Allin was born in 1596. It is believed he was of
Christ's College, Cambridge at the
University of Cambridge, where he proceeded
M.A. He was a classmate of
George Phillips. According to the
Dictionary of National Biography, he is described "by one not given to laudation" as having been ‘a hard student, a good scholar,’ and it is added he was ‘an excellent preacher, a grave and pious divine, and a man of a most humble, heavenly, and courteous behaviour, full of sweet christian love to all.’ Nonetheless, was he exposed to the politico-religious persecutions of the times. Being ‘settled’ at
St Mary-at-the-Quay Church, Ipswich, he came under the ban of
Bishop Wren. He voluntarily left his ‘cure’ and removed to
London, rather than be contentious.
To America About the year 1637–8 he accompanied a band of English Puritanism to New England, ‘being obliged to go on board the ship which was to convey him thither in disguise, in order to elude pursuit.’ He was invited by the residents to settle in
Dedham, Massachusetts "with thoughts of future employment in publik worke." In 1639 he was chosen pastor of the
First Church and Parish in Dedham where he continued "much beloved and useful all the rest of his days," only now and again accompanying
Eliot in his "labours" among the Indians. When a fellow passenger attempted to fish over the railing on a Sunday, he was questioned as to why he would work on the Sabbath. He responded that he thought every day was the Sabbath as "they did nothing but preach and pray from one end of the week until the other."
Nine Positions In 1637 a number of English divines, having had it bruited that their brethren in New England were departing from the old landmarks in regard to ecclesiastical discipline and order, addressed to them a letter of inquiry in respect to what they called the ‘Nine Positions.’ The New-England divines answered the communication at great length, frankly acknowledging that on certain points their views had been modified. This in turn was replied to by
John Ball on behalf of the English divines, and to this finally a very able and pungent answer was given by Allin along with
Thomas Shepard, entitled ‘A Defence of the Nine Positions.’
Baptism controversy Later, a protracted controversy agitated New England on the proper ‘subjects’ (or objects) of
baptism. Allin was foremost in the fray, and published a vigorous ‘Defence of the Synod held at Boston in the year 1662.’ He was likewise associated with Shepard in a treatise on ‘Church Reformation.’
Limitation of colonial allegiance But Allin was more than a pastor and preacher. Though of rare patience and peacefulness, he could take a stand when called to it. Necessity was laid on him to do so very strongly and peremptorily. In 1646 an attempt which was made to bring the colonists into subjection to the British parliament produced passionate resistance. Allin was chosen to be the ‘voice’ of the colony, and he submitted a statesmanlike paper in ‘a manly and decided tone,’ marking the just limitations of colonial allegiance and imperial rights, and fully sustaining the colonists.
Personal life He was twice married. His first wife, Margaret, went over with him to New England. They were married by
John Phillips, with whom he would later share the pulpit in Dedham. Shortly after her death he married his second wife Katharine, widow of Governor
Thomas Dudley. He left three sons, and all over the United States to-day families are found to trace their descent from him. He died on 26 August 1671. He is buried in the
Old Village Cemetery. In 1639, he was granted land in West Dedham, which later housed the
town pound. His bereaved congregation published his last two sermons: the one from
Song of Solomon viii. 5, and the other from
St. John xiv. 22. In their preface the editors denominate him ‘a constant, faithful, diligent steward in the house of God, a man of peace and truth, and a burning and shining light.’ These two sermons were some years since reprinted in a memorial volume, entitled
The Dedham Pulpit.
Mill owner In 1642,
John Elderkin sold half of his rights to the mill on
Mother Brook to
Nathaniel Whiting and the other half to
John Allin, Aldis, and
John Dwight. They operated the mill "in a rather stormy partnership" until 1649 when Whiting became the sole owner. ==Books authored==