN ALLEN & WILLIAM ALLEN by GEORGE MASON JUNR. and AUGUSTINE KNEATON beginning at a corner pine tree on the S:E: side of the road running NE to a small marked pine on the htow of a hill then NE to a white oak on the end of a point thence the same course to a white oak in a bottom thence NW to a poplar upon the N: side the Rocky Run thence N:W: & by N: to a red oak in a Bottom on the West side of a small branch thence N:W: 1/2 westerly to a pine on the brow of a ridge which parts the Rocky Run & Austins Run being a corner tree thence westerly along same ridge to a red oak & by a great rock .. Surveyed and divided for above John and William Allen by us George Mason Junr. and Augustine Kneaton.
This Bill bindeth me William Allen of Stafford County Cordwainer to pay John Allen Carpenter of same county the neat quantity of 50,000 pounds of merchantable Tobo, in cask convenient in the aforesaid county on all demands .. 15th February 1700.
Thomas Norman, Wm. Allen
Lewis Renoe
This Bill bindeth me John Allen Carpenter in Stafford County to pay unto William Allen Cordwainer of aforesaid county the neat quantity of 50,000 pounds of merchantable Tobo. in cask convenient in aforesaid county on all demands .. Febr. 25th 1700.
Teste: Thomas Norman, John Allen
Lewis Renoe
Whereas we Jno. Allen & William Allen Brothers both of Stafford County have bought a certain tract of land of Mr. AUGUSTINE KNEATON and have divided the land by the hand of Mr. George Mason Junr. to our absolute contents and a line of division accordingly done The Condition of this obligation is such that if we forever shall observe this annexed line of right. Division & never pass over either to injure prejudice or damnify the other that then this Obligation to be void & of no effect but if the said John Allen or William Allen or either of us or any of is by their order shall offer to injure or Damnify the other in any degree or to infringe our title granted to us by his Majesty or Proprietors Patten granted to us that then this obligation to stand in full force against. us .. Witnesseth this Febry. 25th 1700.
Presence Thos. Norman, Jno. Allen
Lewis Renee Wm. Allen

March 12, 1700. The above said John Allen and William Allen came into Court in their proper person and acknowledged the right of division made between them before expressed one to each other as also the said Bills with the condition annexed to them and then recorded.

For a long time, Allen research was stalled at this point, but a recent discovery has been made that leads from Stafford, VA to Northumberland, VA.And it came from the above documents.An internet search of Augustine Kneaton, the man who sells John and William the land in Stafford, led to the discovery of the following reference:
On 17 November 1675, John Allen, Augustine Kneaton and William Hobson of Northumberland County agreed to build a sloop of twenty-four feet by the keel for Andrew Pettigrew and deliver it to his plantation, the sloop to be able "to floor [lay flat] nine hogsheads complete.

       This reference comes from the book Domestic Life in Virginia in the Seventeenth Century, by Annie Lash Jester (http://www.hotfreebooks.com/book/Domestic-Life-in-Virginia-in-the-Seventeenth-Century-Jamestown-350th-Anniversary-Historical-Booklet-Number-17-Annie-Lash-Jester.html).
John Allen appears in several Stafford Co. documents as a carpenter, so it would be fitting for him to be involved in ship-building.But speculation has it that John was born around 1675, making it impossible for him to be the John Allen building a ship in 1675.It is possible, however, that John of Stafford is a relative, maybe a son, of John in Northumberland building a ship,thus making John of Stafford possibly John Allen Jr—or as will be shown later, possibly John Allen III.No records have been found that document John of Stafford’s age, so it could also be possible that he is the same man found in Northumberland building a ship with Augustine Kneaton.The speculation on his age is based on his sons being born around 1700.
       
It should be noted, here, that records have been found in Northumberland regarding this ship-building interaction.Andrew Pettigrew sues Augustine Kneaton and William Hobson for non-delivery of the ship.No mention of John Allen is made in the document, but it does give credence to the timing of Jester’s reference in her book.It also definitively locates Kneaton and William Hobson in Northumberland in 1675, and evidence to come will show that an Allen family lived in close proximity to the Hobson family in Northumberland.The assumption for now is that Jester’s source for the reference is the original contract document between Pettigrew and the ship-builders, and that John Allen’s name is indeed on that document.There is no reason at present to doubt Jester’s credibility.

