Ethan Allen

Ethan Allen (January 21, 1738 – February 12, 1789) was an American militia leader and folk hero born in Litchfield, Connecticut, who became a legendary figure in Vermont history and the American Revolutionary War. After moving to the New Hampshire Grants (present-day Vermont) in 1764, Allen became involved in disputes over land ownership between New York and New Hampshire. To protect settlers' interests, he organized the Green Mountain Boys, a militia group that used various tactics, including intimidation and violence, to prevent New York authorities from enforcing their claims to the territory. Allen's actions were controversial; while settlers viewed him as a defender of their rights, New York authorities considered him a lawbreaker and rebel. When the American Revolution began, Allen and the Green Mountain Boys became valuable military assets, fighting against British forces and their Native American allies. Allen was captured by the British in 1775 and spent several years as a prisoner of war under harsh conditions. After his release, he returned to Vermont and continued to advocate for Vermont's independence, serving in various political roles. Allen is also remembered for his religious and philosophical writings, which reflected an unconventional, deistic approach to religion that was controversial for his time. He died in 1789, before Vermont formally joined the United States in 1791. Allen's legacy as a defender of frontier liberty and independence has made him a folk hero in American history, embodying the spirit of resistance to governmental authority and the pioneer spirit of the American frontier.