Barbara Allen Vagliano of Pelham Manor, Among the First American Women Recipients of the French Croix de Guerre During World War I

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This year marks the centennial of the entry of the United States into World War I on April 6, 1917.  Thus, today's Historic Pelham article is the next in a series of articles intended to document Pelham's role in World War I.  At the end of today's article is a list of previous articles concerning Pelham and World War I, with links. 

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Recently I wrote of the exploits of "The Kid" -- Julian Broome Livingston Allen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Hobbes Allen of The Priory in Pelham Manor.  Julian Allen was a two-time recipient of the French Croix de Guerre during World War I.  See Wed., Jan. 25, 2017:  Sixteen-Year-Old Pelhamite Nicknamed "The Kid" Received the French Croix de Guerre for Bravery Twice.  One of Julian Allen's sisters, Barbara Allen Vagliano, also was a recipient of the French Croix de Guerre during World War I, among the first American women to receive the award.

According to news reports, during the summer of 1918, Barbara Frances Gallatin Allen was head of the motor department in France under Miss Anne Morgan, head of the American Committee for Devastated France.  Barbara and other women drove automobiles as ambulances and canteen vehicles and, occasionally had to use the vehicles to evacuate troops and others as things went badly at the Front.  The women were known as "Chaufs," short for chauffeurs.  Barbara Allen's ambulance was nicknamed the "Jack Rabbit."  

During the Summer of 1918, Barbara Allen and two other women, Rose B. Dolan of Philadelphia and Virginia Latrobe of Baltimore, were traveling in the Jack Rabbit near the trenches of the front offering canteen services to allied troops and ambulance services as needed.  As they traveled, they came under artillery attack.  The Jack Rabbit was struck and disabled, but none of the women was hurt.  

On April 25, 1919, a solemn and impressive ceremony was held at Berean Court during which Marshal Henri Pétain conferred the Croix de Guerre on five women who all worked under Anne Morgan of the American Committee for Devastated France.  The five included Barbara Allen and Rose Dolan.  Henri-Philippe Pétain (1856-1951) was a celebrated and successful World War I French general who later was imprisoned for treason after collaborating with the Nazis during World War II.

Barbara Allen and Rose Dolan received the Croix de Guerre for their work with the soldiers in June and July, 1918 at Chateau Thierry and Belleau Wood.  Marshal Pétain personally conferred the decoration on each woman, then delivered the following brief remarks:

"It is with profound pleasure I have come to give you the cross which I know so well you have merited.  I wanted to give it to you myself because I know so well the devotion which each of you has brought to this cause.  I hope your efforts will be crowned with a success which will amplify all you have done up to the present, and I give you my best compliments."

Example of French Croix de Guerre.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Barbara Frances Gallatin Allen was born in New York on February 16, 1897, a daughter of Adele Livingston Stevens Allen and Frederick Hobbes Allen of The Priory in Pelham Manor.  She spent many of her younger years shuttling with her family back and forth between Pelham Manor and Paris.  

With the advent of World War I, Barbara Allen joined with the American Committee for Devastated France led by Anne Morgan.  She served in France for two years during the war (1917 and 1918) and rose to become head of the Committee's motor department.  It likely was during this time she met her future husband, Andre M. Vagliano, who also received the Croix de Guerre for his bravery in service during the war.  

After the war, Barbara Allen became engaged to Francis Inman Amory, Jr. of Boston.  For unknown reasons, the engagement did not last.  Nine months later Barbara married Andre M. Vagliano of France at Christ Church in Pelham Manor.  She and her husband both became international amateur golf champions and sensations, each winning many important tournaments in France, England, and the United States.  She and her husband had three children.

On Saturday, December 30, 1950, Barbara, her husband, and a son-in-law were involved in a terrible car accident near Tours, Indre-et-Loire, France.  Barbara Allen Vagliano suffered severe head injuries and broken ribs.  She immediately lapsed into a coma.  Her husband and son-in-law also were injured.  She was taken to Clinique St. Gregoire, St. Symphorien, near Tours where she died in the early morning hours of December 31, 1950 at 2:10 a.m. local time.  She was buried in a new cemetery at Garches (Seine-et-Oise), in the Vagliano family vault on January 4, 1951 (plot no. 17 bis). 

January 30, 1951 American Foreign Service Report

of Death of an American Citizen:  Barbara Allen Vagliano.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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Below is the text of a number of items regarding Barbara Frances Gallatin Allen Vagliano and her life.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"Girls Win Decorations For Bravery
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PHILADELPHIA girls 'over there' are not behind our boys when it comes to bravery under fire.  Advices received from official sources in Paris by Mrs. Barclay Warburton of the Emergency Aid of Pennsylvania, tell of the bravery of Miss Rose B. Dolan, the 22-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Dolan of Rosemont, while driving an ambulance while under fire.  The letter gives only a bare outline of a thrilling story of the battlefront, in which three young American girls displayed such fearlessness under fire that they are going to be recommended for the Croix de Guerre.

The girls are Miss Virginia Latrobe of Baltimore, Miss Barbara Allen of New York, and Miss Dolan.  They are all well known in society in their respective cities.  They are engaged in canteen work in France and their duties took them very near the trenches.  

The automobile, which had been sent over to Miss Letitia McKim by the Emergency Aid and which bore the name of that organization, came under range of a bombardment, during which the machine was struck and disabled.  

Miss Dolan is well known as an expert horsewoman, having ridden and exhibited her horses at all of the larger shows.  In France Miss Dolan made her headquarters with her grandmother, Mrs. Neilson Brown, mother of Mrs. Dolan, who lives in Paris.

Miss Dolan prepared for her work in the ambulance service by driving a car in the motor messenger service.  

Word was received the first part of the month that Miss Phyllis Walsh, daughter of Mrs. Florence Huhn Walsh of Overbrook, had been decorated with the Croix de Guerre at Nancy, France."

Source:  Girls Win Decorations For Bravery, The Oregon Daily Journal [Portland, OR], Jul. 14, 1918, p. 40, col. 4 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).

"DECORATED FOR WAR WORK.
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An imposing ceremony took place on Friday of last week when Marshal Henri Petain of France, conferred the Croix de Guerre upon several young women, well known in New York, for bravery shown during the war.

The young ladies decorated were all associates of Miss Anne Morgan in the American Committee for Devastated France.  

The ceremonies of the presentations were held at Berean court, the decoration taking place beneath the arch of a chateauean which is carved a griffon, the emblem of the organization.

Marshall Petal [sic] personally conferred the decorations, and spoke as follows:

'It is with profound pleasure I have come to give you the cross which I know so well you have merited.  I wanted to give it to you myself because I know so well the devotion which each of you has brought to this cause.  I hope your efforts will be crowned with a success which will amplify all you have done up to the present, and I give you my best compliments.'