       The reference by Annie Lash Jester led to research of the Allen family in Northumberland, VA. The research continues, and many things remain unclear, but it is a clear possibility that the Allen family of Stafford originated in Northumberland, VA.The rest of this document will further demonstrate the relationship between the Stafford and Northumberland Allen's, and it will begin to describe the new Allen family members discovered in Northumberland.

       Several other items on these early deeds point to roots in Northumberland for the Stafford Allen family, but first William Allen needs to be discussed a bit.As soon as research began in Northumberland, a marriage was discovered between a William Allen and Margaret Sharpe in Northumberland.It has long been known through deeds that William of Stafford had a wife named Margaret, but her maiden name was a point of contention.It has been claimed by various researchers, without any supporting evidence, to be Lunsford, or Withers, or Waggoner, but the new research points to Margaret Sharpe in Northumberland.Here are the records in question:

1687-1699 Order Book Part 2 - Northumberland Co Va; Hamrick: Pg 759
Northumberland County Court March 17, 1697
Upon the Petition of WILLIAM ALLEN who married MARGARET the daughter of JOHN SHARPE deceased, a Commission of Administration with the Will Annexed is granted him on the Estate of the said deceased, he giving Caution for his due administration on the said Estate according to Law, the said Will being proved by the oaths of CHARLES and MARY BETTS Witnesses thereto, And ordered the same be recorded, And that the said WILLIAM and MARGARET exhibit an inventory of the said Estate to the next Court upon oath.
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1687-1699 Order Book Part 2 - Northumberland Co Va; Hamrick: Pg 809
Northumberland County Court February 18, 1698
An attachment is awarded ELIZABETH SHARPE widow and Relict of JOHN SHARPE deceased against WILLIAM ALLEN Administrator of the said deceased for three thousand three hundred thirty three pounds of Tobacco returnable to the next Court.

       The timing of this William becoming administrator of John Sharpe’s estate coincides with the first records of William Allen in Stafford, leading to speculation that William used the resources made available to him through John Sharpe’s death to begin a very successful land speculation career in the Stafford area.These records alone don’t demonstrate that William Allen/Margaret Sharpe are the same William Allen/Margaret in Stafford, but no records have been found to suggest that William Allen and Margaret Sharpe remain in Northumberland.

       Two of the men who appear on the above records with John and William Allen, Thomas Byram and Augustine Kneaton, can be demonstrated through records to reside in Northumberland before they show up on documents with John and William in Stafford.As previously discussed, Kneaton was sued by Andrew Pettigrew in Northumberland in 1675, and he seems to have had much legal trouble there, for numerous legal records exist pertaining to him.He was a blacksmith.A record exists for Thomas Byram petitioning the court in Northumberland regarding an estate matter in 1694.And much evidence demonstrates that his father, Abraham Byram, lived in Northumberland.

       Many other connections of the Allen family in Stafford back to Northumberland are also developing.For example, William Allen sells 100 acres of land in Stafford to a John Hopper of Northumberland.John Hopper appears on records in Northumberland with Edward Saunders/Sanders, who, in turn, witnesses the will of Roger Walters together with a John Allen in Northumberland in 1670.

The New Allen’s in Northumberland
(John Sr.)

       The next significant record found in Northumberland details a land sale of a John Allen in 1667.Here’s the record:

2-53:John Allen of Great Wiccocomico, Northumberland Co., Tanner, in 1667 sold to John Bennall of same Co. 100 A.Bennall died in 1677 and left land to his wife, Isabel, who m. Thomas Waterman of same Co.Waterman sold to Thomas Smith Taylor of same Co. who died without heir.Christopher Newton obtained Grant adj. Captain William Nutt.6 Nov. 1694.

