Allen was a member of Stephen F. Austin’s original 300 colonists, coming to Texas in 1822 and setting up a homestead on the Colorado River. He returned to the US to get his family and returned to Texas in 1826. He worked as a road supervisor and later operated a ferry across Buffalo Bayou. He also served in the ayuntamiento for San Felipe de Austin. He died in 1837 at his home in Austin County.