Later, the Marshal presented to each young woman a leather holding case, each one of which was inscribed:

'Souvenir du Marechal Petain.' 

Among those decorated were:  Miss Miriam Blagden, daughter of Thomas Blagden, No. 113 East Sixty-fourth street, New York City; Miss Barbara Allen, daughter of Frederick H. Allen of New York and Paris; Miss Rose Dolan, daughter of Clarence Dolan, of Philadelphia and Newport; Mrs. Richard Hevenor, daughter of Edward E. Moore, No. 43 Fifth avenue, New York City, and Miss Muriel Valentine, granddaughter of John Lowry, of New York City."

Source:  DECORATED FOR WAR WORK, The News Journal [Wilmington, DE], May 3, 1919, p. 14, col. 4 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).

"BARBARA FRANCES GALLATIN ALLEN (ADELE LIVINGSTON STEVENS, ADELE LIVINGSTON SAMPSON, ADELE CAROLINE LIVINGSTON, JULIA BROOME, JOHN) was born on February 16, 1897, in New York and died December 30 or 31, 1950, in Tours, France.  She married ANDRE M. VAGLIANO on June 30, 1920, at Christ Church, Pelham Manor, New York.  He was born in 1896 in Marseille, France, and died in 1971.

Notes for BARBARA FRANCES GALLATIN ALLEN:

As a child and young adult, Barbara was in France with her family several times, including 1905, 1907, 1910, 1911, 1913, 1914, 1917, 1918, and 1919.

Barbara served for two years in France during World War I with the American Committee for Devastated France.  She was head of the motor department.  She was decorated with the Croix de Guerre by Marshall Petain of France for her work with the soldiers in June and July 1918 at Chateau Thierry and Belleau Wood.

In August 1916, Barbara (19) and her younger sister, Joan (18) were presented to society at Newport at a dance hosted by their uncle and aunt, Joseph and Clara Stevens.  At the beginning of December, both girls made their debut in New York City at a dance their parents gave at Sherry's.  The dance was preceded by a dinner for 80, given by their uncle and aunt, Joseph and Clara Stevens.  About 300 additional guests came just for the dance.  A seated supper for all followed about midnight.  Both married people and older women and men came, as well as the younger set, including their brother, Frederic Stevens Allen, and their uncle's stepson, Sherwood Rollins (both 22 years old).  Three years later, in September 1919, Joan married Goodhue Livingston, Jr., and Barbara became engaged to Francis Inman Amory, Jr., of Boston.  For unknown reasons, the engagement did not last, and nine months later Barbara married Andre Vagliano of France at Pelham Manor.  Barbara and Andre both had received the Croix de Guerre.  They married on the wedding anniversary day of her parents -- June 30.  After a honeymoon in Newport, Barbara and Andre lived in Paris.

Barbara and her husband (he was the French amateur golf champion for several years) played golf internationally in the 1920s.  In May 1930, Barbara played at St. Germain-en-Laye, France, in the match against the United States; she won in the doubles but lost in the singles; the U.S. team won overall.  Barbara and her husband and their three children sailed on the ship Lafayette, traveling second-cabin from Le Havre to New York, arriving on July 20, 1930 [ship manifest list 14, line no. 1-5].  Later that month, they were guests of her parents at Newport.  The parents' new house at Newport was under construction, so they had leased Rosetta Cottage on Bellevue Avenue.  Barbara's husband played in the Newport Invitational Tournament, and Barbara established a new ladies record for the Newport County course.  She had a gross score of 77.  Her sister Priscilla was at Newport, and her brother Frederic Stevens Allen came for a visit.  The Vagliano family took a trip to Canada and returned to Newport.  Barbara and her husband won the weekend Tombstone Golf Tournament at the Newport Country Club, August 30-31.  They left for New York City on September 3 and then returned to Paris.  In 1931, her husband, Andre, won the men's French Amateur Golf Championship, and Barbara narrowly missed winning the women's French Amateur Golf Championship, coming in second in the final round.  Barbara played in the British Championship in 1932.  In late July 1933, Barbara, who had traveled first cabin on the ship Bremen, again was visiting her parents in Newport -- this time she stayed at her parents' new home, the Mount, and both of her brothers, Frederic and Julian, came for a weekend visit.  In Paris in February of 1935, Barbara and her husband were guests at a bridge tea given by General and Mme. Taufflieb (nee Julia Catlin of New York) who also had Mr. and Mrs. Rudyard Kipling as their guests.

In 1936, Barbara traveled second-cabin on the Normandie, arriving in New York on July 13.  Again traveling second-cabin, Barbara came with her daughters, Dorothee, 16, and Sonia, 15, on the ship Champlain, which arrived in New York on July 22, 1937.  Barbara traveled with Sonia, 17, first-cabin on the Washington that arrived in New York on November 1, 1939 [ship manifest list 15, lines 26 and 30].  Barbara traveled first-cabin again with Sonia, 18, departing on the ship Excalibur from Lisbon, Portugal, on January 31, 1941, and arriving in New York on February 10 [list 6, lines 21 and 22].

In May 1941, Barbara, her sister Joan, and her brother Julian's wife served as hostesses at Bolton Priory (the Pelham Manor, New York, home where the Allen family grew up) on an International Garden Club benefit for the British War Relief Society, Inc.  In August 1941, Barbara and her son Alex (Alexander Vagliano) joined her sister Joan (Mrs. Allen Livingston) and her sister Priscilla and brother-in-law Francis Hallowell at Newport, most likely at the Mount.

Barbara and her husband, Andre M. Vagliano, were listed in the New York Social Register of 1941 with their address at 8 Rue du General Appert, Paris, France.  Two children were listed as junior members, Miss Sonia and Mr. Alex -- at St. Paul's.  Juniors were defined as misses from 12 to 17 and messieurs from 14 to 20 years old.  Their other daughter, Dorothee, had married in 1939 when she was 18, so she was not listed under her parents.  Their daughter, Dorothee, or Lally as she was called, became an international golf star.

Barbara Vagliano got U.S. Passport No. 4285 on January 30, 1945.  Barbara sailed on the Queen Elizabeth to New York at least twice.  The first time, she arrived in New York on March 5, 1947.  The second time, she arrived in New York on January 23, 1948.  She flew on Air France from Orly Airport, France, to New York, arriving on November 23, 1948.

