Thomas Allin
Encyclopedia
Thomas Allin was a soldier and surveyor
who became an early settler and political leader in Kentucky
. He served in the Revolutionary War
, first in the North Carolina militia and then as part of general Nathanael Greene
's campaign.
Following the war, Allin settled in the Kentucky district of Virginia. He participated in the Northwest Indian War
, fighting with future Kentucky governor
Charles Scott
. He then became the surveyor for the Transylvania Company, laying out the towns of Harrodsburg
and Henderson
. He served for many years as county clerk and circuit court
clerk in Mercer County, Kentucky
. He was succeeded in these offices by two of his sons. He died of cholera
on June 26, 1833.
on May 14, 1757. The following year, the family moved to Granville County, North Carolina
, where Allin was raised on the family farm.
Allin enlisted as a private
in the North Carolina militia shortly after the beginning of the Revolutionary War
. Later, he served in the army of general Nathaneal Greene and participated in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.
Allin's first visit to Kentucky was in 1780. In 1781, he moved to St. Asaph's (now Stanford
) in Lincoln County
. He was chosen as deputy surveyor for Lincoln County, and in 1782, he became the county's deputy sheriff. He held both positions until approximately 1786. He surveyed the land for the site of what is now Lexington, Kentucky
, and as compensation, received the land that Newport, Kentucky
now occupies. He later lost this land in a lawsuit.
As a captain in the Northwest Indian War
, Allin commanded a company of mounted infantry under General Charles Scott
in Indiana
, and participated in the Battle of Tippecanoe
. Before the end of this enlistment, he was promoted to major
and served as quartermaster
and commissary
.
, where he became a deputy clerk for the Supreme Court of the District of Kentucky, serving in the office of Christopher Greenup
. He held this post until 1792. After the creation of Mercer County, Kentucky
in 1786, he was chosen as the first county clerk and the clerk of the circuit court
. He represented Mercer County
to the Virginia constitutional convention in June 1788. He and ten other delegates from the Kentucky district voted against the new constitution; three Kentucky delegates voted for the new constitution, and one abstained.
On February 16, 1787, Allin married Mary Jouett of Albemarle County, Virginia
. Jouett was the aunt of noted painter Matthew Harris Jouett
. They had ten children. Both Allin and his wife were both members of the Christian Church
.
Allin was invited to become a member of the Danville Political Club
at the Club's second meeting, and served as its treasurer and secretary pro tempore. He was also a charter member of the Kentucky Society for the Promotion of Useful Knowledge in 1787. In August 1799, He represented Mercer County at Kentucky's second constitutional convention.
Allin was the surveyor for the Transylvania Company, and laying out the site of the city of Henderson, Kentucky
in 1797. He also helped lay out the town of Harrodsburg, Kentucky
, and served as clerk of its board of trustees from March 24, 1786 to May 4, 1816. In 1811, he was elected surveyor for the town of Danville. In addition to surveying, he operated a farm, a mill, and a distillery.
Allin resigned as circuit court clerk in 1825 and as county clerk in 1831. His son, Ben, succeeded him in the former office, and his son, Thomas, Jr., succeeded him in the latter. He died of cholera
on June 26, 1833 and was buried in Springhill Cemetery in Harrodsburg.
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
who became an early settler and political leader in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. He served in the Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, first in the North Carolina militia and then as part of general Nathanael Greene
Nathanael Greene
Nathanael Greene was a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. When the war began, Greene was a militia private, the lowest rank possible; he emerged from the war with a reputation as George Washington's most gifted and dependable officer. Many places in the United...
's campaign.
Following the war, Allin settled in the Kentucky district of Virginia. He participated in the Northwest Indian War
Northwest Indian War
The Northwest Indian War , also known as Little Turtle's War and by various other names, was a war fought between the United States and a confederation of numerous American Indian tribes for control of the Northwest Territory...
, fighting with future Kentucky governor
Governor of Kentucky
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the head of the executive branch of government in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Fifty-six men and one woman have served as Governor of Kentucky. The governor's term is four years in length; since 1992, incumbents have been able to seek re-election once...
