Jesse Carter Allen was born on July 25, 1811 in Mud Flats Tavern, Alabama. Two years later, Allen's parents lost their lives in a skirmish between the government and the Creek Indians that occurred at Ft. Mims where they had sought refuge. Allen and his brother weren't in the fort at the time and their lives were spared.

As an adult, Allen originally settled in Floridatown. In 1830, he served as the Assistant Territorial U.S. Marshal for a portion of Escambia Territorial County. On August 30, 1838 he married Hughanna Taylor. The marriage produced twelve children. Allen also fulfilled the role of election inspector for the Black Water Precinct and took the census for an area where approximately 1,200 people resided. It is believed that with the outbreak of Yellow Fever, Allen left Floridatown and relocated to Milton.

In 1842, Santa Rosa County was created out Escambia Countiy and Allen became the county's first territorial interim sheriff. The first sheriff's office was located in Milton. Allen served as sheriff until 1845. During his term in office, Allen had to enforce curfew laws, not for young teens, but for Negro slaves. Constituents viewed Allen as integrity driven, civic minded, and as having a tremendous ability for leadership. He was a prominent member of the Masonic Lodge #16, a slave owner, and a democrat.

In 1850, Allen purchased 130 acres of land, a few miles north of Milton, where he made his livelihood through sheep and cattle raising and commerce involving the lumber industry. This same area later became known as "Allentown."  In 1855, Allen became an inspector of lumber for Santa Rosa County. From 1863-1865, he served as a county commissioner while operating the Magnolia Lumber Company. During the Civil War, union troops came to the area and used Allen's home as their headquarters. Upon their departure, Allen's servants were given their freedom. But, not all chose freedom. One female servant gave up her own family and remained behind continuing to care for the Allen children as she had done for so many years. She remained with the family until her death. In 1892, at the age of 81, Allen died. Both he and his faithful servant are buried in the Allen family cemetery in Allentown. Allen is survived by a number of descendants who still reside in Santa Rosa County today.

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