James Allen (also known as George Walton, Jonas Pierce, James H. York, Burley Grove, etc.) was a Massachusetts resident and highwayman in the early 19th century.[1]
After a prolonged life of banditry, Allen was eventually imprisoned in the Massachusetts State Prison. He died in prison, and is remembered for delivering a death-bed confession to his warden that was published in an edition bound in the author's skin. The lone copy of Narrative of the Life of James Allen, alias Jonas Pierce, alias James H. York, alias Burley Grove, the Highwayman, Being His Death-bed Confession to the Warden of the Massachusetts State Prison, remains in the Boston Athenaeum.