A Compendium of Irish Biography/Allen, John, Colonel
Allen, John, Colonel, was an associate of Robert Emmet’s in the emeute of 1803 and one in whom he placed unlimited confidence. He was partner in a woollen-drapery business at 36 College-green. After Emmet’s failure he was for a time concealed at Butterfield-lane, and then in Trinity College, escaping eventually as a member of the College Yeomanry Corps. On his arrival in France he entered the Trinity College, escaping eventually as a member of the College Yeomanry Corps. On his arrival in France he entered the army, slid rapidly rose, through his daring services, to the rank of colonel. He served with distinction in the campaign of Leipsic; he joined Napoleon on his return from Elba; and it is stated that his surrender was demanded by the British Government on the second occupation of Paris. He was sent under guard to the frontier to be delivered up. On the last night of the journey, one of his guard, on conducting him to his room, whispered: " Monsieur le Colonel, the room in which you are to be confined is strong, but one of the iron bars of the window is loose: we trust you will not escape." He took the hint, and regained his liberty. Some years afterwards he privately visited Dublin, and removed his aged sisters, with whom he spent the remainder of his life in Normandy. The precise date of his death is not known—he was living in 1846. [1]
- Authorities
- ↑ United Irishmen, their Lives and Times: Third Series: Robert R. Madden, M.D. 3 vols. Dublin, 1846.