The New York Times newspaper printed on January 3 an article announcing Barbara's death:  Tours, France, Jan. 2 [1951] (AP) 'Mrs. Andre Vagliano, 53, of Pelham, NY died in a hospital here Sunday of injuries suffered in an automobile accident.  Friends said she was the first American woman to receive the Croix de Guerre in World War I.  Her husband and son-in-law were injured also in the accident.  Mrs. Vagliano is the former Barbara Allen of Pelham, New York.  Mrs. Vagliano is survived by three children -- Alexander Vagliano, Viscountess de Saint Sauveur and Mrs. Philipe Eloy.'  The death notice for Barbara Ann Vagliano that was published in the New York Times on January 1, 1951, gives her death as December 30 (Sunday was the 31st). 

Notes for ANDRE M. VAGLIANO:

Andre was the son of Marino Vagliano and his wife, Helen Dounas.  Andre's father was born in Constantinople, Turkey, and his mother was Greek.  Andre was born and grew up in France and lived at 8 Rue du General Appert in Paris with his parents.  He was 18 years old and a student at Oxford University in England when he made his first trip to New York.  He sailed from Liverpool, England on July 11, 1914, in first-cabin [first class] on the Aquitania with 45-year-old Alfred Theodosius from Oxford and arrived on July 17 in New York, where they stayed at the Waldorf Hotel.  The ship manifest described Andre as 5'6" with a dark complexion, brown hair, and blue eyes.

Andre served throughout World War I with the French army and received the Croix de Guerre.  (Very likely, Andre met his future wife, Barbara Allen, in France as she also served in France during the war and also received the Croix de Guerre.)

In 1920, Andre and his father (they could speak English and French) traveled from France with Barbara Allen and some relatives of his future wife, arriving in New York about two weeks before his wedding.  On the manifest of the ship Imperator, Andre was described as 24 years old, 6' with a dark complexion, dark hair and dark eyes.  His occupation was given as secretary.  The others traveling on the same ship with Andre and his father, in addition to Barbara, were the following relatives of his fiancee:  his fiancee's brother Julian Allen; his fiancee's aunt Frances, with her husband, Count Maurice des Monstiers-Merinville, and her daughter, Jacqueline de Gallifet; and his fiancee's aunt Mabel [Countess Orslowska], with her son Alexander Orlowski and her daughter Eveline Orlowska.  In addition, they had maids traveling with them.  All of their names appear on list 5 of first-cabin passengers on the Imperator.  (With the future bride and groom and four other young people, and a joyous occasion to celebrate, there must have been happy times on this voyage.)  The ship Imperator had three funnels, two masts, and four propellers and cruised at 23 knots.  Built for the Hamburg-American Line in 1913, it sailed under the German flag for one year, was laid up during the war, and returned to service in 1920 under the British flag.

Andre Vagliano won the French Amateur Golf Championship in 1923, 1924, (International in 1925), 1926, 1930, and 1931.  Andre won the first Mouchy Cup for golf in 1927, the year it was established by the Duc de Mouchy.  (This Duc de Mouchy ws Henri de Noailles, a 4th cousin of Andre's wife, Barbara.  Twenty years later, Andre's son-in-law, Jacques de Saint Sauveur, won the Mouchy Cup.)  In July 1930, he, his wife, and their three children arrived in New York and went to visit her parents in Newport, where Andre was playing in the annual invitational tournament at the Newport Country Club.  Unfortunately, Andre did not score well enough in the qualifying round, and so he was eliminated from the championship competition.  However, Andre won both rounds of the second flight and became winner of the second sixteen flight.  The competition started July 30 and ended August 2, 1930.  In the morning of August 2, Andre and Barbara, Barbara's parents, and Barbara's sister Priscilla watched the mixed doubles tennis tournament at the Casino.  Andre was one of the 16 people who donated a prize for the children's annual sandcastle-building contest held on August 9 at Bailey's Beach at Newport; 62 children participated -- the winning children were allowed to choose among the prizes.

In 1931, Andre initiated the first regular international golf match for ladies and gave a silver trophy called the Vagliano Cup for annual competition between Britain and France.  Andre was a member of the Fontainebleau Golf Club.  

Andre traveled from Southampton on the Bremen, arriving in New York on November 28, 1932.  His age was given as 36 years and 6 months on the ship manifest [first cabin list 7, line 28].  He was visiting his brother-in-law Frederic Stevens Allen, at 55 Broadway, New York, and planned to stay for one month.  Andre was described on the ship manifest as 5'11" with brown hair and brown eyes.

Andre (whose mother was Greek) was one of the committee members who greeted guests at a tea and cocktail party to close the month-long El Greco exhibition held at the Knoedler Galleries, 14 E. 57th Street in New York City.  The exhibit, from January to February 1941, ws for the benefit of Greek civilian relief, and Countess Mercati served as chairman of the exhibit.  On November 19, 1942, Andre was a guest at a preshow dinner given by Countess Mercati, vice chairman of the executive committee giving a benefit for United China Relief, with a midnight revue called 'Cheer China' at Radio City Music Hall in New York.  During World War II, Andre helped fund an escape line for getting Allied pilots, who were shot down in France, back to England.

In September 1945, he flew from Foynes, Ireland, to New York, arriving September 2, on business to aid the Franco-Armenian Welfare Organization.  He was described on the aircraft information sheet at age 49, 5' 11" with balding gray hair and brown eyes.  He planned to stay for 59 days.  His address was 8 Rue du General Appert, Paris, France.  Andre flew on Pan American Airways from Brussels, Belgium to New York, arriving on August 18, 1947.  His occupation was given as 'industrialist,' and the purpose of his trip was given as business.  He planned to stay for about 45 days and to visit Bolton Priory, Pelham Manor, New York.  He made another visit in December of 1948, traveling by air from Paris.  He flew from Paris on Trans World Airways for visits in December 1952 and January 1954.

Marriage Notes for BARBARA ALLEN and ANDRE VAGLIANO:

Their engagement was announced by the bride's parents in early June.  A marriage license was obtained on June 23, 1920, at Pelham Manor, New York.  Andre was 24 years old and a student in France.  Barbara was 23 years old.  Their marriage took place at Pelham Manor on June 30, 1920.  Rev. John McVickar Haight officiated, and the witnesses were Andre's father, Marino Vagliano, and Barbara's father, Frederick H. Allen.

An article on page 10 of the New York Times on July 1, 1920, told about the wedding:

The wedding of Miss Barbara Allen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick H. Allen, and Andre Vagliano of Paris took place yesterday at Christ Church, Pelham Manor, which is on the estate of the bride's parents, Bolton Priory, where the bridal breakfast was served after the ceremony.

Owing to the recent death of the bride's sister, Miss Dorothy Allen, only relatives and a few intimate friends attended.  The Rev. McVickar Haight performed the ceremony.  The bride was attended by her sisters, Mrs. Goodhue Livingston, Jr., and Miss Priscilla Alden Allen; also Miss Rose B. Dolan, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence W. Dolan of Philadelphia.

