Chittenden

PENNIMAN, Jabez

Vermont Historical Magazine, No. XI, October 1867, pp 763-764
(Extracted from a section on the history of Colchester, Chittenden County, 
Vermont. A portion concerning the life of Fanny, Mrs. PENNIMAN, formerly Mrs. 
Ethan ALLEN, has been omitted and included in the biography of Ethan ALLEN.)

Jabez PENNIMAN came into town at a later period, and spent the last thirty 
years of his life in Colchester [Chittenden County, Vermont]. He formerly 
resided in Westminster [Windham County, Vermont], where he married the widow 
of Ethan ALLEN, who was then residing at that place. He was appointed by Mr. 
JEFFERSON Collector of Customs for the District of Vermont; which office he 
held during the two presidential terms of that eminent statesman. On 
receiving this appointment, he removed from Westminster to Swanton [Franklin 
County, Vermont], where he resided during the exercise of his official 
duties. He then purchased his well known residence at the High Bridge, where 
he spent the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits. In the meantime 
he served as Town Clerk of Colchester, and Judge of Probate for the County of 
Chittenden, for several successive years. He was a gentleman of the old 
school, and much respected.

Mrs. Jabez PENNIMAN, as above noted, was the widow of Ethan ALLEN, and [Mrs. 
Fanny ALLEN] was married on 28 October 1793 to Dr. PENNIMAN at Westminster 
[Windham County], Vermont. She was a woman highly esteemed, of brilliant 
mind, and a highly cultivated taste; and possessed those qualifications that 
made her an agreeable companion. She took great delight in the management and 
cultivation of a garden, which she would stock with rare varieties of 
flowers. The cultivation and improvement of wild flowers attracted her 
attention, and she made the study of botany a favorite amusement. She was 
born 04 April 1760, and was married 09 February 1784 to General [Ethan] 
ALLEN. [Author's footnote: This is the date recorded in Mrs. PENNIMAN's 
family Bible. Mr. THOMPSON has the date the 16 February 1784, as recorded by 
Ethan ALLEN in his "Oracle of Reason," and Mr. HALL states the marriage 
"sometime previous to 1784."]

After the death of Ethan ALLEN, which occurred 12 February 1789, his widow 
returned to Westminster, and resided there until she married Dr. PENNIMAN. 
Three is a fine full length portrait of Mrs. PENNIMAN and one also of her 
mother, at the house of her son, Hon. Udney H. PENNIMAN, of Colchester. 
These are oil paintings, drawn by COPLEY, and taken when Fanny was but ten 
years old. They present the unique costume of that day, and are regarded as 
highly finished works of art.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly