Henry Allen was born in Upton, Hampshire, England in 1815 and died on the October 21st 1893 at Amberley, Stroud, England.
Henry Allen came to Gloucester from Stroud with the late Alderman Joseph Reynolds in 1860, to begin operating the City Flour Mills. The Gloucester City Flour Mills had been operated by Joseph and Jonah Hadley since 1850. Henry Allen and Joseph Reynolds passed on the business in 1875 to their sons, John Allen and Vincent Reynolds, in partnership with Francis Tring Pearce. Henry Allen retired from the mills in about 1878 and the firm was later became Priday, Metford and Company Limited. His daughter Martha Allen married Francis Tring Pearce, thus affirming the family nature of the business.
Henry Allen represented the West Ward on the Gloucester City Council for the Liberals and was elected Mayor in 1873. The was the last Chief Magistrate of Gloucester before the important extension of the city boundaries. He was a prominent member of the Wesleyan Connexion, a trustee of the Northgate Wesleyan Chapel and one of the chief promoters and subscribers to the erection of the new chapel in Northgate street. He was a steadfast supporter of the Temperance movement and was a justice of the peace for many years.
He lived his last days with his daughter and son in law at Lorraine House, Gloucester. His brother Reverend William Allen conducted his funeral service.
Henry Allen married three times. His third wife was Mary Ann Charlotte Richardson (1845–1872). Mary Ann was the daughter of John Richardson (died 1846), who was the son of John Richardson (died 1788) and Elizabeth Pitt, who was the daughter of Dr Charles Pitt.
He lived at Elm Villa, London Road, Gloucester and around the time of his death at Lorraine House, Gloucester.
Their granddaughters included Margaret Winifred Pearce.
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Henry Allen owned a number of notable properties around the city of Gloucester. He lived with his family in the Old customs house.
In December 1988 The Citizen newspaper in Gloucester included a reference to Henry Allen. This was included in its "200 Years Ago" section. This states "200 Years Ago: TO LET. The Roundhouse is at length quite free by introduction of a splendid new quay on the side of the noble river Severn, which will, now that the quay is completed, offer some first rate navigation. Apply Henry Allen, Quay, Gloucester"[1]
Lorraine House at 45 Park Road, Gloucester, was owned and lived in by Henry Allen's daughter Martha Pearce and husband Francis Tring Pearce.
The information above has come from the Gloucester Journal. The issue of Saturday Nov 15th 1873 describes his inauguration as Mayor of Gloucester and the issue of Saturday October 28, 1893 contains his obituary.