An even celebrated in connection with the wedding was the twenty-eighth wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Allen, the bride's parents.

The bride was at the head of the motor department in France under Miss Anne Morgan in the work of the American Committee for Devastated France, and was awarded the Croix de Guerre by Marshal Petain.  The bridegroom received the same distinction from the French Government.  Miss Dolan, one of the bridesmaids, was an ambulance driver in France, and the best man and ushers all saw service during the war.

Mr. and Mrs. Vagliano plan to spend the Summer in Newport, and will go to Paris this Autumn.

Among the guests at the wedding were Mrs. Allen's sisters, Countess Maurice des Monstiers-Merinville, Countess Marius Orlowska [should be Countess Micislas Orlowska] and Countess Charles de Gallifet [actually, Countess Maurice des Monstiers-Merinville was Countess Charles de Gallifet before her husband Charles died.  Nine years later she married Count des Monstiers-Merinville] who came from Paris for the occasion."

Source:  Semans, Barbara Broome & Schwartz, Letitia Broome, John Broome and Rebecca Lloyd:  Their Descendants and Related Families 18th to 21st Centuries, Vol. 2, pp. 651-667 (Xlibris Corporation:  2009) (end notes omitted).

"BARBARA ALLEN ENGAGED.

Winner of War Cross to Wed Andre Vagliano, Also Decorated.

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick H. Allen of Bolton Priory, Pelham Manor, have announced the engagement of their daughter, Miss Barbara Allen, to Andre Vagliano, son of Mr. and Mrs. Marino Vagliano of Paris, France.  Owing to the recent death of a sister of the bride the wedding will take place very quietly at Bolton Priory the end of this month.

Miss Allen served in France two years with Miss Anne Morgan's Committee for Devastated France and was the head of the Motor Department.  Marshal Petain decorated her with the Croix de Guerre.  Mr. Vagliano served throughout the war with the French Army and also received the Croix de Guerre."

Source:  BARBARA ALLEN ENGAGED -- Winner of War Cross to Wed Andre Vagliano, Also Decorated, N.Y. Times, Jun. 4, 1920.  

"Barbara Allen Vagliano, Pelham War Heroine, Killed In Crash

PELHAM MANOR -- 

Mrs. Andre Vagliano, the former Barbara Allen of Bolton Priory, a daughter of the late Col. Frederic H. Allen, one time Village president and internationally-known figure, died Sunday in a hospital in Tours, France, as the result of injuries suffered in an automobile accident.  She was fifty-three.

The first American woman to receive the Croix de Guerre in World War I for acts of bravery in the front lines as a member of the American Civilian Aid Committee.  Mrs. Vagliano was a member of one of Pelham's most distinguished families.

According to word from Tours, her husband, a former golf champion of France, and her son-in-law also were injured in the accident which occurred between Sorigny and Tours.  She will be buried tomorrow morning from the Episcopal Cathedral in Paris.  

Mrs. Vagliano's father, who died in 1937, 'as an attorney practicing international law and did much for bringing about the organization of the Republic of Poland.  He also was a member of President Wilson's staff in peace negotiations following World War I.

Mrs. Vagliano, in addition to her husband, is survived by a brother, Frederic Stevens Allen, a New York banker, who is the present occupant of the Priory; two daughters, Viscountess de Saint-Saveur and Mrs. Philipe Eloy; a son, Alexander Vagliano; another brother, Julian Allen, and three sisters, Miss Julia Allen, Mrs. Joan Livingston and Mrs. Priscilla Hallowell.

As did most members of her family, Mrs. Vagliano spent a considerable portion of her life abroad, returning only occasionally to the historic estate here which, however, was the Allens principal residence in America.  The Priory, originally owned by the Bolton family, was a wedding present from her father to Mrs. Frederic Allen Sr., Mrs. Vagliano's mother, at the time of their marriage in 1892."

Source:  Barbara Allen Vagliano, Pelham War Heroine, Killed In Crash, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jan. 3, 1951, p. 1, col. 3.  

"I looked like something the cat had dragged in.  They must have been disgusted with me.  Say, you wouldn't take a picture of the Jack Rabbit, too, would you?'  I looked around for the rabbit.  Only wide trenched fields of flowers, wild turnip, chicory, golden rod and red poppies were in sight.  'Oh, that's the name of my car.'  Only she said it 'Cah,' as they do in New Yawk.  'It was Barbara's; yes, Barbara Allen.  She won the Croix de Guerre with it.  The Jack Rabbit would ride lots easier if it hadn't been through a couple of evacuations.  Piling a car full of people with a dozen or more hanging to the outside and evacuating with it isn't really good for it, but I just love the Jack Rabbit.'  It was Marshal Petain himself who pinned the Croix de Guerre on The Committee chaufs last fall.

No better work is being done over here than by this American Committee for Devastated France, whose workers are all paying their own way.  It has cost $60,000 to carry the work this far.  They need $2,000,000 to finance it for the coming year.  It means food, clothing, the reclaiming of the soil -- I passed one of the American tractors they have brought in to help the cooperative agricultural societies farm the land.  It means helping these brave-hearted people to rebuild and re-establish their homes and schools, building up the health of their children.  It means putting new hope and new strength into shattered lives."

Source:  Adler, Betty, Within the Year After, pp. 194-95 (Chicago, IL:  M. A. Donohue & Co., 1920).

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Below is a list of previous Historic Pelham articles that touch on Pelham history during World War I.  Each is followed by a citation to its source.  

Wed., Jan. 25, 2017:  Sixteen-Year-Old Pelhamite Nicknamed "The Kid" Received the French Croix de Guerre for Bravery Twice. 

Mon., Jan. 02, 2017:  Pelham Marches Into World War I in 1917.  

Mon., Nov. 14, 2016:  James Montgomery Flagg, Who Created the Iconic "I Want You" Uncle Sam, Was Born in Pelham.

Mon., May 30, 2016:  The Cannon That Roared: Pelham Sacrifices a Memorial for the Nation’s Sake.

Wed., Sep. 16, 2015:  Early History of The Pelham Comfort Society.

Fri., Jul. 17, 2015:  1918 Foreclosure Sale of 100 Lots On Bolton Avenue and Roosevelt Avenue in Pelham Manor.   
Wed., Jan. 03, 2007:  World War I Memorial Tree Plaques Honoring Pelham Citizens Who Died in World War I.  

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
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The Largest Gem Heist in Pelham History

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It was the biggest jewel heist ever in the Town of Pelham.  Early estimates of the value of the purloined gems ranged up to $250,000 at the time -- more than $4.7 MILLION in today's dollars.  The heist was the "Pink Panther" diamond and jewelry heist of its day.  As things turned out, the theft was as much a con job as it was a heist.  Pelham Manor and New York City Police suggested that the heist took up to two years to plan.  Based on the various news accounts of the crime, it may have taken longer.

