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John Allan

1779 - 1834

John Allan, the future foster father of Edgar Poe, was born in 1779 at Irvine, Ayrshire in Scotland. He emigrated to the United States in January 1795, settling in Richmond, Virginia where he went to work with his uncle William Galt, a wealthy merchant. Around 1800, he and fellow employee Charles Ellis established their own mercantile firm, Ellis & Allan. On February 5, 1803, Allan married Francis Keeling Valentine (1785-1829). Unfortunately, Francis was ill most of the time and the couple remained childless. (However, Allan would have several illegitimate children throughout his lifetime.) On June 4, 1804, the successful and affluent Scottish immigrant became a naturalized American citizen.

Edgar's mother, Elizabeth Arnold Hopkins Poe, gave birth to three children by her second husband David Poe Jr., William Henry Leonard, born 1807; Edgar, born 1809; and Rosalie, born 1810. Poe's father's acting career did not prove to be as successful as hers, so she continued to perform and tour in order to support the family. When David Poe Jr. deserted the family in July 1811 and died in obscurity, she was left alone to care for her family.

Eliza toured the south, appearing on stage for the last time at the Richmond Theatre on October 11, 1811. She became ill with tuberculosis and several benefit performances were presented at the theatre to raise money for her and her children.

Eliza Poe died on December 8, 1811 at the age of 24.

In 1815, John Allan, Francis and Edgar moved to England to open a London office of his firm. John sent Edgar to excellent schools where the young boy began to develop his classical education as well as his outstanding ability for languages. Unfortunately for Allan, the business didn't fare too well and the family returned to Richmond in June 1820. The firm of Ellis & Allan was officially dissolved in 1824. John Allan's financial problems began to mount until March 26, 1825 when his Uncle William Galt died and left him a substantial inheritance. Allan purchased the imposing mansion "Moldavia" to suit his new social position.

	"Moldavia"

As Edgar entered his adolescence, friction began to develop between him and Allan. Edgar's aspirations as well as his talent and intelligence did not conform to the vision Allan had for his foster son's future in business. Furthermore, Edgar, intensely loyal to Frances Allan, frequently criticized Allan for his extramarital affairs. John Allan did not like to be confronted with his sins.

When Poe left to attend the University of Virginia in 1826, Allan failed to provide Edgar with enough money to cover his expenses. As a result, Edgar started gambling and putting his necessary costs on credit. Eventually, he developed a huge debt of $2,000. Allan refused to pay off these debts. In March 1827, Edgar and John Allan quarreled bitterly. Edgar stormed out of the house and moved into town.

EAP letter to John Allan, March 19, 1827
John Allan letter to EAP, March 20, 1827
EAP letter to John Allan, March 20, 1827

Later, Edgar went to Boston where he enlisted in the Army under the assumed name of Edgar A. Perry. In December 1828, Edgar wanted out of the regular Army and wrote Allan for help, asking him to arrange an appointment to West Point.

EAP letter to John Allan, December 1, 1828
EAP letter to John Allan, December 22, 1828
EAP letter to John Allan, February 4, 1829

After Frances Allan died on February 28, 1829, Edgar and John Allan attempted a reconciliation. Allan arranged for a substitute to take Edgar's place in the Army and arranged for the appointment to the military academy. However, once again, Allan sent Edgar off to school without the necessary funds.

EAP letter to John Allan, May 29, 1829
EAP letter to John Allan, June 25, 1829
EAP letter to John Allan, August 4, 1829
EAP letter to John Allan, August 10, 1829
EAP letter to John Allan, October 30, 1829

Edgar soon decided the military life was not for him. When John Allan learned of Edgar's aspirations to become a littérateur, their relationship became stormy once again.

John Allan remarried on October 5, 1830 to Louisa Gabriella Patterson (1800-1881). Eventually, they had three children. However, the second Mrs. Allan had no affection for Edgar.

Edgar was not wanted around the Allan household and kept his distance, moving into the household of his Aunt Maria and his young cousin Virginia in Baltimore. From time to time, Edgar wrote Allan requesting money and other favors, but Allan was not responsive to his pleas for assistance.

EAP letter to John Allan, January 3, 1831
EAP letter to John Allan, February 21, 1831
EAP letter to John Allan, October 16, 1831
EAP letter to John Allan, November 18, 1831
EAP letter to John Allan, December 15, 1831
EAP letter to John Allan, December 29, 1831
EAP letter to John Allan, April 12, 1833

When Allan became desperately ill, Poe made a visit to Richmond and entered the Allan house on February 14, 1834.

"A short time previous to Mr. Allan's death, he was greatly distressed by dropsy, was unable to lie down, and sat in an arm-chair night and day; several times a day, by the advice of his physician, he walked across the room for exercise, leaning on his cane, and assisted by his wife and a manservant. During this illness of her husband, Mrs. Allan was on an occasion, passing through the hall of this house, when hearing the front doorbell ring, she opened the door herself. A man of remarkable appearance stood there, and without giving his name asked if he could see Mr. Allan. She replied that Mr. Allan's condition was such that his physicians had prohibited any person from seeing him except his nurses. The man was Edgar A. Poe, who was, of course, perfectly familiar with the house. Thrusting her aside and without noticing her reply, he passed rapidly upstairs to Mr. Allan's chamber, followed by Mrs. Allan. As soon as he entered the chamber, Mr. Allan raised his cane, and threatening to strike him if he came within his reach, ordered him out: upon which Poe withdrew, and that was the last time they ever met."

--- Thomas H. Ellis, Richmond Standard, May 7, 1881 

John Allan died on March 27, 1834.

"I inform you of Uncle Allan's death today at 11 o'clock very suddenly. He was sitting in his Easy-chair by himself and had not Mrs. Allan been called in by the cries of one of the children he would not have been known to be dead for some time. She found him laid back, noticed the difference in his appearance directly and brought assistance by her screams."

--- Charles Ellis Jr., letter to his father, March 27, 1834

Although his will provided inheritances for both his legitimate and illegitimate children, it made no mention of Edgar Poe.

John Allan was buried in Shockoe Hill Cemetery.

Edgar did not attend.

John Allan's tombstone:

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
JOHN ALLAN
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE
MARCH 27, 1834
IN THE 54TH YEAR OF HIS AGE.
He whose remains lie buried beneath
this tomb was a native of Ayrshire, Scotland.
Blessed with every social and benevolent
feeling, he fulfilled the duties of Husband,
Father, Brother, and Friend, with surpassing
Kindness, supported the ills of life with
Fortitude, and his Prosperity with Meekness.
A firm believer in Christ, and resigned to
the decrees of Almighty God, he gave up
life with all its enjoyments, without a murmur.
While affection mourns the great loss it
has sustained, the remembrance of his
virtues and the hope of a reunion hereafter
are the only sources of consolation to
the bereft heart.

Enemies: Allan Griswold