The Biographical Dictionary of America/Allen, Heman (diplomat)

ALLEN, Heman, diplomat, was born at Cornwall, Ct., Oct. 15, 1740, second son of Joseph and Mary (Baker) Allen. His father died in 1755, and he, after going with his brothers to the New Hampshire grants, returned and became a merchant at Salisbury, Ct., where he was living when the war of the revolution broke out. He was largely interested in Vermont and owned considerable property there. He was a delegate from Rutland, Vt., to the convention of January, 1777, that declared for independence, and again from Colchester, Vt., to the Windsor convention that framed the state constitution. He was also agent from Dorset convention of January, 1776, to present the cause of the people of Vermont to Congress, petitioning to be allowed to serve in the common cause, under officers to be named by Congress. This was a very successful effort, and he reported on the mission, July 22, 1776. In all the conventions looking to the affairs of Vermont, save two, his name appears as a delegate, and in the two he served as delegate at large or counsellor. He represented Middlebury in the state legislature one term. He was captain of a company in the regiment of Green Mountain Boys in their expedition to Canada. At the battle of Bennington he was present as one of the committee of safety, and there contracted a cold which led to decline and death in May, 1778.