Tristram ALLEN

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At the time he was in London the method of procuring recruits for military service by means of the press gang was in vogue, and he was warned to be on his guard. As he was walking along the wharf one day, an officer approached him and asked him to what ship he belonged. he replied he did not belong to any ship, when the officer invited him to bear him company. He saw in a moment that he was in a trap, but his quick wit saved him. Observing a brig nearby in the stream and that te sailors were aloft at work, he called out "Brig ahoy! when you get that topmast in end and fudded, send a boat for me." "Why," days the British officer," I thought you said you were not the master of a ship." "Well,' says our Yankee," don't you see it is a brig, not a ship?" the officer accepted the explanation as a pleasant joke and left young Tristram master of the situation.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Son of Edward Allen and Ann Coleman

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In a deed dated May 7, 1738, Edward and Ann Allen gave their son, Ebenezer, one-half their dwelling house, barn, and other buildings, with the half of the house lot on which they lived, also so much right in the commons as would keep 59 1/2 sheep, with the house lot meadow, also a fourth part of the stock and other property. (See Nantucket Book of Deeds, vol. 4, p.178)

The tradition is preserved in the family that Edmund Heath, the father of Ebenezer's wife, belonged to a title and wealthy family in England, and being the youngest, was sent to this country in charge of Capt. Richard Coffin; in the same vessel was Catherine Sylvan, a pretty French girl whom the captain had found in France, and hired as a servant. The acquaintance thus formed on shipboard between the young people ripened into love and in due time after landing at Nantucket they were married. Many years afterward a letter was received by the family asking for heirs to the Heath estate in England, but the matter was never followed up, so the family never profited by the information, and doubtless lost a large property.

Ebenezer married Christian HEATH on 15 Aug 1740 in Nantucket, Nantucket County, Massachusetts. Christian was born on 05 Aug 1724 in Nantucket, Nantucket County, Massachusetts; died on 29 Aug 1773 in Nantucket, Nantucket County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Daughter of Edmund Heath and Catherine Sylvan