Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 3rd ed., 1886. Barren County. JOHN ALLEN was born January 24, 1830, on the place where he now resides, in Barren County, Ky. In 1850 he journeyed overland to California, where he was successfully engaged in gold mining, and after three years he returned via the isthmus and New York to Kentucky, where he has since retained his residence. His father, William Allen, also a native of Barren County, was born in 1802, and died November 11, 1845. His father, John Allen, a Virginian, was living in Barren County in 1800; he was a soldier in the war of 1812; was a farmer, miller and hotel keeper, who died about 1830. William married Adeline, daughter of Jacob and Miriam (Helm) Wright, of Barren County. She was born in 1807 and died 1882, and their union was favored by the birth of Ann (Button), Elizabeth (Barrick), John, Uberto, Rev. William, Frances (Hays and South), Joel P., Mary L. (Barrick and Bettersworth), Adeline (Griffin and Wainscott), Fielding M. and Columbia C. (Stubbs) and Calpernia A. (Mays), twins. John Allen first married, July 6, 1854, Melvina, daughter of Capt. John and Rebecca (Wright) Huffman, of Barren County. She was born 1837, died April 6, 1874, the mother of the following children: Marmaduke B. (deceased), John W., George B., Yancey K., Carlos, James G., Ann E., and Aeline A. December 16, 1874, Mr. Allen married Mary J., daughter of Osborn and Kittie A. (Martin) Medors, of Barren County. She was born May 25, 1856, and their union has been blessed by the birth of Melvina T. and Henrietta. Mr. Allen is a farmer, and owns 1,000 acres of land, much of which is well improved and cultivated. He lost five slaves as a result of the late war. He is a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and in politics he is identified with the Democratic party. Allen Wright Helm Button Barrick Hays South Bettersworth Griffin Wainscott Stubbs Mays Huffman Martin Medors = CA, VA http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/barren/allen.j.txt