Robert B. Allen spelled his middle name "Batey," although it is very likely that the name was properly spelled "Beattie." Robert's father, Thomas Allen, was an associate of the first clerk of court of Smyth County, Robert Beattie, and bought land from him. Also, one of Robert B. Allen's grandchildren was given the same middle name and the grandson spelled the name "Beattie." Robert B. Allen was a farmer, a blacksmith, and the collector of tolls for the bridge located near the Allen home place on the eastern edge of Marion. According to the receipt book maintained by R.B. Allen, he was the receiver of tolls at least from 1854-70.

It is known that Robert B. Allen's parents were Thomas and Elizabeth Allen. Thomas' parentage is unconfirmed. He died intestate in Smyth County, Virginia, on 1 Feb 1843 prior to birth and death records having been kept by the state. According to the Allen family Bible (dated 1854), which belonged to Robert B. Allen, Thomas Allen and Elizabeth Crow were married on 21 January 1821. No marriage record for Thomas and Elizabeth has been found so far in any area courthouse, however. Elizabeth had first been married to John Mackey Crow, who died about 1815. By him, she had two children: Jane Crow and John Harvey Crow. Based on guardianship papers filed in Washington County, Virginia, Thomas Allen was appointed guardian of Jane and John Crow. Based on a newspaper notice related to a law suit filed in Smyth County in the 1830s by Thomas and Elizabeth Allen, Elizabeth was the daughter of John Snider. 

Thomas is believed to have been the son of Samuel Allen and Fannie Rice, who were married in Granville County, North Carolina. They had two children, Thomas, born in 1798, and Elizabeth, born in 1799. This is, currently, a theory only, although the available evidence strongly supports the supposition. The 1850 Federal Census shows that an Elizabeth Allen, aged 57, was living with Thomas' oldest son, Samuel G. Allen. In the same census, an Elizabeth Allen, aged 50, was living with Thomas' son, Robert B. Allen. These Elizabeths may be, respectively, Elizabeth (Snider) (Crow) Allen and Elizabeth Allen, the younger sister of Thomas Allen. After Samuel Allen's death, with two children to care for, Fannie Allen married John Earl in North Carolina (1807) and relocated to Washington County, Virginia in Southwest Virginia. The 1850 Census shows John and Fannie Earl living in Smyth County with Fannie's sister, Sally Rice. The birthplaces of all three is listed as North Carolina. John and Fannie had their own offspring, as well. 

Thomas Allen is listed as "Maj. Thomas Allen" in the 1838 Smyth County tax list, although no information has yet been uncovered explaining the rank of major associated with his name. 

Thomas and Elizabeth had the following children: (Click here to see a court document that identifies all but one of these children.)

  1. Samuel Green Allen, born 16 August 1821, married Sophronia F. Anderson in Ashe County, North Carolina on 29 August 1843. Samuel was listed in the 1850 Census as being a stage driver. He was committed "as a lunatic" to the Smyth County Jail, according to one court document, and died on 23 December 1856 (Allen Bible record) leaving no offspring. Samuel G. Allen's place of burial is unknown.

  2. Mary Ann McAllister Allen, born 28 April 1824, married George Washington Cullop in Smyth County, Virginia and relocated to Tarrant County, Texas.

  3. Robert Beattie Allen, born 16 July 1827, married Paulina Jane Killinger in Smyth County, Virginia on 10 May 1849. Robert died on 28 September 1896 and was buried in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery outside Marion, Virginia. Paulina died on 7 February 1903 and was buried beside her husband. Robert and Paulina had the following children: (To see photos of many of these children, click here.)

    1. William Jackson Allen (1850-1893) married Lillie B. Killinger, daughter of William Killinger and Sarah J. Fulcher. No children. She remarried, on 28 January 1895, Stephen H. Rogers.

    2. James Thomas Allen (1852-1920) married Alice Belle Bocock, daughter of William M. and Virginia E. Bocock. Six children.

    3. Michael Albert Allen (1854-1944) married Victoria Elvina A. Bonham, daughter of James Harvey Bonham and Martha Louisa Peters. Ten children.

    4. Susannah Elizabeth Allen (1855-1935) married Peter Snavely Groseclose, son of Peter Groseclose. Eleven children.

    5. Mary Margaret S. Allen (1859-1941), never married. Lived with her parents and then her brother, Ferd, until her death.

    6. Samuel Floyd Allen (1862-1939) married (1) Katie Malinda Monroe and (2) Mary Ida Currin, daughter of William and Amanda C. Currin. Two children.

    7. Ferdinand Johnston Allen (1864-1945) married Laura Lou Copenhaver. Three children.

    8. Eliza Jane "Doll" Allen (1866-1915) married Victor Shields Charlton, son of W.C. and Mary L. Charlton. Five children. He remarried, to Mamie L. Wynn, in 1919.

  4. William Townsend Allen, born 23 March 1829, died 28 October 1832. Buried in Royal Oak Cemetery, Marion, Virginia.

Elizabeth Snider and John Mackey Crow had the following children:

  1. John Harvey Crow, born 22 December 1812. 

  2. Jane Crow, born 2 July 1814, married Robert Thompson 21 January 1836 in Smyth County, Virginia. (Children's names and estimated years of birth below taken from the 1860 Smyth County Census.)

  1. William H. Thompson born about 1838.

  2. James C. Thompson born about 1840, was married to Mary Umbarger on 17 February 1867 in Smyth County, Virginia.

  3. Sepla C. Thompson born about 1845.

  4. Eliza Ann Thompson born about 1847.

  5. John M.W. Thompson born about 1848, was married to Maria Dutton on 24 November 1867 in Smyth County, Virginia.

  6. Samuel A. Thompson born about 1850.

  7. Mary F. Thompson born about 1852.

  8. Louisa J. Thompson born about 1855.

  9. Lucy E. Thompson born about 1860.

To view excerpts from Allen Family Bible records, click on the appropriate link below:

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