Samuel Allen (New Hampshire governor) facts for kids
Samuel Allen (1635–1705) was an English businessman who became a governor in the American colonies. He was born in London, England. Allen is best known for his time as the governor of the Province of New Hampshire and for his efforts to claim land there.
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Samuel Allen: A Colonial Governor
Samuel Allen was a successful merchant, which means he bought and sold goods for a living. In 1691, he bought the rights to land claims in the Province of New Hampshire. These claims originally belonged to the family of John Mason, who had founded the colony.
Becoming Governor of New Hampshire
In 1692, King William III and Queen Mary II of England officially appointed Samuel Allen as the governor of New Hampshire. He served in this important role until 1699. As governor, he was in charge of the colony's government and its people.
Challenges with Land Claims
During his time as governor, Samuel Allen spent a lot of effort trying to prove his ownership of large areas of land in New Hampshire. These were the "proprietary claims" he had bought. However, his attempts to claim this land caused problems. Local landowners in the colony and even government officials in London were not happy with his actions. His efforts to secure these land claims were mostly unsuccessful.
His Legacy
Samuel Allen passed away in 1705. At the time of his death, his land claims in New Hampshire had still not been fully settled or recognized. Today, a town in New Hampshire, Allenstown, New Hampshire, is named in his honor.