       This transaction is important for several reasons.First, it was a bit of a Eureka moment when it was found because it located an Allen in Northumberland with land in 1667, and because John Allen’s occupation is listed as a Tanner (or leatherworker).His occupation seems to possibly connect him with Willam Allen of Stafford, who was (at least before his land speculation began) a Cordwainer, or shoemaker.And shoemaking generally entailed highly skilled work with leather.It’s not too difficult to imagine this John is William’s father—or more likely, his grandfather—and taught him how to work with leather and become a Cordwainer.

       The second reason it is important relates to James Allen of Northumberland, who we will discuss in detail later.But the land in this deed is located adjacent to William Nutt, and it will be demonstrated that William Nutt is a neighbor of James Allen, thus connecting indirectly John Allen and James Allen.It should be noted quickly here that at this point there seems to be only one significant Allen family in Northumberland at this time.The research hasn’t been confused by a bunch of different families.Indeed, the Allen’s of Northumberland seem to be unclaimed (until now) by any previous genealogical researchers.That’s good because it makes it more likely the present research is on the right track (meaning to the Stafford Allens).It’s bad because there is no previous work to rely on; it’s a brand new area of research.

       The third reason this deed is important also concerns William Nutt.In Northumberland in the 1650’s, land once owned by a William Allen (much too old to be William of Stafford) and Robert Lambdenis sold by Robert Lamben to William Nutt.This deed will be shown later when Willam Allen of Northumberland is discussed.So this locates William Allen in proximity to John and James, suggesting we are looking at a single Allen family in Northumberland.

It should also be noted that the record of John Allen being granted the land he sells to John Bennall hasn’t been found, and it is not known if he owned more land or just this property.It is known that a James Allen owns 450 acres in the same neighborhood.

       The next significant record for John Allen in Northumberland comes from 1655.He is listed as a neighbor to John Motely on a land deed of Motely’s.Here’s the record:

Land Grant 04 June 1655.
JOHN MOTLEY, of Wicocomoco, Carpenter, 600 acres in Northumberland
County "... South side of Wicocomoco Creek ... Including the main runn
that shoots upp towards the horse path South East upon the land of
JOHN ALLEN ... upon the land of ROGER WALTERS ... The said land being
due unto the said JOHN MOTLEY by and for the Transportacon of twelve
Persons into this Collony ..."
WILLIAM WHITE
ANN FOSTER
MARTHA HUNT
STEPHEN JOHNSON
JOHN ROWLAND
JAMES POWELL
WILLIAM DEACON
MORY DEACON
HENRY WILCOX
TRIPHANY DEACON
THOMAS COURTMAN
GEORGE DEVELL

This deed is also important for a number of reasons.First, John Motley is listed as a neighbor of James Allen on several of Jame’s deeds which will be shown later, once again connecting by proximity this John Allen and the James Allen who will be discussed later.

       Most importantly, however, John Motely is a carpenter, and John Allen found in Staffod in 1700is also a carpenter.So then it is possible, even likely, that the John Allen listed on this deed in 1655 apprenticed out his son, John Jr., to his neighbor, John Motely, to become a carpenter.So the theory here would be that John on this deed in 1655 is the same John, noted as a Tanner, who sells land to John Bennall in 1667.And he has a son John Jr. who becomes a carpenter and is recorded as contracting to build a ship in 1675 with Augustine Kneaton in Northumberland.John Jr., then, is the father of John and William of Stafford, who buy land from Augustine Kneaton in Stafford.John Allen III learns carpentry from his father John Allen Jr., and William Allen learns leather work from his grandfather, John Allen. This is just a theory, and it fits the known facts the best.But it is also possible that John and William of Stafford are simply older than originally thought, and that John (1675 ship-builder) is the same John in Stafford.The picture is not entirely clear yet.What is clear is that in both Northumberland and Stafford the Allen’s seem to be in a community of tradesman: tanners, cordwainers, carpenters, blacksmiths, mill operators, ship-builders etc.In other words, the Allen’s in Stafford and Northumberland seem to share the same occupations, which is another indication the present research is on the right track.

       Finally, this deed is important because of the mention of Roger Walters.In 1669, Roger Walter’s will is witnessed by John Allen and Edward Sanders.Here’s the will.

