Early life and family Allen was born in Edenton, North Carolina. His father was Nathanial Allen (1755–1805). His mother was Fanny Coulston, an enslaved woman who was either owned by his father or had been his mistress. Upon the death of his mother, he and his brother Frances Allen William moved to Lynchburg, Virginia. In 1819, he moved to live with his sister in Chillicothe, Ohio.
Early life and family Allen was born in Edenton North Carolina His father was Nathanial Allen (1755–1805) His mother was Fanny Coulston an enslaved woman who was either owned by his father or had been his mistress Upon the death of his mother he and his brother Frances Allen William moved to Lynchburg Virginia In 1819 he moved to live with his sister in Chillicothe Ohio