US Senator, Rhode Island Governor. He was the older brother of Inventor/Industrialist Zachariah Allen and uncle to Rhode Island Governor/Rebellion Leader Thomas Wilson Dorr. His education ranged from private tutors and the Taunton Academy to the Robert Rogers School of Newport. In 1803 he graduated from Rhode Island College, which would, in the next year be renamed Brown University following a gift from Nicholas Brown. He then entered his fathers trading business. During the War of 1812 all shipping was suspended so he took up manufacturing cotton in Smithfield RI. He married Phebe Aborn on January 4, 1814 and together would have 11 children. He was elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives in 1819 and served until 1821. Before returning to the cotton business he was appointed a pension agent and in 1827 President of the Rhode Island branch of the United States Bank. He returned to the cotton industry and in 1831 began printing calicos. He was elected to the Governorship of Rhode Island in 1851, 1852 and 1853 but only served until July 20 1853 when he was chosen to be US Senator. During his term as Governor the death penalty was abolished in Rhode Island after the murder conviction and subsequent execution of an innocent man. In the Senate he served as Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture. In 1856 the Coast Guard Cutter Philip Allen was named after him. After his term was finished he chose not to run for reelection and retired from business and public life. He died 7 years later, on a Saturday, at the age of 80.
US Senator, Rhode Island Governor. He was the older brother of Inventor/Industrialist Zachariah Allen and uncle to Rhode Island Governor/Rebellion Leader Thomas Wilson Dorr. His education ranged from private tutors and the Taunton Academy to the Robert Rogers School of Newport. In 1803 he graduated from Rhode Island College, which would, in the next year be renamed Brown University following a gift from Nicholas Brown. He then entered his fathers trading business. During the War of 1812 all shipping was suspended so he took up manufacturing cotton in Smithfield RI. He married Phebe Aborn on January 4, 1814 and together would have 11 children. He was elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives in 1819 and served until 1821. Before returning to the cotton business he was appointed a pension agent and in 1827 President of the Rhode Island branch of the United States Bank. He returned to the cotton industry and in 1831 began printing calicos. He was elected to the Governorship of Rhode Island in 1851, 1852 and 1853 but only served until July 20 1853 when he was chosen to be US Senator. During his term as Governor the death penalty was abolished in Rhode Island after the murder conviction and subsequent execution of an innocent man. In the Senate he served as Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture. In 1856 the Coast Guard Cutter Philip Allen was named after him. After his term was finished he chose not to run for reelection and retired from business and public life. He died 7 years later, on a Saturday, at the age of 80.
Bio by: Matthew Fatale
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