1666-1670 Record Book Northumberland Co Va; Antient Press: Pg 115
IN Ye NAME OF GOD Amen. I ROGER WALTERS being sick of body but of sound & p'fecl minde & memory doe make &ordayae this my last Will & Test.amt: in manoer & forme as following that is to say. first, I committ my Soul unto God yt. gave it in whom I trust for Satvacon, Secondly. I bequeth my body to ye Earth to be buryed in Christian buryal,
Also I bequeath unto JOHN JONES. ye Son of HUGH JONES. Taylor. that Neck of Land whereon ye sd. HUGH JONES now liveth. being bounded round with two Branches almost meeting together. wcb land I give to ye sd: JOHN JONES & his heires for ever;
I give to my Daugbter. SARAH, for ye terme of her life. the tract of land wch lyeth betweene ye land I give to JNO' JONES & the land of JOHN WOOD, extending from ye head of ye valley yt p.teth the sd land of JNO JONES from my one own unto ye side line of Mrs
ELIZ NUTT, This land I give my Daushter SARAH & her heires but in case sbe dies & leaves noe living issue behind her. then ye sd land shall retorne to my Son. ROGER WALTERS & his heires for ever,
I give & bequeath unto my Son ROGER & my Daughter FRANCES the wife of WM. SMYTH. al ye rest of my land equally to be divided betweene them to them &e their heires for ever. only reserving for my loving, Wife her life upon ye sd. land and wth ye appurtenances thereof. the Condition of this above if in case my Daughter, FRANCES. dies & leaves no living issue behind her, tben ye said land to retorne to my Son, ROGER.
if in case my Son, ROGER dies & leaves no living issue lawfully behind him, then the sd land to fall to my Daughter FRANCES SMYTH and her beires for ever;
I give unto DOROTHY, the wife of JOHN ALLOWAY. one Cow CaIfe to bee delivered within a yere after my decease:
I give unto ELINOR. the Wife of JOHN YEATES, one Cow Cafe to be delivered within a yeare after my decease,
Alsoe I make my loving & well beloved Wife my whole and sole executrix of this my Last will & Testamt. Alsoe I give all ye rest of my wholo estate unto my loving wife ELLYNOR WALT£RS wch; is ye Executrix of this my Last will & Testamt.. as witness my
hand & seale this 29th of Decembr; 1669
Signed sealed & delivered in p:seace of
JOHN ALLEN. sign ROGER WALTERS
EDW SANDERS
20th janry. 1669/70. This was proved to be ye Last will & Testamt of ROGER WALTERS by ye oaths of JNO ALLEN & EDW SANDERS

This will led to some research on Edward Sanders that may be important.
(Dr. Edward Sanders)

Dr. Edward Sanders was a large landowner in the Northumberland area and a very prominent citizen.There are records in which he testifies in a witchcraft trial, which give an interesting flavor to the Northumberland community—Salem didn’t have exclusive rights to the witch-hunt it seems.But that’s not why he is important;because he appears on the above will with John Allen, a quick search was done on Edward, and it was discovered that some Sanders’ family researchers claim that Edward came to America from England on a ship called The Safety in 1635.Subsequently, the passenger list was located for the Safety and indeed an Edward Sanders, along with his father Edward Sr. and a brother, were found on the list.Also on the ship’s passenger list were James Allin, Richard Allin, and Joan Allin.And a James Allen is a significant landowner in Northumberland, in the same neighborhood with John Allen, John Motley, Edward Sanders, Roger Walters, etc.Very shortly, James Allen will be discussed in detail and the significance of the passenger list will be further examined.Here’s the web-address for the book containing the passenger list: http://ia700500.us.archive.org/8/items/originallistsofp00hottuoft/originallistsofp00hottuoft.pdfhttp://ia700500.us.archive.org/8/items/originallistsofp00hottuoft/originallistsofp00hottuoft.pdf
One last thing should be said about Edward Sanders, although at the moment it seems like a simple coincidence of no real importance.The original research of the Allen family in Stafford noted that the Allens married extensively into the Waller And Withers family in that community, both of which can be found on Aquia Creek in Stafford in the mid 1660’s.Specifically William Withers and William Waller are found on records in that time period.Recently, the following record was found:

10 Oct 1666 Stafford County, Virginia Order Book, 1664-1668. No. 331
[Roads to be cleared] “…from pastenare to the filly at Potomack Creek and from thence to the Ferry at Acquia and from then to Chopwamsick Cr. The Court doth order that John MATHEWS and William HARRIS be surveighors from Paspetanze to Potomack Creek and Mr. Edward SANDERS and Wm. WITHERS from thence to Aquia and Mr. Robert MOSLEY and Mr. William BEACH to Chopmowamsick…”
       
Here an Edward Sanders is found with William Withers in Stafford.It has been determined that this is not the same Edward Sanders in Northumberland.This Edward later resides in Charles Co. Maryland, and no connection so far has been found between Edward in Charles Co. and Edward in Northumberland.But it almost seems like too much of a coincidence to be real.It won’t be surprising if a connection between the two Edwards is found in the future.And it may be important, because there are a bunch of Allen’s in Charles Co. Maryland that might turn out to be related.It should also be noted that a deed for a William Withers (Weathers) has been located in Northumberland around 1650. For now, however, this is just speculation and it is time to move on to the consideration of James Allen in Northumberland.

(James Allen)
       There are a number of land records for James in Northumberland, and a lot to say about those records, but first the record which relates to the above mentioned passenger list should be examined:

CAVALIERS AND PIONEERS PATENT BOOK No. 3; Pg 239
JAMES ALLEN, 300 acs. Northumberland Co., 9 June 1653, p. 25. Ely. upon Wiccocomico Cr. The said land king formerly granted unto the said Richard als. (alias) James Allen by patent 20 June 1651 & renewed by order of the Govr. & Councell bearing date with these presents.

It could be well argued that just because a James Allen appears on the passenger list with Edward Sanders is no reason to assume that it is the same James Allen found in Northumberland.But remember that a Richard Allin is also on the passenger list with James.And then look at the strange comment in the above deed, “Richard als. (alias) James Allen.”It’s a strange passage and subject to many possible interpretations, but one of them could be that the land was originally granted to Richard Allen and later given to James.And it does look like the James Allen on the ship has a brother named Richard.Of course, this is all speculative at this point and no one should assert from this limited evidence that James in Northumberland is the same one on the ship with Edward Sanders.It needs to be mentioned as a possibility, however, because if it is true, then James Allen is possibly our first Allen ancestor in America.It’s difficult to say what James Allen’s relationship with John Allen (1655) might be.He could be John’s father, making him another great-grandfather in our line.Or he could bea brother.

       Other researchers have been interested in the Richard Allin located on the ship with James, and they claim (the evidence hasn’t been examined, yet) that he is the same Richard Allen who shows up on records in Northampton, VA at the same time James shows up in Northumberland.This makes sense because a quick analysis of the population of Northampton and Northumberland shows that many people were moving back and forth between the two communities.And there do seem to be some garbled land records concerning Richard in Northampton that mention Northumberland:

Land Office Patents & Grants/Northern Neck Grants & Surveys : CATALOG CARD MULTIMEDIA Patent GRANTEE Allen, Richard. grantee. DATE 10 March 1652. Location: Elizabeth City County. Description: 85 acres at the head of Scoones Dam, adjoining the land of Wm. Houlder. Source: Land Office Patents No. 3, 1652-1655, p. 188 (Reel 2). See also the following surname(s): Allin. Note: Part of the index to the recorded copies of patents for land issued by the Secretary of the Colony serving as the colonial Land Office. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia. OTHER FORMAT Available on microfilm. Virginia State Land Office. Patents 1-42, reels 1-41.

Land Office Patents & Grants/Northern Neck Grants & Surveys : CATALOG CARD MULTIMEDIA Patent GRANTEE Allen, Richard. grantee. DATE 21 November 1654. Location: Northampton County. Description: 500 acres at the seaboard side near Matchepongo called by the name of Allens Quarter. Source: Land Office Patents No. 3, 1652-1655, p. 296 (Reel 2). See also the following surname(s): Allin. Part of the index to the recorded copies of patents for land issued by the Secretary of the Colony serving as the colonial Land Office. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia. OTHER FORMAT Available on microfilm. Virginia State Land Office. Patents 1-42, reels 1-41.