Charles Scott
Charles Scott (governor of Kentucky)
Charles Scott was an American soldier and politician who served as the fourth Governor of Kentucky from 1808 to 1812. Orphaned at an early age, Scott served under Edward Braddock and George Washington in the French and Indian War...
. He then became the surveyor for the Transylvania Company, laying out the towns of Harrodsburg
Harrodsburg, Kentucky
Harrodsburg is a city in and the county seat of Mercer County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 8,014 at the 2000 census. It is the oldest city in Kentucky.-History:...
and Henderson
Henderson, Kentucky
Henderson is a city in Henderson County, Kentucky, United States, along the Ohio River in the western part of the state. The population was 27,952 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Evansville Metropolitan Area often referred to as "Kentuckiana", although "Tri-State Area" or "Tri-State" are more...
. He served for many years as county clerk and circuit court
Kentucky Circuit Courts
The Kentucky Circuit Courts are the state courts of general jurisdiction in the U.S. state of Kentucky.The Circuit Courts are trial courts with original jurisdiction in cases involving capital offenses, felonies, land disputes, contested probates of wills, and civil lawsuits in disputes with an...
clerk in Mercer County, Kentucky
Mercer County, Kentucky
Mercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 20,817. Its county seat is Harrodsburg. The county is named for General Hugh Mercer...
. He was succeeded in these offices by two of his sons. He died of cholera
Cholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking or eating water or food that has been contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person or the feces...
on June 26, 1833.
Early life and military career
Thomas Allin was born the son of William and Frances (Grant) Allin in Hanover County, VirginiaHanover County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 86,320 people, 31,121 households, and 24,461 families residing in the county. The population density was 183 people per square mile . There were 32,196 housing units at an average density of 68 per square mile...
on May 14, 1757. The following year, the family moved to Granville County, North Carolina
Granville County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 59,916 people in 20,628 households residing in the county. The population density was 111.6 people per square mile . There were 22,827 housing units at an average density of 42.5 per square mile...
, where Allin was raised on the family farm.
Allin enlisted as a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in the North Carolina militia shortly after the beginning of the Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. Later, he served in the army of general Nathaneal Greene and participated in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.
Allin's first visit to Kentucky was in 1780. In 1781, he moved to St. Asaph's (now Stanford
Stanford, Kentucky
Stanford is a city in Lincoln County, Kentucky, United States. It is one of the oldest settlements in Kentucky, having been founded in 1775. Its population was 3,430 at the 2000 census...
) in Lincoln County
Lincoln County, Kentucky
Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 24,742 in the 2010 Cesus. Its county seat is Stanford. Lincoln is a prohibition or "dry county" and is part of the Danville Micropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
. He was chosen as deputy surveyor for Lincoln County, and in 1782, he became the county's deputy sheriff. He held both positions until approximately 1786. He surveyed the land for the site of what is now Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
, and as compensation, received the land that Newport, Kentucky
Newport, Kentucky
Newport is a city in Campbell County, Kentucky, United States, at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking rivers. The population was 15,273 at the 2010 census. Historically, it was one of four county seats of Campbell County. Newport is part of the Greater Cincinnati, Ohio Metro Area which...
now occupies. He later lost this land in a lawsuit.
As a captain in the Northwest Indian War
Northwest Indian War
The Northwest Indian War , also known as Little Turtle's War and by various other names, was a war fought between the United States and a confederation of numerous American Indian tribes for control of the Northwest Territory...
, Allin commanded a company of mounted infantry under General Charles Scott
Charles Scott (governor of Kentucky)
Charles Scott was an American soldier and politician who served as the fourth Governor of Kentucky from 1808 to 1812. Orphaned at an early age, Scott served under Edward Braddock and George Washington in the French and Indian War...
in Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, and participated in the Battle of Tippecanoe
Battle of Tippecanoe
The Battle of Tippecanoe was fought on November 7, 1811, between United States forces led by Governor William Henry Harrison of the Indiana Territory and Native American warriors associated with the Shawnee leader Tecumseh. Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa were leaders of a confederacy of...