Twenty years later, long after the crime had been solved and the malefactor had been caught, convicted, and served his time, a most remarkable coincidence followed.  Both a victim of the con and the malefactor died at virtually the same time.  The coincidence was not lost on the press.  

The malefactor who made sensational headlines as the Pelham jewel thief was reputedly a Belgian national known as "The Major."  Police said he was believed to be "a thief of international fame."  The thief, it turned out, was Jacob Svoboda, known as "one of the cleverest of the 'British butler thieves.'"

Svoboda had a clever ruse followed by a number of similar thieves.  He presented himself as the "perfect butler" though at least one report described him as a "footman" (i.e., a liveried servant).  He then reported to various employment agencies.  In 1917, the agencies with which he dealt were all in the New York City region.  

In 1917, the Major bided his time.  Employment agencies tried to send him to a variety of jobs, but none was quite what he was looking for.  Indeed, what he was looking for was a job in a gentleman's home filled with jewels.  He repeatedly rejected job opportunities until, finally, the right offer came along -- a chance to work for Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Hobbes Allen, owners of Bolton Priory in Pelham Manor.  

Only a few weeks after beginning work as a "servant" in Bolton Priory, the Major had his chance.  Frederick H. Allen was in Washington, D.C. working with the American Relief Fund of France.  His wife, Adele Livingston Stevens Allen, prepared to attend a reception in New York City for Marshal Joseph Jacques Césaire Joffre, the French General who served as Commander-in-Chief of French forces on the Western Front from the beginning of World War I until the end of 1916.  The entire staff of servants at the Priory, all of French background, planned to travel with Mrs. Allen to Manhattan to be near the celebration for Marshal Joffre.  Svoboda, known as The Major, volunteered to stay behind to watch Bolton Priory apparently because he claimed to be Belgian.

In her hurried preparation for the grand event, Mrs. Allen collected many of her most magnificent jewelry from which she selected what she would wear to the event.  Running late, she selected her jewels and thrust the remainder in a dresser drawer that she locked with a "skeleton key" rather than returning the jewels to a large safe on the premises.  She and the servants then left for Manhattan.

When the group returned, The Major was nowhere to be found.  Indeed, the "Perfect Butler," it seemed, was not so perfect.  Mrs. Allen found her dresser drawer broken open.  The Perfect Butler was missing.  So was the jewelry.

Within days New York City and regional newspapers were blaring headlines about jewelry worth $200,000; $225,000; and even $250,000 missing from Bolton Priory.  New York City Police and Pelham Manor police soon determined the job was a professional job by a slick international thief that likely had learned of major jewel purchases by the Allens in Paris two years before and decided to target them.  A list of the missing jewels was distributed.  It read as follows:

"Pearl necklace, valued at $50,000; diamond ring $10,000; diamond ring, pearls in the centre, containing a large white pearl in centre, surrounded with diamonds, $10,000; gray enamelled watch, surrounded with diamonds, $2,000; gold lorgnon chain, with pearls, $5,000; gold and white enamelled pencil, with pearls; gold chain, with saphires and topaz; gold tortoise shell lorgnon, gold bracelet, watch on gray suede strap, emerald ring, surrounded by diamonds; several gold watches, inlaid with diamonds; pearl and diamond pins and other jewelry."

Police expected to make a quick arrest.  Frederick H. Allen returned to Pelham Manor from Washington, D.C. only to discover that his dressing room had been ransacked.  His bejewelled gold scarf pins were missing, including one bought two years earlier in Paris for $10,000 and valued at $25,000.

Mr. and Mrs. Allen traveled to New York City to view images in the so-called "Rogues Gallery" to identify the servant they knew as "The Major."  While there, Mrs. Allen visited the family's safe deposit box maintained in a New York City bank where she discovered that several of the pieces of jewelry that she thought had been stolen were sitting safely in the safety deposit box.  The jewel thief had made his getaway with only about $85,000 worth of jewelry -- about $1.6 million in today's dollars.

Police apparently did not make a quick arrest.  Though the story remains obscure and no detailed accounts of what actually happened at the time have yet been located, it seems that twelve years later Pelham Manor Police Chief Philip Gargan and two of his detectives were able to collar Jacob Svoboda, alias "The Major."  Svoboda was tried, convicted, and sentenced to prison for his misdeeds.

The story, however, does not end there.  On Thursday, November 29, 1934 -- Thanksgiving Day -- Jacob Svoboda died a pauper in New York City.  Within 24 hours his victim, Frederick H. Allen also died.  As one newspaper put it in a blaring headline:  "Death Drops Curtain on "Perfect Butler" Burglar and His "Bolton Priory" Victim -- Commander Frederick Allen Follows Man Who Robbed Him 20 Years Ago to Grave."

The Bolton Priory jewels were never recovered.

"FREDERICK H. ALLEN"  

Source:  Allen, National Figure, Also Hero In Home Town,

The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 21, 1932,

p. 7, cols. 1-2.  NOTE: Click Image To Enlarge.

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Below is the text of a number of articles related to the subject of today's Historic Pelham Blog posting.  Each is followed by a link and citation to its source.

"EXTRA
-----
Big Robbery in Pelham Manor
-----

Pelham Manor, May 12.  --  One of the biggest robberies in years in Westchester county was reported this afternoon at Bolton Priory, the home of Frederick H. Allen, and one of the show places of Pelham Manor.  It is reported that the loss exceeds $50,000 and may reach $75,000.  One missing necklace alone was said to be worth $50,000.

No details of the robbery could be learned, but at the house this afternoon it was said that a servant was missing and suspicion pointed to him.  Mr. Allen was said to be away, in Washington, D.C., and Mrs. Allen was not at home either.  It is believed that the robbery occurred while both Mr. and Mrs. Allen were absent.

Inquiries at police headquarters were met by the policeman at the desk with the response 'that he knew nothing of any robbery.'"

Source:  EXTRA -- Big Robbery in Pelham Manor, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], May 12, 1917, p. 1, col. 6.

"$200,000 Jewels Stolen from the Country Home of Frederick H. Allen
-----
Pelham Manor Robbery Revealed When Mrs. Allen Returns from Manhattan -- Had Left Valuables in a Drawer in Her Haste to Go to Joffre Reception.

[SPECIAL DESPATCH TO THE HERALD.]

