From the Massachusetts Spy, Worcester, MA, 13 January 1871
Ethan Allen, Esq., of this city, well known here and throughout the country as an extensive manufacturer of firearms, died at his residence, early Saturday morning, aged 64 years. His health had been ailing for the last year or two, and his death was not wholly
unexpected.
He was widely known, not only as a manufacturer, but also as an inventor. No man in the country has invented so many valuable improvements in firearms or in the
machinery for constructing them.
He was a native of Bellingham, and began business in Grafton, in 1832, as a manufacturer of pocket cutlery, but soon engaged in making pistols. He preceded Colt in this business. One of his earliest inventions was the "pepper
box revolver," produced in 1845.
Mr. Allen came to Worcester about twenty five years ago.
Soon after starting in busine3ss, he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Charles Thurber, and in 1837 their business was removed to Norwich, Conn.
They came to Worcester in 1845 and hired power and rooms of W. T. Merrifield, Esq. In 1854, they were burned out by the disastrous fire of June 14th.
After this fire, the establishment near the Junction, now occupied by Ethan Allen & Co., was built. About this time, the late T. Prince Wheelock was admitted into the firm, and the business was carried on by Allen, Thurber & Co., until 1857, Mr. Thurber retired. From this time the business was conducted by Allen & Wheelock, until 1864, when Mr.
Wheelock died.
After Mr. Wheelock's death, Mr. Allen formed a partnership with his two sons-in-law, Messrs. Sullivan Forehand and H. C. Wadsworth, the firm name being Ethan Allen & Co.
This firm has since conducted the business with eminent success. Mr. Allen was one of the most prominent and successful of that class of business men whose enterprise has done so much to promote the growth and prosperity of Worcester. He was universally esteemed for his integrity and for his great skill and his business.
By his industry and foresight, he had acquired a large fortune. His homestead estate is among the finest in the city.
Note: Sarah (Murray) Allen was his second wife, married
about 1845, possibly in CT. They appear in the 1850 census of Worcester. Both his elder daughters give their mother as Mary Harrington in their marriage record. The younger
children mention Sarah.
Ethan Allen, Esq., of this city, well known here and throughout the country as an extensive manufacturer of firearms, died at his residence, early Saturday morning, aged 64 years. His health had been ailing for the last year or two, and his death was not wholly
unexpected.
He was widely known, not only as a manufacturer, but also as an inventor. No man in the country has invented so many valuable improvements in firearms or in the
machinery for constructing them.
He was a native of Bellingham, and began business in Grafton, in 1832, as a manufacturer of pocket cutlery, but soon engaged in making pistols. He preceded Colt in this business. One of his earliest inventions was the "pepper
box revolver," produced in 1845.
Mr. Allen came to Worcester about twenty five years ago.
Soon after starting in busine3ss, he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Charles Thurber, and in 1837 their business was removed to Norwich, Conn.
They came to Worcester in 1845 and hired power and rooms of W. T. Merrifield, Esq. In 1854, they were burned out by the disastrous fire of June 14th.
After this fire, the establishment near the Junction, now occupied by Ethan Allen & Co., was built. About this time, the late T. Prince Wheelock was admitted into the firm, and the business was carried on by Allen, Thurber & Co., until 1857, Mr. Thurber retired. From this time the business was conducted by Allen & Wheelock, until 1864, when Mr.
Wheelock died.
After Mr. Wheelock's death, Mr. Allen formed a partnership with his two sons-in-law, Messrs. Sullivan Forehand and H. C. Wadsworth, the firm name being Ethan Allen & Co.
This firm has since conducted the business with eminent success. Mr. Allen was one of the most prominent and successful of that class of business men whose enterprise has done so much to promote the growth and prosperity of Worcester. He was universally esteemed for his integrity and for his great skill and his business.
By his industry and foresight, he had acquired a large fortune. His homestead estate is among the finest in the city.
Note: Sarah (Murray) Allen was his second wife, married
about 1845, possibly in CT. They appear in the 1850 census of Worcester. Both his elder daughters give their mother as Mary Harrington in their marriage record. The younger
children mention Sarah.