Land Office Patents & Grants/Northern Neck Grants & Surveys : CATALOG CARD MULTIMEDIA Grant GRANTEE Allen, Richard. grantee. Location: Northumberland County. Description: 100 acres westerly on a great swamp between Hungars Creek and Nuswatock Creek. (no date) [1653?] Source: Land Office Patents No. 3, 1652-1655, p. 246 (Reel 2). See also the following surname(s): Allin. Part of the index to the recorded copies of patents for land issued by the Secretary of the Colony serving as the colonial Land Office. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia. OTHER FORMAT Available on microfilm. Virginia State Land Office. Patents 1-42, reels

The picture of James and Richard at this point is too unclear to make any real judgments, but at least there are some things here to investigate.For the purposes of the present discussion, the focus will remain on the Allen’s actuallyin Northumberland.

       The next important record for James locates him in proximity to the Hobson family of Northumberland.Here’s the record:

3-48: William Wildey of Northumberland Co. 816 A.: 216 A. surplus in 600 A. granted John Motley 13 Jan. 1661. Land now Wildey's by marrying only daughter of Motley. Wrnt. 3 July 1703. Surv. by George Cooper. On Little Wiccocomoco R., adj. James Allen, Roger Waters (Walters), Bickely's Cove, Mr. Hobson's mill, Ralph Waddington, Mr. Nutt, Motley's Br. Mr. Thomas Webb, Allen and John Webb, James Allen. 23 Aug. 1704.

Here William Nutt makes another appearance, proving the connection ( at least by proximity) between John Allen (1667 Tanner) and this James Allen—both are neighbors of Mr. Nutt.

       This deed also locates James Allen (jr. ?) close to the Hobson family who own “Hobson’s Mill.”Remember here that the original inspiration for this research was a reference to John Allen, William Hobson, and Augustine Kneaton building a ship in Northumberland in 1675.So finding an Allen family living close to the Hobson family in Northumberland in 1704 gives some credibility to the notion that John Allen and William Hobson could have contracted to build a ship together in 1675.It has been subsequently determined that the Mill was owned by Thomas Hobson, and a man named Henry Watts gave the mill to Thomas       as a wedding present.Henry Watts appears as a neighbor to James Allen on several 1650’s land records.

       The mention of Ralph Waddington on the will may also be important.On the ship The Safety (1635) a Hannah Waddington is listed with the Allin’s and Sander’s etc.And William of Stafford names one of his daughters Hannah.And of course it could turn out to be important that one of the Webb men mentioned here is named Allen.

       There are several land records for James Allen in Northumberland, and they will all be produced at the end of this section, but a few thingsshould be mentionedabout them right now.Consider the following:

CAVALIERS AND PIONEERS PATENT BOOK No. 4; Pg 395
JAMES ALLEN, 450 acs. Northumberland Co., 26 Sept. 1661, p. 293,
(1). Ely. upon little Wiccocomico Riv. or Cr., Sly. upon a branch of same dividing this & land of Richard Span & Henry Watts, S.W. from near the head of a branch & N. upon a line of trees parting this & land of Jno. Motly, &c. 300 acs. by patent 20 June 1651, renewed 9 June 1653 & residue for trans. of 3 pers: Xtopher Wright, Nich. Spencer, Jno. Motrom.

This is a very strange deed because James receives land for the transportation of Nicholas Spencer and John Motrom.Both Nicholas and John were very famous, prominent citizens and they wouldn’t need our James to pay to bring them to America.Indeed, they both have their own Wikipedia page:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Spencerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Spencer,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Mottromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Mottrom.So why are these two men on Jame’s deed?One of two possibilities:it was a land scam, and James put their names down as a joke, or James had a relationship with the two men and they sold (or allowed him to use) their names, essentially transferring their head-rightpatent to James because they didn’t need any more land.