PELHAM MANOR, N. Y., Saturday.  -- It became known to-day that jewels valued at $200,000 were stolen in a mysterious manner from Bolton Priory, the country home of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick H. Allen here on Friday during the absence of the family.  The Chief of Police, Mr. Marks, said to-night that he had a clew [i.e., clue] to the robbery and expected to make an arrest within a short time.

The robbery occurred while Mr. Allen was in Washington and Mrs. Allen was attending a reception to Marshal Joffre and the French mission to Manhattan.

The jewels belonged to Mrs. Allen, who is connected with a prominent French family.  Mr. Allen has been interested in French relief work in Paris.  He is a member of many clubs and formerly was chairman of the Westchester County Democratic Committee.

The Allen home was entered by burglars two years ago, and after a running fight with the police two of the robbers were captured.  They were sent to prison for ten years.

At the Allen home little information was forthcoming about the robbery on Friday, but it was learned that the police were asked to send out a general alarm for a man known to the family.  A list of the stolen jewelry was sent to the New York and WEstchester county police.

The following is a list of some of the jewels stolen: --

Pearl necklace, valued at $50,000; diamond ring $10,000; diamond ring, pearls in the centre, containing a large white pearl in centre, surrounded with diamonds, $10,000; gray enamelled watch, surrounded with diamonds, $2,000; gold lorgnon chain, with pearls, $5,000; gold and white enamelled pencil, with pearls; gold chain, with saphires and topaz; gold tortoise shell lorgnon, gold bracelet, watch on gray suede strap, emerald ring, surrounded by diamonds; several gold watches, inlaid with diamonds; pearl and diamond pins and other jewelry.

Mrs. Allen, in haste to attend the reception to the French mission, placed the stolen jewelry in a drawer of a dresser instead of locking the jewels in a safe in the house.  When Mrs. Allen returned on Friday night she found that the drawer had been opened with a skeleton key and the jewels removed.

Mr. Allen was received by General Joffre at army headquarters in France in June, 1916, while in that country on behalf of relief work.  It was to Mr. Allen that General Joffre, now Marshal, made known the fact that the time and money given by Americans in the rellief work had touched French hearts.

Mr. Allen, son of Elisha Hunt Allen, at one time Chief Justice of the Hawaiian Islands and Minister to the United States, was for a time Charge d'Affaires at the Hawaiian Legation.  Twice he hs been a member of the Executive Committee of New York.  

Mr. Allen is a member of the Union, Knickerbocker, Manhattan, Downtown, City, Country and New York Athletic Clubs.  Mrs. Allen was Miss Adele L. Stevens."

Source:  $200,000 Jewels Stolen from the Country Home of Frederick H. Allen -- Pelham Manor Robbery Revealed When Mrs. Allen Returns from Manhattan -- Had Left Valuables in a Drawer in Her Haste to Go to Joffre Reception, N.Y. Herald, May 13, 1917, p. 3, cols. 1-2.

"$200,000 IN GEMS STOLEN FROM HOME OF F. H. ALLEN
-----
Jewels Taken From Dresser Drawer While Lawyer's Wife Was Attending Joffre Reception, and French Servant Is Missing.
-----

Jewels worth at least $200,000 were stolen in a mysterious manner from Bolton Priory, the country home of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick H. Allen at Pelham Manor, on Friday in the absence of the family.  Chief of Police Marks has a clue to the robbery which it is said was an 'inside job.'

Mr. Allen was in Washington, while Mrs. Allen was attending a reception to Gen. Joffre in Manhattan.  The jewels belonged to Mrs. Allen.  A servant is missing.  

Two years ago the Allen home was entered by burglars and after a running fight between the police and the burglars, two of them were captured and they were sent to prison for ten years.

Following is a list of some of the jewels stolen:  Pearl necklace, valued at $50,000; diamond ring $10,000; diamond ring, pearls in the centre, containing a large white pearl in centre, surrounded with diamonds, $10,000; gray enamelled watch, surrounded with diamonds, $2,000; gold lorgnon chain, with pearls, $5,000; gold and white enamelled pencil, with pearls; gold chain, with saphires and topaz; gold tortoise shell lorgnon, gold bracelet, watch on gray suede strap, emerald ring, surrounded by diamonds; several gold watches, inlaid with diamonds; pearl and diamond pins and other jewelry.

Mrs. Allen was in the habit of keeping her jewels in a private safe.  Selecting such as she desired to wear to the reception to Marshal Joffre, with whom she was acquainted in France, she hurriedly dropped the rest in a dresser drawer instead of in the strong box, locking them with a small key.  On her return, intending to put the ornaments away in their accustomed place, she discovered that the dresser drawer hd been opened.  The [illegible] of the servant -- a Frenchman and therefore a compatriot of Mrs. Allen -- next was [illegible]

Frederick H. Allen, a member of the law firm of Allen & Cammann of 63 Wall street.  Among his clubs are the Knickerbocker, Union, Downtown, Manhattan, New York Athletic, City and Country.  Mrs. Allen is a member of the Colonial Dames of American and the [illegible] Club.

Mr. Allen is treasurer of the International Reconstructionist League, which, [illegible] of France and Belgium after the War."

Source:  $200,000 IN GEMS STOLEN FROM HOME OF F. H. ALLEN -- Jewels Taken From Dresser Drawer While Lawyer's Wife Was Attending Joffre Reception, and French Servant Is Missing, The Sun [NY, NY], May 13, 1917, p. 1, cols. 6-7.  

"ALLEN HOME LONG MARKED FOR WORK OF JEWEL THIEVES
-----
Investigation Shows Value of Gems Stolen To Be $225,000.
-----
BURGLARY RECALLS AN EARLIER EFFORT
-----
Purchase of $10,000 Pearl Two Years Ago in Paris Led to Warning.

[SPECIAL DESPATCH TO THE HERALD]

PELHAM MANOR, N. Y., Sunday. -- More careful investigation of the jewel robbery at Bolton Priory, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick H. Allen, shows that for two years Mrs. Allen's noted jewel collection had been marked for plunder by a thief with an international record and that he obtained $225,000 worth of gems, instead of $200,000, as reported yesterday.

When Mr. Allen returned late last night from Washington, where he had been in connection with affairs of the American Relief Fund of France, of which he is the head, he discovered that his room adjoining that of Mrs. Allen, had been entered and robbed.  Among his pieces of jewelry taken, all valued at $25,000, was a scarfpin with a single pearl, which he had purchased in Paris a little more than two years ago for $10,000.

Warned to Watch Jewels.

At that time Mr. Allen was warned about the purchase, that thieves probably would 'mark' him for robbery, as in Paris it was known that he and Mrs. Allen had been extensive purchasers of jewels from time to time.  Mrs. Allen is a daughter of the Duchess De Dion, of Paris, formerly Mrs. Stevens, once owner of Bolton Priory.