From the Massachusetts Spy, Worcester, MA, 13 January 1871
Ethan Allen, Esq., of this city, well known here and throughout the country as an extensive manufacturer of firearms, died at his residence, early Saturday morning, aged 64 years. His health had been ailing for the last year or two, and his death was not wholly
unexpected.
He was widely known, not only as a manufacturer, but also as an inventor. No man in the country has invented so many valuable improvements in firearms or in the
machinery for constructing them.
He was a native of Bellingham, and began business in Grafton, in 1832, as a manufacturer of pocket cutlery, but soon engaged in making pistols. He preceded Colt in this business. One of his earliest inventions was the "pepper
box revolver," produced in 1845.
Mr. Allen came to Worcester about twenty five years ago.
Soon after starting in busine3ss, he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Charles Thurber, and in 1837 their business was removed to Norwich, Conn.
They came to Worcester in 1845 and hired power and rooms of W. T. Merrifield, Esq. In 1854, they were burned out by the disastrous fire of June 14th.
After this fire, the establishment near the Junction, now occupied by Ethan Allen & Co., was built. About this time, the late T. Prince Wheelock was admitted into the firm, and the business was carried on by Allen, Thurber & Co., until 1857, Mr. Thurber retired. From this time the business was conducted by Allen & Wheelock, until 1864, when Mr.
Wheelock died.
After Mr. Wheelock's death, Mr. Allen formed a partnership with his two sons-in-law, Messrs. Sullivan Forehand and H. C. Wadsworth, the firm name being Ethan Allen & Co.
This firm has since conducted the business with eminent success. Mr. Allen was one of the most prominent and successful of that class of business men whose enterprise has done so much to promote the growth and prosperity of Worcester. He was universally esteemed for his integrity and for his great skill and his business.
By his industry and foresight, he had acquired a large fortune. His homestead estate is among the finest in the city.
Note: Sarah (Murray) Allen was his second wife, married
about 1845, possibly in CT. They appear in the 1850 census of Worcester. Both his elder daughters give their mother as Mary Harrington in their marriage record. The younger
children mention Sarah.
Ethan Allen, Esq., of this city, well known here and throughout the country as an extensive manufacturer of firearms, died at his residence, early Saturday morning, aged 64 years. His health had been ailing for the last year or two, and his death was not wholly
unexpected.
He was widely known, not only as a manufacturer, but also as an inventor. No man in the country has invented so many valuable improvements in firearms or in the
machinery for constructing them.
He was a native of Bellingham, and began business in Grafton, in 1832, as a manufacturer of pocket cutlery, but soon engaged in making pistols. He preceded Colt in this business. One of his earliest inventions was the "pepper
box revolver," produced in 1845.
Mr. Allen came to Worcester about twenty five years ago.
Soon after starting in busine3ss, he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Charles Thurber, and in 1837 their business was removed to Norwich, Conn.
They came to Worcester in 1845 and hired power and rooms of W. T. Merrifield, Esq. In 1854, they were burned out by the disastrous fire of June 14th.
After this fire, the establishment near the Junction, now occupied by Ethan Allen & Co., was built. About this time, the late T. Prince Wheelock was admitted into the firm, and the business was carried on by Allen, Thurber & Co., until 1857, Mr. Thurber retired. From this time the business was conducted by Allen & Wheelock, until 1864, when Mr.
Wheelock died.
After Mr. Wheelock's death, Mr. Allen formed a partnership with his two sons-in-law, Messrs. Sullivan Forehand and H. C. Wadsworth, the firm name being Ethan Allen & Co.
This firm has since conducted the business with eminent success. Mr. Allen was one of the most prominent and successful of that class of business men whose enterprise has done so much to promote the growth and prosperity of Worcester. He was universally esteemed for his integrity and for his great skill and his business.
By his industry and foresight, he had acquired a large fortune. His homestead estate is among the finest in the city.
Note: Sarah (Murray) Allen was his second wife, married
about 1845, possibly in CT. They appear in the 1850 census of Worcester. Both his elder daughters give their mother as Mary Harrington in their marriage record. The younger
children mention Sarah.
Family Members
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