Births on January 21

Ethan Allen, American general (d. 1789)

Ethan Allen, born on January 21, 1738 (or January 10, 1737, Old Style calendar), and passing on February 12, 1789, was a figure of immense influence and complexity in early American history. His remarkable life encompassed roles as a successful farmer, shrewd businessman, pioneering land speculator, original philosopher, prolific writer, unconventional lay theologian, staunch American Revolutionary War patriot, and astute politician. Allen is perhaps most enduringly recognized as a principal founder of Vermont and for his pivotal role in the early capture of Fort Ticonderoga during the Revolutionary War. He was also the elder brother of Ira Allen, another key figure in Vermont's formation, and the father of Frances Allen.

Early Life, Education, and the Frontier Spirit

Born in Litchfield, rural Connecticut, Ethan Allen’s upbringing was steeped in the rugged realities of the American frontier. This environment undoubtedly shaped his resilient and independent character. Despite the challenging frontier conditions, Allen received an education that was surprisingly comprehensive for his time and locale, notably including exposure to philosophical teachings. This early intellectual grounding, particularly in Enlightenment thought and deistic principles, profoundly influenced his worldview and later writings, which challenged conventional religious and political dogmas.

The Genesis of the Green Mountain Boys and Land Disputes

In the late 1760s, Allen’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to the burgeoning frontier territory known as the New Hampshire Grants, an area now largely comprising Vermont. This region was a hotbed of contention, caught in a complex legal dispute over land claims between the royal governors of New Hampshire and New York. New Hampshire had originally granted land titles, but New York later asserted its jurisdiction over the territory, declaring New Hampshire's grants invalid and attempting to re-grant the land, often to speculators and influential New Yorkers. Allen, having invested significantly in these grants by purchasing land, found himself directly embroiled in these complex and often violent legal battles.

Facing escalating legal setbacks and the threat of dispossession by New York authorities and their settlers, Allen took decisive action. He galvanized and led a formidable vigilante militia known as the Green Mountain Boys. This group, composed primarily of existing settlers and landholders from the Grants, embarked on a determined campaign of intimidation and property destruction. Their objective was clear: to forcefully deter and drive out New York settlers and land surveyors, thereby protecting the land rights and autonomy of those who had settled under New Hampshire's original grants. Their tactics, while controversial, effectively established de facto control over much of the territory for the original grantees.

Revolutionary War: Fort Ticonderoga and Captivity

As tensions between Great Britain and the American colonies escalated into open conflict, Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys saw an opportune moment to leverage their organized militia for a greater cause. Seizing the initiative early in the Revolutionary War, in a daring pre-dawn raid on May 10, 1775, they captured the strategically vital Fort Ticonderoga. This fortress, located at the southern end of Lake Champlain, was weakly garrisoned but held significant stores of artillery and munitions, and controlled a crucial waterway between the colonies and Canada. The capture, famously executed "in the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress," was a bloodless victory and provided much-needed cannons that were later transported to Boston and used by George Washington to force the British evacuation.

However, Allen’s audacious exploits soon met with a significant setback. In September 1775, he led a largely unauthorized and ill-fated attempt to capture Montreal, a key British stronghold in Quebec. This poorly planned venture resulted in his swift capture by British forces. For over two years, Allen endured harsh imprisonment. He was held captive aboard Royal Navy ships, including in irons, before being transferred to various British prisons, including Pendennis Castle in England, enduring severe conditions. He was eventually paroled in New York City and finally released in a prisoner exchange in May 1778, returning to a hero's welcome in the burgeoning American states.

Post-War Political Activism and Vermont's Independence

Upon his long-awaited release, Allen immediately returned to the New Hampshire Grants. During his captivity, the territory had taken a momentous step, declaring independence from both New York and Great Britain in 1777 and forming the independent Vermont Republic (initially known as "New Connecticut"). Allen wasted no time in resuming his political activity within this nascent republic, dedicating himself to its survival and recognition. He continued to lead the resistance against New York's persistent attempts to assert control over the territory, frequently engaging in heated disputes and legal maneuvers.

A relentless advocate for Vermont, Allen lobbied the Continental Congress tirelessly for the new republic’s official state recognition, a process complicated by existing land claims and political rivalries. In a controversial and audacious move, he also engaged in secret negotiations with British authorities, notably the Haldimand Negotiations. These discussions explored the complex possibility of Vermont becoming a separate British province, a strategic gambit intended to pressure Congress into granting Vermont statehood by demonstrating the republic’s capacity for independent action and its value as a potential buffer state. While never coming to fruition, these negotiations underscore Allen’s pragmatic, often audacious, approach to securing Vermont’s future.

Literary Contributions and Business Ventures

Ethan Allen was not only a man of action but also a significant figure in early American literature. He penned several influential works, including his widely read memoir, *A Narrative of Colonel Ethan Allen's Captivity*. Published shortly after his release from imprisonment, this account became an immediate bestseller, serving as both a patriotic narrative and a powerful piece of anti-British propaganda, solidifying his image as a national hero in the 19th century.

Beyond his wartime exploits, Allen was a serious philosophical thinker. His most notable philosophical treatise, *Reason the Only Oracle of Man* (1784), presented his deistic and rationalist views, challenging orthodox Christianity and advocating for reason as the primary guide to truth. He also authored numerous documents and pamphlets critical to the political discourse surrounding Vermont’s formation, advocating for its independence and outlining its unique constitutional framework.

Allen’s business acumen was equally diverse and noteworthy. His ventures included successful farming operations that provided sustenance and income, and he was involved in one of Connecticut's earliest iron works, the Salisbury Iron Works, demonstrating an interest in industrial development. His most impactful business dealings, however, revolved around extensive land speculation in the fertile Vermont territory. Recognizing the potential for growth along the Winooski River, Ethan Allen, along with his brothers Ira and Levi, purchased significant tracts of land that would eventually become the thriving city of Burlington, Vermont, a testament to their vision for the region's development.

On a personal note, Ethan Allen was married twice and fathered a total of eight children, contributing to the demographic growth of the young American nation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ethan Allen

Who was Ethan Allen primarily known for?

Ethan Allen is primarily known as a key founder of the state of Vermont and for his leadership in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga in May 1775, an early and strategic victory in the American Revolutionary War.

What were the Green Mountain Boys?

The Green Mountain Boys were a formidable vigilante militia formed and led by Ethan Allen in the late 1760s. They were organized to protect the land rights of settlers in the New Hampshire Grants (present-day Vermont) from encroachment and legal challenges by New York authorities.

What was the significance of Fort Ticonderoga's capture?

The capture of Fort Ticonderoga was significant because it provided the Continental Army with crucial artillery, including cannons, that were later transported to Boston and helped General George Washington force the British evacuation of the city. It also secured a strategic waterway in the early stages of the war.

Did Ethan Allen write any books?

Yes, Ethan Allen was a notable writer. His most famous works include *A Narrative of Colonel Ethan Allen's Captivity*, detailing his imprisonment during the Revolutionary War, and *Reason the Only Oracle of Man*, a philosophical treatise outlining his deistic and rationalist views.

How was Ethan Allen involved in the formation of Vermont?

Ethan Allen was instrumental in the formation of Vermont. He led the Green Mountain Boys to defend the land, championed its independence as the Vermont Republic, and relentlessly lobbied the Continental Congress for its official state recognition, even engaging in controversial negotiations with the British to achieve this goal.