Soon after that an attempt was made to rob the Priory, and after a fight with the police two men were arrested and sent to prison.  Investigation of the big jewel robbery of Friday shows, according to the police, that the man under suspicion, and whose arrest has been requested of police in many cities, was known at several at several employment agencies and that he had been seeking employment in certain homes known to possess large jewel collections.  A certain employment agency is said to have sent him to several places, where he refused to go to work.  At Bolton Priory, however, there was a jewel collection of vast value and the employment agency did not hear from him again.  That was only two weeks before the robbery was committed.

Mrs. Allen was to ill to be seen to-day and Mr. Allen said he had been asked not to discuss the theft by Chief of Police R. H. Marks, of Pelham Manor, who expressed a fear that the thief might learn the police were after him.  However, it was known that $225,000 may not cover the loss.

List Not Yet Completed.

The list of stolen pieces given to the police included only those which Mrs. Allen could remember.  An accurate list will not be made until Mrs. Allen is able to go to her safe deposit vault in New York and make an inventory of the jewels there and of the jewels, said to be valued at about $100,000, which were locked in a safe at the Priory and therefore not disturbed.  

Upon the advice of Washington Irving the Rev. Robert Bolton purchased forty acres at Pelham Manor in 1830 and he and his two sons built the Priory with their own hands and also Christ Church, adjoining.  For many years Miss Annette Bolton conducted the Priory as a school for girls.  Mrs. Stevens, mother of Mrs. Allen, purchased it twenty-eight years ago and later married the Duke de Dion.  It is now one of the finest country homes in Westchester.  

Mrs. Allen was in such haste to attend a reception to Marshal Joffre in Manhattan on Friday that instead of locking the jewels in the safe she placed them in a drawer, but locked it.  In her absence the drawer was broken open and the jewels stolen."

Source:  ALLEN HOME LONG MARKED FOR WORK OF JEWEL THIEVES -- Investigation Shows Value of Gems Stolen To Be $225,000 -- BURGLARY RECALLS AN EARLIER EFFORT -- Purchase of $10,000 Pearl Two Years Ago in Paris Led to Warning, N.Y. Herald, May 14, 1917, p. 2, col. 1.  

"CLUE TO $225,000 GEM THIEF FOUND
-----
Arrest of Man Who Looted Allen Home Expected.
-----

The jewels stolen from Bolton Priory, the Pelham Manor home of Frederick H. Allen are now estimated to be worth at least $225,000.  While the police declare they know the identity of the thief, so far neither he nor the jewels have been found.

R. H. Marks, chief of police of Pelham Manor, left his office for New York city last night, saying that an important clue had been discovered here.  He said that he is sure the author of the theft will be in custody within twenty-four hours, and further that the jewels are of such great value that there will be difficulty in disposing of them before the police can get on the trail of their whereabouts.

It was strongly hinted last night that a servant recently in the employ of the Allens who is missing has since turned out to be a jewel thief of international reputation, and that other mysterious disappearances of jewels have occurred in homes where he was employed.

Mr. Allen last night said that everything points to an 'inside job,' and that he is convinced the capture of the thief will not be long deferred.

The robbery occurred while Mr. and Mrs. Allen were in New York attending the reception at the Metropolitan Opera House to Marshal Joffre.

Mr. Allen said he discovered yesterday the thief visited his dressing room and stole several valuable scarf pins, one of which he valued at $10,000."

Source:  CLUE TO $225,000 GEM THIEF FOUND -- Arrest of Man Who Looted Allen Home Expected, The Sun [NY, NY], May 14, 1907, p. 6, col. 1.  

"Loss At the Pelham Manor Robbery Is Placed At the Sum of $225,000 Today
-----

Pelham Manor, May 14. -- No further information could be ascertained today at the Bolton Priory, this village, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick H. Allen regarding the robbery that took place there some time Friday whille Mr. and Mrs. Allen were attending the reception to Marshal Joffre at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.

The news of the robbery was published first on Saturday by the Argus.  It was said today at the Allen home by the maid in charge, 'I cannot talk, I must refer you to the Pelham Manor police.'  At the Pelham Manor police station no news was forthcoming owing to the absence of Chief Marks who is in New York.

The report obtained Saturday gave the loss at $75,000 and this was revised on the return of Mr. and Mrs. Allen to their home.  It is now estimated at $225,000.

The robbery it has been strongly hinted, was planned and executed by an international crook, who had made his way into the Allen household by being engaged as a servant.  This servant was familiar  with the location of the missing jewels and when he was sure of the absence of Mr. and Mrs. Allen, the robbery was easily effected.

A general alarm has been sent out to detective bureaus throughout the country by the New York police, who are co-operating with the local police in an effort to run down the thief."

Source:  Loss At the Pelham Manor Robbery Is Placed At the Sum of $225,000 Today, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], May 14, 1917, p. 1, col. 6.  

"Detectives Have Clew in $225,000 Jewel Robbery
-----
Home of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick H. Allen Long 'Marked' Is Belief -- Police Seek Employe Who Left Some Time Ago.

Announcement by the Pelham police that they were confident that the robber who stole the gems from the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick H. Allen in that place last Friday would soon be captured wsa followed to-day by the information that the jewels were worth $225,000, instead of $200,000, as first reported.  It is said that suspicion attaches to a man who worked as an employe in the Allen home, but who left some time ago.  

This man is believed to have been a thief of international fame, who, among other ruses, obtains employment in the homes of wealthy persons so as to rob them.

Among the pieces of jewelry taken was a scarf pin valued at $25,000, which Mr. Allen purchased in Paris a few years ago for $10,000.  It is said that Mr. Allen was warned that thieves might 'mark' him for robbery, as he and Mrs. Allen were known to have purchased large quantities of jewels from time to time.

Mrs. Allen is a daughter of the Duchess d'Dion, of Paris, formerly Mrs. Stevens, once owner of Bolton Priory.

Soon after that an attempt was made to rob the Priory, and after a fight with the police two men were arrested and sent to prison.  Investigation of the big jewel robbery of Friday shows, according to the police, that the man under suspicion, and whose arrest has been requested of police in many cities, was known at several employment agencies and that he had been seeking employment in certain homes known to possess large jewel collections.  A certain employment agency is said to have sent him to several places, where he refused to go to work.  At Bolton Priory, however, these was a jewel collection of vast value and the employment agency did not hear from him again.  That was only two weeks before the robbery was committed."

Source:  Detectives Have Clew in $225,000 Jewel Robbery -- Home of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick H. Allen Long 'Marked' Is Belief -- Police Seek Employe Who Left Some Time Ago, The Evening Telegram [NY, NY], May 14, 1917, p. 16, cols. 1-2.  