Finally, it appears James Allen died around 1672, for this reference to his will is found:

1669-1673 Order Book Northumberland Co Va; Antient Press: Pg 165
Northumberland County Court 18th of December 1672
- This day ye Last Will & Testamt. of JAMES ALLEN was proved by ye Oathes of RALPH WADDINGTON, THO: GARRETT, JNO: CHAMPION and FRANCIS BRICKLEY witnesses of ye said Will

The will itself hasn’t been found, unfortunately, but the following reference makes it seem that James sold 100 A. to Ralph Waddington and left the remaining 300 A. to unknown people:


It’s unclear to whom James left his land at this point, but it doesn’t seem like it was left to members of his family.The will needs to be found.
Here are all of the land deeds concerning James:

CAVALIERS AND PIONEERS PATENT BOOK No. 2; Pg 216
JAMES ALLEN, 300 acs. Northumberland Co., 20 June 1651, p. 325. Abutting Ely. upon Wiccocomico Cr., & Sly. upon a branch of sd. Cr. Trans. of 6 pers: Andrew Brownes, John Selly, James Allin, Elizabeth Manger, Walter Copsas, Mathew Hinderson.
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CAVALIERS AND PIONEERS PATENT BOOK No. 3; Pg 239
JAMES ALLEN, 300 acs. Northumberland Co., 9 June 1653, p. 25. Ely. upon Wiccocomico Cr. The said land king formerly granted unto the said Richard all. (alias) James Allen by patent 20 June 1651 & renewed by order of the Govr. & Councell bearing date with these presents.
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CAVALIERS AND PIONEERS PATENT BOOK No. 4; Pg 368
JAMES ALLEN, 450 acs. Northumberland Co., 25 Nov. 1657, p. 179, (265). Ely. upon little Wicocomoco Riv. or Cr., Sly. upon a branch of same dividing this & land of Richard Span & Henry Watts, Nly. upon a lyne of marked trees parting this & land of John Motly & running "to a white cake being an Mkt corner tree knowne to divers besides them that have Land neare adjacent." Granted sd. Allen 20 June 1651, renewed 9 June 1653, for 300 acs; & 150 acs. for trans. of 3 pers. *
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CAVALIERS AND PIONEERS PATENT BOOK No. 4; Pg 371
JAMES ALLEN, 450 acs. Northumberland Co., 25 Nov. 1657, p. 193, (282). Ely. .upon Wiccomoco Riv. Cr., Sly. upon a branch of same dividing this from land of Richard Spann & Henry Watts & Nly. upon a line of trees dividing this & land of John Motly. 300 acs. by patent, 20 June 1657 & residue for trans. of 3 pers.
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CAVALIERS AND PIONEERS PATENT BOOK No. 4; Pg 395
JAMES ALLEN, 450 acs. Northumberland Co., 26 Sept. 1661, p. 293,
(1). Ely. upon little Wiccocomico Riv. or Cr., Sly. upon a branch of same dividing this & land of Richard Span & Henry Watts, S.W. from near the head of a branch & N. upon a line of trees parting this & land of Jno. Motly, &c. 300 acs. by patent 20 June 1651, renewed 9 June 1653 & residue for trans. of 3 pers: Xtopher Wright, Nich. Spencer, Jno. Motrom.
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1657-1661 Order Book Northumberland Co Va; Antient Press: Pg 159
Northumberland County Court 22th of March 1657/58
- These are to certifie yt, according to sufficient proofe made before this Cort: there is due to JAMES ALLEN 50 acres of Land for the transportacon of JNO: ASHWIN into this Colony

(William Allen)
       Several records locate a William Allen (and a Thomas) in early Northumberland, but it is unclear if they are related.One land record exists for William:
4Jun1655 Mr. William NUTT, 683a NorthumberlandCo
(N sid Great WicocomocoRiv, Lambdens Cr to Iland Cr)
350a of which was granted to Robert LAMBDEN & William ALLEN
and by the latter assigned to sd LAMBDEN {C&P 1:309

Here we find land once owned by William Allen being granted to William Nutt, who we find later as a neighbor of James and John Allen, suggesting possibly that William is related.A William Allen is also listed in Beverly Fleet’s book, Virginia Colonial Abtracts, as being exempt from taxes in Northumberland around 1650, which means he would have been born around 1595.There are several other references in Beverly Fleet’s book to Allen family members in Northumberland, and some recording of births and marriages, but often the dates are missing.