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ALLEN, Jefferys (?1760-1844), of Bridgwater and Stocklinch Manor, Som.
Available from Boydell and Brewer
Biography Detail
Related Resources
Constituency
Dates
Family and Education
b. ?1760, 1st s. of Benjamin Allen† of Bridgwater by his w. Ann, née Jefferys of Stocklinch. educ. Pembroke, Camb. 20 Nov. 1778, aged 18; M. Temple 1781, called 1788. m. Susan, da. of Philip Burlton of Bridgwater, 4s. suc. fa. 1791.
Offices Held
Receiver-gen. land tax, Som. 1804; mayor, Bridgwater 1805, recorder 1819-41.
Capt. Bridgwater vols. 1794, maj. commdt. 1798, lt.-col. commdt. 1803, 1808.
Biography
Allen inherited his father’s interest at Bridgwater, as well as property in the vicinity from the great-aunt (Mary Jefferys) whose name he bore.1 Not wishing to continue his father’s fight with the Poulett interest in the borough, he used Pitt as intermediary to secure his return unopposed in 1796.2 He adhered to Pitt and, although he at first supported Addington’s administration, he voted for Pitt’s motion for inquiry into naval strength, 15 Mar. 1804. Soon after Pitt’s return to power, Allen on 7 June 1804 warned him of the imminent death of one of the receivers-general for Somerset, to which post he was appointed and vacated his seat.3 No speech is reported, but he provoked a division of the House on 15 Dec. 1796 when his application for leave of absence on private business was contested. It was decided in his favour. He died 23 Aug. 1844, aged 84.
