Allen, Ethan (1)

Allen, Ethan (1), an American general and infidel, was born at Roxbury, Conn., in 1739. He first became conspicuous in resisting the laws of New York in behalf of those who held land grants under New Hampshire. He led the attack against Ticonderoga in 1775, and did other valiant service in the American cause during the Revolution; and died in 1789. He published a number of controversial pamphlets: — a Narrative of his observations during his captivity from 1775 to 1778: — and Allen's Theology; or, The Oracle of Reason (1786). The object of this last work was to ridicule the doctrine of Moses and the prophets. Allen had some very absurd notions as to the future state of man; e.g. that man would, after death, transmigrate into beasts, birds, etc.; and that he himself would live again in the form of a large white horse. See Allen, Amer. Biog. Dict. s.v. Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v.