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Allen, William Howard

naval officer, was born July 8, 1790, in Hudson, N. Y. He entered the navy as midshipman in 1808, and was promoted lieutenant in 1813. He was second lieutenant of the Argus, and commanded in the fight with the Pelican off the coast of England after Captain Allen and the first officer were disabled. He was killed in attempting to board piratical vessels with boats near Matanzas, in the island of Cuba. His friend Halleck made his early death the subject of a tender and touching poem.

He was killed in action Nov. 9, 1822.