The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-06-27

~ oOdihoi, u SN~N~H -
Jonathan Adams Allen nj. D.; also at the
last meeting ofthr Middlebury Historical
Society, the same duty was assigned &c
me.
One Of the objects in view in preparing
a biography of Dr. ]. A. Allen, is TO pay a
due respect to the memory ola good man
a persevering student, a skilful physician
and true christian; another. to lay be,
fore the younger members OF the Medical
profession, and young men generally, a
good example of enduring patience under
suffering, of unwearied perseverance un>
der difficulties, and of ultimate success in
the attainment of the end sought.
Jonathan Adams Allen was of poor but
respectable parentage. IIewas born Nov.
Eth, I7S?, in Holliston, Mass. His faith
err was Amos Allen, son Of Seth Allen of
Hollisten, whose father immigrated to this
country from Wales. His mother was the
daughter of Abel Smith of Holliston, and
grand daughter of Jonathan Adams of
Midway Mass. This Jonathan Adams
was born about the year 100. His
mother was killed by the Indians when
they burned the town. They seized this
little fellow by the feet and dashed his
head against a stone, then left him as they
supposed dead upon the ground. On the
next day, however he was discovered "a
live. He was afterwards a member of the
first Colonial Congress held at Salem, and
4 captain in the first army raised in Mas
sachusetis. He died at the advanced age
of over one hundred years.
Through this same Jonathan Adams,
Dr. Aliens gencalogy may be traced to
the same origin as that of the two illusirl-
ous Presidcnis-Jnhn Adams and John
Quincy Adams-the latter of whom has
so lately departed from the councils ofthe
Nation, loaded with the honors Of his
countrymen and embamed in the memo
~ of the living.
DR.. Allen received the name Of Jona-
than Adams at the request Of his great
grand father, who promised his parents,
III consideration thereof, TO give him a
sheep. His parents emmigrating, how
ever, to the then wilderness of Vermont, a
Ratchet was thought more serviceabe and
appropriate 10 his future condition.
lie remained with his father in New
fame VT, laboring most of the time upon
the farm until he WAS twenty>one years OF
age. 1t is supposed that he received du-
ring this time good common school edu-
cation, though it IS said that his father
never purchased for him but two books
Il primer and Webs,ers spelling book
al his ether books were purchased from
his cwn means obtained by the trapping
of Minks and Muskrats and selling their
furs.
On the morning o. his twenty>frst
birth>day-Nov. Eth, 1908, with few
cloths tieI up in his pocket handkerchief
he left his fathers house to seek his for
tune in the world Ii is with interest that
we contemplate this period OF his life
Nothing very peculiarly striking had
I marked the few and heeting years of his
minority, save i; be the fact that he loved
knowledge and was willing to make great
er sacrifices Of personal comfort and ease
to obtain it, than young men usually are
Who now would predict his future course
and IFS noble results from the scanty da>
ia of the past Some random seeds o.
knowledge, however, had been sown and
had fallen into the good ground of an hon
est heart.
One of the first acts of Dr. Allen, after
reaching his place of destination, reveal:
To the accustomed observer of Gods prov.
idence, which never discards Means, the
uucloude future ofscientiGc attainment&
professional aggrandizement. He camC
to the West Village Of Townshend in thi:
state, and having entered upon the duties
and drudgery of school teacher, lie i'm
mediately made arrane ements with the
Minister Of the place TO be instructed il
Latin. Evening after evening, even wher
wearied by the severe duties of the day
by the glazing and varying light Of an old
fashioned fireplace, undisturbed by tn
noise of numerous children, the subject O
this memoir might be seen plying, wit
| unwearied carnestness, all his powers il
the acquisition of that knowledge which
was to be the basis of his future attain
ments.
/ He continued thus to teach and to stud,
for several years. He, however, al length
entered upon course OF study preparato
;; ry to the practice of medicine, under tn
instruction Of Paul " heeler, NJ D., o
marlborough VT. He attended Medica
lectures at Dartmouth College at the tim,
e when the celebrated DIR. Nathan SmiiI
was at the head Of that School From
! this eminent physician and surgeon, h
seems TO have imbibed many of thos
/ traits of character, which so highly dis
unguished that great man.
He received his degree of Doctor o
C Medicine at that College, August gath
:, 1914, having attended the prescribe
d courses of lectures and passed satisfactor
y examinations. He Immediately enter
upon the active duties of his profession
in company with his former preceptor il
the Village of marlborough. This co
= partnership existed two years. when. b
. earnest solicitation he removed to Brattle