. Before the end of this enlistment, he was promoted to major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
and served as quartermaster
Quartermaster
Quartermaster refers to two different military occupations depending on if the assigned unit is land based or naval.In land armies, especially US units, it is a term referring to either an individual soldier or a unit who specializes in distributing supplies and provisions to troops. The senior...
and commissary
Commissary
A commissary is someone delegated by a superior to execute a duty or an office; in a formal, legal context, one who has received power from a legitimate superior authority to pass judgment in a certain cause or to take information concerning it.-Word history:...
.
Settlement in Kentucky
Following the war, Allin moved to Danville, KentuckyDanville, Kentucky
Danville is a city in and the county seat of Boyle County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 16,218 at the 2010 census.Danville is the principal city of the Danville Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Boyle and Lincoln counties....
, where he became a deputy clerk for the Supreme Court of the District of Kentucky, serving in the office of Christopher Greenup
Christopher Greenup
Christopher Greenup was an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative and the third Governor of Kentucky...
. He held this post until 1792. After the creation of Mercer County, Kentucky
Mercer County, Kentucky
Mercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 20,817. Its county seat is Harrodsburg. The county is named for General Hugh Mercer...
in 1786, he was chosen as the first county clerk and the clerk of the circuit court
Circuit court
Circuit court is the name of court systems in several common law jurisdictions.-History:King Henry II instituted the custom of having judges ride around the countryside each year to hear appeals, rather than forcing everyone to bring their appeals to London...
. He represented Mercer County
Mercer County, Kentucky
Mercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 20,817. Its county seat is Harrodsburg. The county is named for General Hugh Mercer...
to the Virginia constitutional convention in June 1788. He and ten other delegates from the Kentucky district voted against the new constitution; three Kentucky delegates voted for the new constitution, and one abstained.
On February 16, 1787, Allin married Mary Jouett of Albemarle County, Virginia
Albemarle County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 79,236 people, 31,876 households, and 21,070 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile . There were 33,720 housing units at an average density of 47 per square mile...
. Jouett was the aunt of noted painter Matthew Harris Jouett
Matthew Harris Jouett
Matthew Harris Jouett was an American portrait painter.Jouett was the son of Sallie Robards and Jack Jouett, a hero of the American Revolution. The elder Jouett sent his son to Transylvania University and encouraged him to study law, but Matthew spent much of his time painting...
. They had ten children. Both Allin and his wife were both members of the Christian Church
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
The Christian Church is a Mainline Protestant denomination in North America. It is often referred to as The Christian Church, The Disciples of Christ, or more simply as The Disciples...
.
Allin was invited to become a member of the Danville Political Club
Danville Political Club
The Danville Political Club was a debating society based in Danville, Kentucky from 1786 to 1790.-Discovery:There are very few extant contemporary references to the Political Club. A U.S...
at the Club's second meeting, and served as its treasurer and secretary pro tempore. He was also a charter member of the Kentucky Society for the Promotion of Useful Knowledge in 1787. In August 1799, He represented Mercer County at Kentucky's second constitutional convention.
Allin was the surveyor for the Transylvania Company, and laying out the site of the city of Henderson, Kentucky
Henderson, Kentucky
Henderson is a city in Henderson County, Kentucky, United States, along the Ohio River in the western part of the state. The population was 27,952 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Evansville Metropolitan Area often referred to as "Kentuckiana", although "Tri-State Area" or "Tri-State" are more...
in 1797. He also helped lay out the town of Harrodsburg, Kentucky
Harrodsburg, Kentucky
Harrodsburg is a city in and the county seat of Mercer County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 8,014 at the 2000 census. It is the oldest city in Kentucky.-History:...
, and served as clerk of its board of trustees from March 24, 1786 to May 4, 1816. In 1811, he was elected surveyor for the town of Danville. In addition to surveying, he operated a farm, a mill, and a distillery.
Allin resigned as circuit court clerk in 1825 and as county clerk in 1831. His son, Ben, succeeded him in the former office, and his son, Thomas, Jr., succeeded him in the latter. He died of cholera
Cholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking or eating water or food that has been contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person or the feces...
on June 26, 1833 and was buried in Springhill Cemetery in Harrodsburg.