Ethan Allen
Ethan Allen was a patriot of the American Revolution, leader of the Green Mountain Boys and champion of statehood for Vermont. He was born on January 21, 1738 in Litchfield, Connecticut. He has been described as a tall and strong man with unbound loyalty. His parents were Joseph and Mary Baker Allen and he had eight brothers and two sisters. He came from a very religious family and was raised in the wilderness. His father, seeing Ethan's love of books and intelligence, sent him to Yale.
When was broke out between England and France, Allen's brothers took over the farm. He joined the military in 1757 to defend Fort William Henry against the French. After the war was over, Allen went into the business of making kettles and married Mary Brownson. He moved to the New Hampshire Grants in 1769 and was named Colonel Commandant of the Green Mountain Boys. When rumors of a revolution spread, Allen fully supported the movement. He led the force that took Fort Ticonderoga on May 10, 1775. After that he was elected out of command of the Green Mountain Boys.
He served in Canada against Montgomery's army. During an early attack on Montreal on September 25, 1775, Allen was captured. He was identified as a captor of Fort Ticonderoga, clamped in irons and sent to England. Government voted against hanging him, fearful of the colonies reaction, and returned him to America. He was then paroled in New York City and with the financial help from his brother, lived quite comfortably. Later Allen was sent to prison for parole violation.
After being exchanged for a British prisoner, Allen was sent to Valley Forge as a guest of George Washington in May of 1778. On May 14, 1778 he was given the position of Colonel for loyalty, courage and strength. For the rest of his life, Allen made it his personal goal to have Vermont instituted as a state. He was a hero to the people of Vermont for his persistence and patience. Ethan Allen died February 12, 1789. Two years later Vermont was named the 14th state.