"Value of Stolen Jewels Is Reduced To $80,000 Now
-----

Pelham Manor, May 15. -- The Pelham Manor police have no information in connection with the robbery which took place Friday last at the residence of Frederick H. Allen, known as the Bolton Priory in this village, but the valuations of the articles missing have been reduced from $250,000 to $80,000.  Mr. and Mrs. Allen yesterday visited the rogue's gallery in New York and spent an hour viewing the photographs in an effort to find one that resembled a missing footman employed up to the time of the robbery.  The missing man it has been learned was in charge of the Allen house last Friday while the remainder of the domestics who are French went to New York to attend the celebration.

The description of the missing footman is given by the New York police as being about 50 years of age, short and stocky built, gray hair with bald spot on top.  In a search of the premises, was found a bottle of hair dye under the window of the footman's room and it is believed that he used this to change the color of his hair.  Mr. Allen told the New York police that he had engaged the servant who described himself as Belgian from an employment bureau in Fourty-third street.  The domestics at the Allen house have been instructed by the police not to talk to anyone regarding the raid.  The name of the missing servant is also withheld."

Source:  Value of Stolen Jewels Is Reduced To $80,000 Now, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], May 15, 1917, p. 1, col. 4.  

"Death Drops Curtain on 'Perfect Butler' Burglar and His 'Bolton Priory' Victim
-----
Commander Frederick Allen Follows Man Who Robbed Him 20 Years Ago to Grave -- Lives of Two Men Recalled in Pelham Manor
-----
By JANICE LEVY
(Special To The Daily Argus)

PELHAM MANOR, Dec. 4. -- A human drama rivaling fiction was revealed here today as the Grim Reaper dropped the curtain of life's stage over two actors who played the first act 20 years ago.

Back in 1917, the 'perfect butler,' Jacob Svoboda, was accused by police of having taken jewelry valued at $85,000 from Commander Frederick H. Allen, master of Bolton Priory, and a veteran U.S. diplomat and outstanding authority on international law.

'Major' Svoboda died a pauper in New York City Thursday.  He was eighty-nine.

Within 24 hours Commander Allen succumbed in a Newport, R. I., hospital to pneumonia.  He was seventy-nine.

Old-timers at police headquarters recalled the $85,000 theft of Mr. Allen's jewels and the subsequent arrest and conviction of 'Major' Jacob Svoboda, the man who prided himself as being 'an excellent butler.'

Captured in 1929

'The Major,' as Svoboda was called, was captured on Aug. 21, 1929, by former Chief Phillip Gargan and two detectives for the robbery at the Allen Estate, Bolton Priory.

Svoboda left the home of Commander Allen on May 10, 1917, and took with him the $85,000 in jewels.  'The Major' was credited by police with being one of the cleverest of the 'British butler thieves.'

Although police suspected Svoboda had deposited huge sums in safe deposit vaults, his body lies in a New York City morgue, awaiting burial.

As police were recalling the robbery last night they received news of the death in Newport of Commander Allen.

Members of the family were at the bedside when Commander Allen died.  They included his wife, a son, Frederick, and a daughter, Miss Priscilla Alden Allen.

Commander Allen was one of Westchester County's most prominent attorneys.  He was an authority on international law and served the United States Government on many occasions as an of-
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(Continued on Page Two)

GRIM REAPER
(Continued from Page One)

ficial observer at peace conferences.

Aided Neighbors

He never forgot his Pelham Manor neighbors, however, and whenever there were any problems to solve, Commander Allen usually was called upon to aid.

Commander Allen gave to the village what is now known as Pelham Manor Park [i.e., Shore Park].  

He was born in Hawaii while his father was on a mission there.  During this sojourn, Commander Allen's father, Elisha H. Allen, became Chief Justice of the Hawaiian kingdom and chief advisor to the native rulers.

Commander Allen was in his late boyhood when his parents returned to the United States and he entered Harvard University where he earned his M.A. and LL.B.  In 1892, he married Adele Livingston Stevens, and Bolton Priory, which nestles in the rural wooded hills, became their home.

Served Legation

Early in his career, Commander Allen became secretary of the Hawaiian Legation in Washington and later was Charge d'Affaires of that group.  In 1894, he established his own law firm in New York.

He was a member of the commission sent to Europe to study agricultural problems and rural credits and upon the report of this commission the Federal Farm Loan Act was based.  He also served as a ember of the commission which formed the Lafayette Escadrille in 1916.  When the United States entered the World War, he was made Lieutenant Commander of the Naval Reserve Flying Corps and in 1917 became aide to the commander of the U.S. flying forces in France.

After the armistice he was assigned to President Wilson's staff at the peace negotiations and served as aide to Colonel House.

Settled Disputes

Commander Allen played an important part in settlement of disputes of the smaller countries and was instrumental in organization of the Republic of Poland.

He was honored by the Polish Government and presented with the Cross of Polonia Restitute and the Star of Polonia.

Commander Allen had 14 decorations, including the Legion of Honor, French, and the Order of Leopold II, Belgian.

A quarter of a century ago Commander Allen was active in Democratic Party affairs in Westchester County and in 1912, 1920, and 1924 was a member of the Democratic National Finance Committee."

Source:  Levy, Janice, Death Drops Curtain on "Perfect Butler" Burglar and His "Bolton Priory" Victim -- Commander Frederick Allen Follows Man Who Robbed Him 20 Years Ago to Grave -- Lives of Two Men Recalled in Pelham Manor, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Dec. 4, 1937, p. 2, col. 6.  

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I have written before about Adele Livingston Stevens and her husband, Frederick Hobbes Allen and their ties to Bolton Priory in Pelham Manor.  For a few such examples, see:

Tue., Jul. 07, 2015:  Frederick Hobbes Allen of Bolton Priory in Peham Manor.

Wed., Jan. 28, 2015:  Pelham Manor Resident Pushed for Removal of the Causeway from Shore Road to Hunter's Island in 1902. 

Wed., Dec. 12, 2007:  Another Biography of Frederick Hobbes Allen, President of Pelham Manor and Owner of Bolton Priory in the Early 20th Century. 

Thu., Mar. 1, 2007:  Biographical Data Regarding Frederick Hobbes Allen, President of Pelham Manor and Owner of Bolton Priory in the Early 20th Century.

Tue., Aug. 23, 2005:  Society Scandal:  The "Strange" Story of Mrs. Adele Livingston Stevens Who Acquired the Bolton Priory in Pelham Manor. 

Jun. 10, 2005:  Pelham's Most Magnificent Wedding Gift:  The Bolton Priory.  

Tue., May 3, 2005:  Colonel Frederick Hobbes Allen, An Owner of Bolton Priory in Pelham Manor.

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