• Born 23 Jan 1822 Somerset, England
  • Baptised 24 Jan 1822, Shepton Mallet, Somerset
  • Occupation
  • Died October 1901
  • Buried Dowling Forest Cemetery, 19 October 1901

Mary Henrietta ALLEN

Mary’s parents William and Eliza Allen were living at Market Place, Shepton Mallet, Somerset where she was born. Her father described his occupation as a grocer on her birth certificate in 1822.

She married Charles Allen on 14 June 1854 at Milton Clevedon, Somerset. The marriage Banns, dated 12 June 1854, state that Charles is a Yeoman, 21 years of age. The young couple emigrated two years later in 1856 on the Fairlee with their daughter, Mary, aged one year.

Her husband, Charles Allen, was born and baptised around 19 August 1827 at Evercreech, his parents being Joseph Allen (1800-1859) and Harriet Miles (1803-). In 1836 Joseph Allen’s family was living at Stoney Stratton, Somerset, Joseph being a farmer tenant to John Newman. By 1839 he was described as a Yeoman tenant. Children included Eliza (1825-1902 USA), Charles (1827-1868 Aus.), Ellen (1830-), James (1833-1834), Anna (1836-), Emma (1837-1868), Joseph (1839-1903 USA), James Albert (1841-1917 Carngham, Vic, Aus.), John Miles (1843-1865 NZ) and Walter Constantine (1847-). Many of the Allen children emigrated to the goldfields of Victoria, Australia, or USA and New Zealand.

Mary Henrietta and Charles Allen maintained 70 acres situated in the district of Learmonth, near Ballarat. They owned Clydesdale horse teams that competed in ploughing competitions. The Star, 14 June 1861, described the CLASS A Horse Teams for the Ballarat Agricultural Show, the second prize being awarded to Charles Allen as owner. “Second prize of £6 was awarded to John M’Kerrow, ploughman; Charles Allen, owner; and maker of plough, Tynan, Ballarat.” The extra prize of a plough, given by Mr A. C. Kerr, was awarded to John M’Kerrow as being the best ploughman, who carried off No. 2 prize also.

Clyde, the renowned Clydesdale of Charles and Henrietta Allen was advertised on 10 October 1862 as a stud horse, a “real Dapple Brown, five years old”, who had “proved himself a sure foal getter”. Bad fortune struck when Charles died in 1868 and was subsequently buried in the Dowling Forest Cemetery.

A few years after his demise the farm was rented out and on 5 April 1870 in the Learmonth Court the case of John Dyke v Mary Henrietta Allen was heard. Dyke wanted to recover 3.6.0 for use and occupation of the land, but the case was postponed week. There was also a second complaint to recover 4.1.6 for board &c supplied to a Miss Knight. A week later the case was heard. On 12 April 1870 Learmonth – Dyke v Mary Henrietta Allen, £3 6s Bd, use and occupation; the defendant did not appear but an order was made for the amount and costs. Another case, Same v same, £1 1s 6d, board, &c., supplied to a Miss Knight was withdrawn.

Mary was associated with the Old Colonists’ Association when she was living at 81 Doveton Street. She passed away aged 78 years in 1901 and was buried at the Dowling Forest cemetery with her husband.

5. M. H. Allen78.707.26

Death Notice

The Ballarat Star 19 Oct 1901 ALLEN The friends of the late Mrs Mary Henrietta Allen, relict of the late Charles Allan, are informed that her remains will be interred in the Dowling Forest Cemetery. The funeral cortege will move from her late residence, No. 81 Doveton Street, this day (Saturday, 19th inst.), after the service is held, at 10 o’clock precisely. CHARLES MORRIS, Undertaker and Embalmer, Grenville street (near Alfred Hall), 186 Sturt street (near City Fire Brigade), 3 and 5 Mair street. Telephone 270. OLD COLONISTS’ ASSOCIATION Members are requested to meet at 81 Doveton street north This Day (Saturday), at 10 o’clock a.m., to follow the remains of our late member, MARY H. ALLEN, to the Learmonth Cemetery. Rosettes to be worn craped. J. W. GRAHAM, Secretary. KINGSBURY AND CO. Are prepared to SUPPLY FLORAL MOURNING ORDERS At Shortest Notice. 28 ARMSTRONG STREET NORTH BALLARAT