William Elbert Allen (known by his middle name of "Elbert") was one of eight children born to Robert & Lydia Burch Allen, who were married in Rabun Co, GA in 1829. His exact date (& county) of birth varies according to source. For this memorial, the dob inscribed on his tombstone is used.

Elbert's paternal grandparents were William Allen-Sr. & Nancy Allen of Rabun Co; maternal grandparents were Jarrett Orson Burch & Emelia "Millie" Pinson Burch, who are buried in Towns Co, GA (FAG memorials 15769956 & 15769976, respectively).

By 1832, Georgia had created Cherokee County (which encompassed all the old Cherokee Indian Nation) along a line running diagonally southwest from Rabun/Habersham Counties to Coweta/Troup Counties near the Alabama state line. Georgia then immediately divided the newly-created Cherokee County into NINE separate counties. A special census was conducted in these new counties in 1834; the only information included was name of the head of the family and the total number of people in the household. The special 1834 census for Gilmer County listed William Allen, with 2 people. This is believed to have been William Allen-Jr and one of his brothers.

Listed in 1840 census of Gilmer Co are:
HH #178 William Allen (this was William Allen-Jr.; ages suggest there may have been a second couple living with William, his wife & 1 child). Later census data indicates that William Allen-Jr. lived in the Cherry Log District.
Identified as living in the Boardtown District were:
HH #196 Riley Allen (w/wife & 3 children). This family not found in 1850 census.
HH #197 *Robert Allen (w/wife & 6 children under age 10)
HH #198 Nancy Allen, age 50-60, w/2 sons age 15-20 [b 1820-1825]). These two sons have been identified; both married in 1840s. One of them died before 1850; the other one, although not listed in 1850 census, died before 1860. Nancy Allen is also not listed in 1850 census.)

*By 1850, both Robert Allen & his wife, Lydia, had died. No legible tombstones have been found for them. Two additional sons were born before 1850 (1 in 1841; 1 in 1845). The Allen children were in 1850 census of Union Co, GA with their maternal grandparents (HH #919), although one Allen son is living with one of Lydia's brother rather than her parents. Note that the Jarrett Burch family was placed in Towns Co, GA when it was created in 1856. Descendants of Jarrett & Millie Pinson Burch have done a fantastic job with their family tree - which includes the children (& later descendants) of Robert & Lydia Burch Allen.

William Elbert Allen was married twice:
#1 Elizabeth Lloyd (married ca 1857); they had four children, youngest born ca 1866. All are linked to their parents.
#2 Margaret Elizabeth Gibson (married ca 1868); they had thirteen children. Of these 13 children, only two are not linked to their parents:
3. Willie Allen (female), b 1873; mrd William V. Wilson. One source of info said Willie died in 1974, but no verification has been found.
7. Laura Allen, b 1879; mrd Jim Dooley
Any information regarding these two children would be greatly appreciated.

(Click on memorial for Elizabeth Lloyd Allen; it includes info about where Elbert Allen lived.)

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Georgia Death Certificate
Name: William E. Allen
Death Date: 22 Jan 1920
County of Death: Wilkes
Certificate: 6719

Georgia Death Index
Name: Wm Elbert Allen
Birth Date: 9 Feb 1832
Birth Place: White County, Georgia
Death Date: 22 Jan 1920
Death Place: Wilkes
Death Age: 87
Race: White
Ethnicity: American
Gender: Male
FHL Film Number: 2295286
NOTE: Although the Georgia Death Index indicates he was born in White Co, GA, that is incorrect. White Co, GA did NOT EXIST until 1857. Elbert was born in either Rabun Co or Gilmer Co; dob on his tombstone suggests Rabun Co.
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Sincere thanks to EVERYONE who has helped find & get this family linked together!

The only sibling of William Elbert Allen that we have found on findagrave is: Memorial 60229946 Thompson Henson "Thomps" Allen