Bertha, The article below, copied from Goodspeeds' History was probably written by Samuel himself. If he were kin to the other Allens living in Hardin Co. why wouldn't he mention the fact? Or, why wouldn't someone in the family know? He said he lived with his grandmother until he was 6 which indicates to me that his parents were dead. Then he went home with Miss Banks who was probably a relative, but who? Sounds more like he is with a traveling circus? Who was Mr. Stanton? We know Shepherd Thacker, but what was he doing on Limestone Creek AL? I know where Shep lived--between Mountain View and Cross Roads. The Whitlows and Wades lived nearby. Samuel married one of his neighbors, Harriet Whitlow, in 1855. They name their first child, Milton, after Milton Whitlow and the first daughter, Sarah, after Milton's wife, Sarah Wade Whitlow, parents of Harriet. I note that some of the Allens in Hardin Co., TN were born in KY. There could be a connection there. David SAMUEL R. ALLEN, one of the best known and most respected residents of the Twelfth District, was born in Kentucky, August 16, 1830. His father was also a native of that State, a stone-mason by trade. Mr. Allen was raised by his grandmother, remaining with her until his sixth year, when he went home with Miss Banks, traveling for about one year; met with Mr. Stanton of Tennessee, on the Chattahoochie River in Georgia; the following year went to Kingston, Tenn., from there he went on a flatboat on the Tennessee River to Limestone Creek, Alabama, and there met Shep Thacker with whom he came to Hardin County in 1840 and remained with him for twelve years. He then began renting lands and farming. September, 1855 he was married to Miss Harriet Whitlow, of Hardin County who died January 27, 1884. This union resulted in the birth of eleven children, of whom are living, Milton J., Sarah M., Granville S., Grant A., Ettie E., William R. and George H.; two died in infancy. Mr. Allen mar! ried the second time to Mrs. Isabella (Falls) McDaniel of Hardin County. Mr. Allen is a zealous member of the Christian Church., belongs to the Agricultural Wheel of Tennessee, and is a staunch Republican. He is one of the most enterprising, cordial and esteemed men in the entire community. ----- Original Message ----- From: Bertha Allen To: David Cagle Cc: David Cagle Sent: Saturday, July 24, 2004 4:10 PM Subject: family ties Hi David, I got a worm so I've been gone for almost a week, was lucky this time and didn't lose everything. I talked with a relative and she told me some stories that have been passed down through the family, Of course they are stories but I found them interesting, so I thought I would pass them on see what you think. It is told that ?? Allen lived KY for several years KY was until about 1810 for some reason considered part of VA, there were several brothers, some would stay and keep the younger children, the others would go ahead to another place, find work set up a home then the others would come, she also said some died with disease cholera and the like, some of the Brothers stayed in NC, some ot them stayed in TN, My branch continued on to TX where they are until this day. I read her the info I had found on Micajah Allen the father and the son. Since it isn't possible for one man and woman to have 17 children under 10 years of age they must have had their brothers children while the brothers were off to another place. She felt as I do this is the Allen family. She said the Samuel R Allen could have been a child left behind while his parents moved west or they could have died and he was left with other family members one of the Allen's wife's family.If that was the case he wouldn't have known his family.It's told there was 11 brothers, they all had skills and weren't just farmers or laborers, this also fits with micajah being a stone mason. and John being a gun smith. Elisa Allen john's daughter was a weaver.one or more were preachers. With this familles history of moving around one of these brothers could be Samuel's father, Micajah the son was born in KY or VA Wilson was born in Ky. Of course there is no way I know of to prove any of this, but it all sound reasonable and could explain why Samuel wouldn't know his parents.But could also explain why he went to Hardin TN, could be his father and mother wasn't there but other family members were. Let me know what you think. Bertha