William M. Allen, 1836-1911, Echols County

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William Allen, the eldest son of Hansford Allen and Nancy Wilkinson, was born in South Carolina on 4 Dec 1836. During his childhood, he moved with his parents to what is now Echols County, then part of Lowndes County.

William Allen was married to Rebecca Allen (no known relation), born 3 Nov 1844. She was the daughter of Abraham Allen and Rebecca Williams of Lowndes and Echols counties. The couple wed around 1860.

Their Children:

  1. Sarah C. Allen, born 29 Feb 1868, married John M. Mobley, son of Solomon and Mary Elizabeth (Mann) Mobley. Died 3 Aug 1940 in Suwannee, Georgia, and buried with her husband in McAlpin Advent Christian Cemetery in Suwannee. Reported having 15 children, of whom 14 were alive in 1900.
  2. Abram Jackson Allen, born 26 Mar 1874, married Elizabeth Padgett, daughter of Henry W. and Eliza (Perry) Padgett (born 18 Mar 1871, died 21 Dec 1948). He died 23 Jan 1944 and is buried with his wife in Boney Bluff Cemetery.
  3. Hansford D. Allen, born 14 Mar 1876, died single 15 Feb 1899. Buried in Boney Bluff Cemetery.
  4. William Allen, born 4 Jul 1878, died single 1 Sep 1916. Buried in Boney Bluff Cemetery.
  5. Henrietta Allen, born 15 Mar 1881, died single 21 May 1960. Buried in Boney Bluff Cemetery.
  6. Nancy Allen, born 16 Oct 1883, married David Homer Register on 8 Apr 1900 as his first wife. David was the son of Samuel and Sarah (Avera) Register (born 1 Dec 1878, died 2 Oct 1957). Nancy died 22 Aug 1901 and is buried in Boney Bluff Cemetery. One child.
  7. Mary Allen, born 28 Jul 1887, married David H. Register on 31 Aug 1902 as his second wife. Died 12 Jul 1957 and is buried in Boney Bluff Cemetery along with her husband.

William Allen briefly served as Notary Public and Ex-officio Justice of the Peace for the 719th militia district, receiving his commission on 2 Aug 1872. He was also a member of the Echols County Board of Commissioners from 1875 to 1877.

Both William and Rebecca Allen were originally members of Wayfare Primitive Baptist Church in Echols County. William was baptized into its membership on 31 Jan 1875, and Rebecca followed on 6 Feb 1875. They were granted letters of dismissal on 1 Mar 1879 and joined Bethel Church on 3 May 1879. Church records indicate that William was excluded from membership on 6 Feb 1897, and Rebecca on 18 Mar 1899.

During the Civil War, William Allen served in Company H of the 26th Georgia Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted in 1861 as a private and remained in service until his discharge. He also served in the Georgia militia under Capt. James W. Staten, for six months, enlisting 4 Aug 1863.

William passed away at his home in Echols County on 29 Mar 1914 and Rebecca on 5 Oct 1916. They were both laid to rest in Boney Bluff Cemetery, also known as Bethel Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. There is no military marker for his Civil War service.

William Allen, 1836-1914
Rebecca Allen, 1844-1916

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