Ethan Allen
Ethan Allen
January 21, 1738 (1738-01-21) [O.S. January 10,
1737] – February 12, 1789 (1789-02-13)
(aged 51)
An engraving depicting Ethan Allen demanding
the surrender of Fort Ticonderoga
Place of
birth
Litchfield, Connecticut
Place of
death
Burlington, Vermont
Allegiance
United Kingdom
United States
Republic of Vermont
Service/
branch
Continental Army
Years of
service
1757 Connecticut militia
1770–1775 Green Mountain
Boys
1778–1781 Continental Army
1779–1789 Republic of Vermont
militia
Rank
Major General (Republic of
Vermont militia)
Colonel (Continental Army)
Commands
held
Green Mountain Boys
Fort Ticonderoga
Battles/
wars
American Revolutionary War
• Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
• Battle of Longue-Pointe
(Montreal)
Other work
farmer, politician, land
speculator
Ethan Allen (January 21, 1738 [O.S. January
10, 1737] [1] – February 12, 1789) was a farm-
er, businessman, land speculator, philosoph-
er, writer, and American Revolutionary War
patriot, hero, and politician.
He was an early American revolutionary
and guerrilla leader who, before the war,
fought against the Province of New York’s at-
tempts to take control of the New Hampshire
Grants. He is probably most widely known for
his participation in the May 10, 1775 capture
of Fort Ticonderoga, and for later political
and military activities leading first to the
formation of the Republic of Vermont and
then to Vermont’s statehood.
In addition to his military and political
activities, he wrote accounts of his exploits in
the war that were widely read in the 19th
century, as well as philosophical treatises
and documents relating to the politics of Ver-
mont’s formation. His business dealings in-
cluded successful farming operations, one of
Connecticut’s early iron works, and land
speculation in the Vermont territory. He was
twice married, fathering eight children.
Early life
A postcard depicting Allen’s birthplace in
Litchfield, Connecticut
Childhood
Ethan Allen was born in Litchfield, Connecti-
cut, the first-born child of Joseph and Mary
Baker Allen