Allen line: Samuel Falley

Samuel Falley was the son of Richard Falley Junior and Margaret Hitchcock.  One o 10 children, he was born on October 9, 1780 in Westfield, Massachusetts, and was probably named for his father's brother, also a Samuel.  His father owned an iron works or armory so there may have been enough money to support the family in a reasonable fashion.  Apparently Samuel had no interest in continuing in the family business, or perhaps there wasn't enough business to support all of the sons in the family (7 sons, 3 daughters).  Regardless, Samuel decided to find a career at sea. 

"A History of Licking County" by Albert Adams Graham published in 1881 notes that Samuel traveled the seas from ages 17-22 and rose from cabin boy to second mate.  He traveled to Europe, Africa, and the West Indies, but quit the seas in 1801.  The History doesn't elaborate, but based on the time period, 1797-1801, and the later statement that he was a pioneer of the anti-slavery cause, I believe  he had an "Amazing Grace" conversion, just as John Newton had in England some years earlier.  Having traveled that triangle of ports more than once, he came to see for his own eyes what the slave trade was about, and also what rum could do to a person and a family, and wanted no further part in that business.  

After Samuel quit his promising career at sea and returned home, he went to Ohio in 1803.  He returned to Massachusetts in a few years and married Ruth Root, daughter of Martin Root Jr. and Ruth Noble, on July 19, 1810.  After the War of 1812 ended, Samuel and Ruth and the first three of their 11 children went back to Ohio, settling near Granville, Licking County, Ohio.  Here he became farmer and raised his family as good Christians, in the Congregationalist church.  The family would have taken up two or three pews, as there were eventually ten children, the last being born in 1828.  (II don't know whether there was a church building in these early years or not, but it's a fun picture.)

Besides his strong anti-slavery views, he was among the early advocates for temperance reform, so he must have been quite a spiritual force in the community.  The History notes that he was very much interested in all social, political, and religious issues of the day, and that he retained his mental faculties unimpaired until his death.  Ruth Root Falley died on July 1, 1862 and Samuel died February 2, 1871, past the age of 90.  Their tombstone is shown on Findagrave, and is located in Maple Grove Cemetery, Granville, Licking County, Ohio. 

Among the things I don't know about Samuel are how he supported himself during his long stay in Massachusetts after first visiting Ohio.  I don't know whether he had any involvement in the War of 1812. I don't know whether there is a will, and what it might say. I do know that I am proud to be his descendent! 

Our line of descent is:

Samuel Falley-Ruth Noble
Clarissa Falley-John Havens Starr
Harriet Starr-John Wilson Knott
Edith Knott-Edward Allen
Vernon/Richard/Tessora/Corinne/Edith
their children, grand children, and great grandchildren