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Penn in the 18th Century

John Allen (died 1778)

• Class of 1759
• Trustee 1769-1778
• Treasurer of the Board of Trustees 1769

Son of Chief-Justice William Allen

Lawyer and public official

Opposed independence

 

John Allen, a son of Chief-Justice William Allen, was born and died in Philadelphia. After attending the Philadelphia Academy and College (now the University of Pennsylvania), John Allen finished his legal studies at the Temple in London. He was elected a Member of the American Philosophic Society in 1768. At the beginning of the Revolution he was a Common Councilman in Philadelphia.

When he opposed independence, he was summoned to a trial for high treason by Act of the Pennsylvania Assembly. In December 1776, Allen put himself under the protection of British General Howe.

Allen was a trustee of the College of Philadelphia from 1769 until his 1778 death in Philadelphia. He served as treasurer of the board in 1769.

REFERENCES
Lost Alumni, Matriculates, Alumni Record , student lecture notes of Andrew, James and John Allen #1642

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