Editing William Allen (governor) (section)

==Early life and family==
Allen was born in [[Edenton, North Carolina]]. His father was [https://ncpedia.org/biography/allen-nathaniel Nathanial Allen (1755–1805)]. His mother was Fanny Coulston, an enslaved woman who was either owned by his father or had been his mistress. Upon the death of his mother, he and his brother Frances Allen William moved to [[Lynchburg, Virginia]]. In 1819, he moved to live with his sister in [[Chillicothe, Ohio]].

His father made the following arrangements in his will.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1903559:9061 | title= Join Ancestry®| website=[[Ancestry.com]] }}</ref> 
"I give and devise that part of lot # 5 in the new plan of the town of Edenton joining the lots wheron I now dwell and as far as the same is at present under fence with all the improvements thereon to Fanny Coulston her heirs and assigns forever. I also give and bequeath unto the said Fanny Coulston her heirs and assigns such part of my household and kitchen furniture as my executors hereinafter named, shall judge reasonable and necessary, due regard being paid to the situation of my estate and the interest of her children. I give and bequeath unto my three natural sons, Francis, Bonaparte, and William begotten on the body of the said Fanny Coulston, all my wearing apparel, including whatever remains or that left to me by my deceased Uncle Joseph Hewes , Esquire, to be equally divided among them share and share alike. Before the signing and the execution of the above Will, I do hereby declare it to be my further will and desire that the aforesaid Fanny Caulston shall have the use and labor of my negro woman named Penny for and during the term of three years."

Allen and his sister Mary Granberry Allen lived in Chillicothe together. His sister married Reverend Pleasant Thurman, and their son, [[Allen G. Thurman]], followed in his uncle's footsteps, becoming a lawyer and politician.

Allen attended Chillicothe Academy before studying law with [[Edward King (Ohio politician)|Colonel Edward King]]. He was [[Admission to the bar in the United States|admitted to the bar]] in Ohio at age 21.<ref name=OHC>{{Ohio History Central|132|William Allen|access-date=August 5, 2012}}</ref> He began his career as a politician in the Democratic Party at a young age.<ref name=ryan>{{cite book |title=A History of Ohio with Biographical Sketches of her Governors and the Ordinance of 1787| first=Daniel J |last=Ryan |year=1888 |author-link=Daniel J. Ryan|publisher=A H Smythe |location=Columbus, Ohio|pages=190–191|chapter=William Allen |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M6YTAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA190}}</ref>