Ira Allen: A Complex and Controversial Figure in Vermont’s History

By Jennie Shurtleff

Ira Allen, who was a pivotal yet controversial character in Vermont’s history, played a significant role in shaping the state’s early development. Often recognized as one of Vermont’s early leaders, a key advocate for the establishment of the University of Vermont, and a shrewd businessman, Allen’s legacy is far from straightforward. While he made notable contributions, his actions and motivations have been the subject of debate. Examining both his achievements and his more questionable decisions provides a fuller understanding of the man behind Vermont’s history.

 Ira Allen, the youngest brother of the famous Ethan Allen, was a complex and ambitious figure. Alongside Ethan, he was a prominent leader in the early years of the Vermont Republic. Ira served in the Vermont Legislature from 1776 to 1777 and played a crucial role in the state's fight for independence. In 1778, he designed the Great Seal of Vermont, which featured symbols that remain associated with the state today—forests, rivers, and agricultural imagery that reflect Vermont’s natural beauty and its agrarian economy. He was also instrumental in establishing Vermont as an independent republic in 1777, and he was selected to be a member of the new Republic’s interim government.

However, Allen’s commitment to Vermont's independence is complicated by his involvement in what became known as the Haldimand Affair. Named after the British Governor of Quebec, Frederick Haldimand, this series of negotiations centered around discussions - many of them secret - between Ira Allen, and a few other Vermont representatives, and British officials. Ultimately, these negotiations raised suspicions about Vermont's loyalties. It was rumored that Allen and other leaders were contemplating aligning Vermont with Great Britain, potentially to reassert British control over the region.

While some argue that Allen was plotting to make Vermont a British province, others suggest that the negotiations may have been a strategic move. Given Vermont’s vulnerable position between British Canada to the north and the newly-formed United States to the east, west, and south, Allen might have been using the talks as leverage to ensure Vermont's security and independence. The most obvious benefit was that while Vermont was in peaceful negotiations with Great Britain to potentially become a British province, the fear of an immediate invasion by Great Britain from the north was diminished.

Additionally, it’s possible that Allen saw these talks as a bargaining chip in Vermont’s bid for statehood, especially as both New York and New Hampshire resisted admitting Vermont to the Union due to territorial disputes. By engaging with Britain, Allen may have been attempting to raise the stakes, making the solidification of Vermont’s future as the 14th state seem more urgent and significant.

Another of Ira Allen’s enduring legacies is his role in the founding of the University of Vermont (UVM). Known by some as the "father” of UVM, Allen was a vocal advocate for higher education in the state. His vision for a university was not just about education, but also about fostering a northern economic and cultural corridor along Vermont’s waterways. Allen’s land holdings in northern Vermont played a significant role in his vision, as he hoped to create a hub of settlement and trade connected to Canada, which would bolster the value of his property.

Allen submitted a memorandum to the Vermont Legislature advocating for the creation of the university and even offered to donate 50 acres of his land for the college. In addition to the land, he pledged 4,000 British pounds sterling. While he did follow through with the land donation, the promised financial contribution never materialized. As the largest land owner in the area (with some estimates suggesting that he owned about 200,000 acres), he could have chosen to sell off some of his land to finance the commitment, but he did not. This gap between Allen's promises and actions adds a layer of complexity to his legacy as a philanthropist.

In addition to his political and educational endeavors, Ira Allen was also a successful, albeit controversial, businessman. He played a key role in the Onion River Land Company, a powerful enterprise that he and his brothers controlled. The company held vast tracts of land in northern Vermont, much of it purchased from proprietors and settlers who had obtained titles under the New Hampshire Grants. When New York began questioning the legitimacy of these land claims, Ira Allen and his brothers exploited the situation. By leveraging public fear that proprietors and settlers might lose their property to New York’s claims, they acquired large amounts of land at bargain prices.

Moreover, the Allens used their influence to protect their interests through the Green Mountain Boys, a paramilitary group that intimidated land owners from New York. These tactics helped solidify their control over the region but also led to accusations of exploitation and manipulation.

Despite being one of the largest landowners in Vermont at the time, Ira Allen’s wealth did not last. He ultimately died in poverty in 1814 and was buried in a pauper’s grave, a stark contrast to his earlier success. His decline in fortune reflects the complicated nature of his financial dealings, which, while initially lucrative, may have contributed to his eventual downfall.

 Ira Allen’s life and legacy are filled with contradictions. While he contributed significantly to Vermont’s independence and development, his involvement in questionable negotiations with the British, his unfulfilled promises to UVM, and his controversial business practices leave a mixed impression. Whether viewed as a visionary leader or a self-interested opportunist, Allen’s impact on Vermont is undeniable. His story serves as a reminder that history is often more nuanced than simple heroism or villainy, and the full truth of a person’s motives can be elusive, even centuries later.

Above: Statue of Ira Allen that is situated on UVM’s campus.

The inscription on the base of this bronze statue reads: “Ira Allen / Founder of the State / of Vermont founded / this University. 1791” The statue was erected in 1929.