Andrew A. Allen
Andrew Allen, his personal and family background, and his alleged involvement in the Mountain Meadows Massacre
Andrew Augustus Allen
1836-1907
Biographical Sketch
[The main source linking Andrew Augustus Allen to the massacre is the 1859 arrest warrant which listed Ira Allen "and son." In Massacre at Mountain Meadows, Walker, et al, do not mention Andrew Allan in Appendix C, their detailed list of the involved militiamen. No other source mentions Andrew Allen. He probably was not present at the massacre.]
Early Life
Andrew Augustus Allen, the son of Ira Allen and Calista Bass, was born in 1836 in Woodstock, Windham County, Connecticut. He accompanied his familly to Michigan where, evidently, they heard the Mormon message.
Journey to Utah
In 1845, the Allen family joined the Mormon settlers in western Illinois and, following the difficulties there, they later immigrated to Utah Territory. In the early 1850s, the Allen family lent their aid to the newly-founded Iron Mission headquartered in Cedar City in southern Utah. In 1857, 21-year-old Andrew Allen married Sarah Ann Cartwright, the daughter of Thomas Cartwright (a massacre participant) and Sarah Yates). The Cartwrights were emigrants from Lancashire, England.
In the Iron Military District: Sergeant Andrew Allen, Company E, in Isaac Haight's 2nd Battalion
By summer 1857, Andrew Allen was a sergeant in one of the platoons in Company E, Captain Elias Morris's company in Major Isaac Haight's 2nd Battalion. While there is no doubt that his father Ira Allen played a well-documented role in the massacre, there is considerable doubt about Andrew's involvement. The 1859 arrest warranty named, among others, Ira Allen "and son". Yet none of the other sources identify Andrew as a participant. If he was involved, nothing is known of his role.
Later Life
The dual disasters of the massacre and the failure of the iron works caused many to abandon Cedar City in 1858-59 for other parts. Among them was the Allen family. They moved to Cache County in northern Utah and helped found the settlement of Hyrum.
The Allen family reminded in Cache County for the next decades. Allen had five children with his first wife, Sarah Ann. In 1887, he married Rebecca Christine Nielsen, the daughter of Danish emigrants. She bore him seven more children. Allen held various civic and church positions in Hyrum. He died in 1907 in Hyrum, survived by his second wife and his children.
References
Esshom, Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, 714; New.familysearch.org; and Walker, et al, Massacre at Mountain Meadows, Appendix C.
Further information and confirmation needed. Please comment or contact 1857_militia@roadrunner.com.
