William Fessenden Allen
Encyclopedia
William Fessenden Allen was an American businessman in the Kingdom of Hawaii
and Republic of Hawaii
.
.
His mother was Sarah Elizabeth Fessenden.
His father was politician and diplomat Elisha Hunt Allen
(1804–1883). After his mother died in 1845, he was brought up by his mother's mother Patty Fessenden in Brattleboro, Vermont
, along with his brother and his two sisters.
Allen attended Williams College
from 1848 to 1850.
He officially renounced his American citizenship and became naturalized to the Kingdom of Hawaii
on June 19, 1860.
When his father was appointed Consul
to the Kingdom of Hawaii
, they sailed to Honolulu and arrived on May 31, 1850. However, the young Allen was attracted to the California Gold Rush
and spent two years working in San Francisco. In 1852 he joined his father in Hawaii and worked as bookeeper in a store selling supplies to whaling
ships.
Allen married Cordelia Church Bishop (1837–1912), the cousin of banker Charles Reed Bishop
, in 1865 at San Francisco.
He served as president of the sugar plantation
in Princeville, Hawaii
when his father traveled back to Washington, DC.
On March 5, 1867 King Kamehameha V
appointed him to his staff with ceremonial rank of Colonel. He was reappointed by King Lunalilo
in 1873 and King Kalākaua
in 1874. Kalākaua appointed Allen to his Privy Council
on January 18, 1879.
After the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii Allen was on the Advisory Council of the Provisional Government of Hawaii
(serving as chairman in March 1894), and then the Executive Council of the Republic of Hawaii
.
Allen's health started to fail in 1905 and he died after suffering a stroke
February 5, 1906 in Honolulu.
Kingdom of Hawaii
The Kingdom of Hawaii was established during the years 1795 to 1810 with the subjugation of the smaller independent chiefdoms of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lānai, Kauai and Niihau by the chiefdom of Hawaii into one unified government...
and Republic of Hawaii
Republic of Hawaii
The Republic of Hawaii was the formal name of the government that controlled Hawaii from 1894 to 1898 when it was run as a republic. The republic period occurred between the administration of the Provisional Government of Hawaii which ended on July 4, 1894 and the adoption of the Newlands...
.
Life
William Fessenden Allen was born December 19, 1831 in Bangor, MaineBangor, Maine
Bangor is a city in and the county seat of Penobscot County, Maine, United States, and the major commercial and cultural center for eastern and northern Maine...
.
His mother was Sarah Elizabeth Fessenden.
His father was politician and diplomat Elisha Hunt Allen
Elisha Hunt Allen
Elisha Hunt Allen was an American congressman, lawyer, diplomat, and judge and diplomat for the Kingdom of Hawaii.-Life:Elisha Hunt Allen was born January 28, 1804 in New Salem, Massachusetts. His father was Massachusetts minister, lawyer, and politician Samuel Clesson Allen and mother was Mary...
(1804–1883). After his mother died in 1845, he was brought up by his mother's mother Patty Fessenden in Brattleboro, Vermont
Brattleboro, Vermont
Brattleboro, originally Brattleborough, is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States, located in the southeast corner of the state, along the state line with New Hampshire. The population was 12,046 at the 2010 census...
, along with his brother and his two sisters.
Allen attended Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
from 1848 to 1850.
He officially renounced his American citizenship and became naturalized to the Kingdom of Hawaii
Kingdom of Hawaii
The Kingdom of Hawaii was established during the years 1795 to 1810 with the subjugation of the smaller independent chiefdoms of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lānai, Kauai and Niihau by the chiefdom of Hawaii into one unified government...
on June 19, 1860.
When his father was appointed Consul
Consul (representative)
The political title Consul is used for the official representatives of the government of one state in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, and to facilitate trade and friendship between the peoples of the two countries...
to the Kingdom of Hawaii
Kingdom of Hawaii
The Kingdom of Hawaii was established during the years 1795 to 1810 with the subjugation of the smaller independent chiefdoms of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lānai, Kauai and Niihau by the chiefdom of Hawaii into one unified government...
, they sailed to Honolulu and arrived on May 31, 1850. However, the young Allen was attracted to the California Gold Rush
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
and spent two years working in San Francisco. In 1852 he joined his father in Hawaii and worked as bookeeper in a store selling supplies to whaling
Whaling
Whaling is the hunting of whales mainly for meat and oil. Its earliest forms date to at least 3000 BC. Various coastal communities have long histories of sustenance whaling and harvesting beached whales...
ships.
Allen married Cordelia Church Bishop (1837–1912), the cousin of banker Charles Reed Bishop
Charles Reed Bishop
Charles Reed Bishop was a businessman and philanthropist in Hawaii.Born in Glens Falls, New York, he sailed to Hawaii in 1846 at the age of 24, and made his home there. Bishop was one of the first trustees of and a major donor to the Kamehameha Schools in Hawaii...
, in 1865 at San Francisco.
He served as president of the sugar plantation
Sugar plantations in Hawaii
Sugarcane was introduced to Hawaii by its first inhabitants in approximately 600 AD and was observed by Captain Cook upon arrival in the islands in 1778. Sugar quickly turned into a big business and generated rapid population growth in the islands with 337,000 people immigrating over the span of a...
in Princeville, Hawaii
Princeville, Hawaii
Princeville is a census-designated place on the north shore of the island of Kauai in Kauai County, Hawaii, United States. The population was 1,698 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Princeville is located at ....
when his father traveled back to Washington, DC.
Government
Allen served as the Collector General of Customs for the Kingdom of Hawaii from January 1, 1864 until September 19, 1884.On March 5, 1867 King Kamehameha V
Kamehameha V
aloghaKamehameha V , born as Lot Kapuāiwa, reigned as monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1863 to 1872. His motto was "Onipa`a": immovable, firm, steadfast or determined; he worked diligently for his people and kingdom and was described as the last great traditional chief...
appointed him to his staff with ceremonial rank of Colonel. He was reappointed by King Lunalilo
Lunalilo
Lunalilo, born William Charles Lunalilo , was king of the Kingdom of Hawaii from January 8, 1873 until February 3, 1874...
in 1873 and King Kalākaua
Kalakaua
Kalākaua, born David Laamea Kamanakapuu Mahinulani Nalaiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua and sometimes called The Merrie Monarch , was the last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaii...
in 1874. Kalākaua appointed Allen to his Privy Council
Privy council
A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchic government. The word "privy" means "private" or "secret"; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the monarch's closest advisors to give confidential advice on...
on January 18, 1879.
After the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii Allen was on the Advisory Council of the Provisional Government of Hawaii
Provisional Government of Hawaii
The Provisional Government of Hawaii abbreviated "P.G." was proclaimed on January 17, 1893 by the 13 member Committee of Safety under the leadership of Sanford B. Dole...
(serving as chairman in March 1894), and then the Executive Council of the Republic of Hawaii
Republic of Hawaii
The Republic of Hawaii was the formal name of the government that controlled Hawaii from 1894 to 1898 when it was run as a republic. The republic period occurred between the administration of the Provisional Government of Hawaii which ended on July 4, 1894 and the adoption of the Newlands...
.
Allen's health started to fail in 1905 and he died after suffering a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
February 5, 1906 in Honolulu.