Representative Heman Allen

Heman Allen is a name shared by three prominent early American political figures from Vermont: Heman Allen of Cornwall (1740–1778), Heman Allen of Milton (1777–1844), and Heman Allen of Colchester (1779–1852). Each played a distinct role in the political development of Vermont and the early United States, and all three were active in public life during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.

Heman Allen of Cornwall was born in 1740, part of a family that would become central to the political and military history of the New Hampshire Grants, later the State of Vermont. He was the brother of Ethan Allen, the famed Revolutionary War figure and leader of the Green Mountain Boys. Growing up in the contested frontier region between New York and New Hampshire claims, he was shaped by the land disputes and political tensions that defined the area. Alongside his brother and other local leaders, he became involved in the resistance to New York’s attempts to assert jurisdiction over the territory that would become Vermont.

During the American Revolution, Heman Allen of Cornwall emerged as a Vermont patriot closely associated with the Green Mountain Boys and the broader movement for local autonomy. He participated in the political and military efforts that supported the revolutionary cause and helped lay the groundwork for Vermont’s eventual status as an independent republic and later as a state. His activities were intertwined with those of his brother Ethan and other regional leaders who opposed both British authority and New York’s competing land claims. He remained active in these struggles until his death in 1778, at a time when the outcome of the Revolution and the future of Vermont were still uncertain.

Heman Allen of Milton was born in 1777 and came of age in the early years of the American republic, as Vermont transitioned from an independent entity to a full member of the Union. Settling in Milton, Vermont, he pursued a career in law and public affairs, reflecting the growing professionalization of politics in the early nineteenth century. His legal training and local prominence led to increasing responsibilities in civic life, where he became a recognized figure in his community and state.

In national politics, Heman Allen of Milton served as a U.S. Representative from Milton, Vermont, holding office from 1831 to 1839. Representing Vermont in the United States House of Representatives during a period marked by debates over federal power, economic policy, and territorial expansion, he participated in the legislative work of the Twenty-second through Twenty-fifth Congresses. His service in Congress placed him among the generation of lawmakers who navigated the Jacksonian era, including issues such as banking, internal improvements, and the evolving party system. After leaving Congress, he continued to be identified with the public life of Vermont until his death in 1844.

Heman Allen of Colchester was born in 1779 and, like his contemporaries in the Allen family circle, rose to prominence in Vermont’s political and diplomatic affairs. Establishing himself in Colchester, Vermont, he entered public service at a relatively young age. His early career reflected the opportunities available in a rapidly expanding republic, where new states and communities required experienced leaders to represent their interests at both the state and national levels.

In federal office, Heman Allen of Colchester served as a U.S. Representative from Colchester, Vermont, from 1817 to 1818. His tenure in the United States House of Representatives coincided with the post–War of 1812 period, a time often associated with the “Era of Good Feelings,” when questions of national development, commerce, and foreign relations were central to congressional deliberations. Following his brief service in Congress, he was appointed U.S. Minister Plenipotentiary to Chile, representing the United States in one of the newly independent nations of South America. In this diplomatic role, he contributed to the early formation of U.S. relations with Latin American republics during a formative period in hemispheric diplomacy. Heman Allen of Colchester remained a notable figure in Vermont and national public life until his death in 1852.