[From Chapter 1 Manx Worthies, A.W.Moore, 1901]

THE ALLENS.

THOMAS ALLEN, the first member of this family to come to the island, was a clergyman who fled from Norwich during the Marian persecution, and settled at Castletown. He is said to have been the first Protestant minister here. His son, THOMAS, was government chaplain as late as 1622, and his great grandson, also THOMAS (b. 1625, d. 1660), was the first of five Allens who held the Vicarage of Maughold in succession. Then came Thomas's son, ROBERT, from 1660 to 1666. Robert's son THOMAS (b 1673, d. 1756), was vicar for sixty years. Bishop Wilson cautions him in his glory as " having been a diligent pastor, of a serious, grave, sober behaviour," and. in his funeral sermon, which he (the bishop) preached. he says: " This good man's life' as a Christian, has been unblameable, as a pastor for three score years, laborious and exemplary; always s resident upon his cure, always content with his position."

In the following year his son, Henry, (b. 1677, d. 1716), who had been Vicar of Lezayre., was appointed to succeed him. His son THOMAS (b. 1709, d. 1754), the last of the family who held an ecclesiastical appointment in the island, had been Curate of Andreas since 1739, and was appointed to Maughold on the death of his father. He was the author of two of the best " Carvals " in the Manx language. Henry's brother, JOHN, was Vicar of Michael, in 1734, but died in the following year.

FPC - It appears very strange to me that a 'protestant' minister should escape Catholic inspired persecution by moving to the Stanley controlled Island when the Stanley's were at this time well known Catholic sympathisers (and in many respects the Reformation in the Island proceeded very slowly) - Joyce Oates suggests that it was his grandson who was the first protestant minister - See Allen's in Old Manx Families corrections etc.