Ethan Allen

Eathan (Ethan) Allen

An Imaginary Counterpart

Many know the historical figure Ethan Allen for his work as a farmer, businessman, philosopher, writer, and hero during the American Revolutionary War. He is best known for being one of the founders of Vermont—an important piece of American history that occurred in the neighboring state of the young boys in Goshen, NH. He led "The Green Mountain Boys”—a rebellious group that fought a competitive campaign against New York for land grants in New Hampshire, and served as a militia in the Revolutionary War. Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys most famously captured Fort Ticonderoga in 1775. The connection the boys felt with the real Ethan Allen is understandable in light of his rural New England roots.

The Nelson brothers had an Ethan Allen of their own within their imaginary world. He was quite similar to the Revolutionary War hero himself. The boys were alert readers of Allen’s toughness writing that “One should also note that Ethan Allen will “bight” the heads off board ‘nales’”(Complete Geography of the World). It is no coincidence that this tough, multi-skilled leader is the alter ego of Walter Nelson. Ethan Allen is often portrayed as William Little’s enemy in this imaginary world, which makes geographical sense. Both war heroes are included in various publications and periodicals that the boys produce. Ethan Allen appears opposite William Little on the other half of the opening poems of Chit Chat issues. The multiple linkages between these heroes within the imaginary works of the Nelson brothers is a testament to the boys’ dedication to this collaborative creative process.

Eathan Allen and His Family

Despite Ethan Allen’s character being associated with Walter, Arthur writes the History of Ethan F. Allen and His Family. I assume that he wrote this particular book because of his historical accuracy within the imaginary world. Arthur even references another work and asks the reader to “(see page 21 in A W Nelsons History of Big Continent),” showing his effort to keep a coherent history within this imaginary realm. Arthur’s involvement with telling the history of the character connected to his brother may also have to do with him being older than Walter at the time. One should also note that Ethan is spelled “Eathan”—a mistake that is corrected in future books, presumably as a result of Arthur and Walter’s improvement in spelling as they grew older.

At the beginning of the historical account, Arthur introduces the other Allen family members: Eathan’s wife Mary, their 10 year-old son Jimmy, and his 9 year-old daughter Alice. He then introduces Ethan Allen as the president and fearless leader of Big Continent.

“Eathan Allen and his wife were the prettiest folks I ever saw and so were their children. Eathan Allen is thirty Mary, his wife is twenty nine, and Jimmy his son is ten, and Alice his daughter is nine. Eathan's folks lived on Big Continent on Bay Point at Picnic City. He is the great president, Eathan Allen”

As one would expect, war plays a large role in this history. Both “Eathan” and his son Jimmy lead troops (of men and of boys, respectively) to victory in battles against various other continents. The majority of the narrated action actually revolves around Jimmy and his crew of boys, rather than the family as a whole. “Eathan” only then reappears to fight the final battle against the “Long Continenters” who attack in the middle of the night. 

"The Plan of Battle"

“Ethan Allen with four thousand infantry moved directly in front of William G. Littles fortifications within 300 yards of them. Gen Mayor also was moving with the same noiseless march along an old cart road towards a small woods to the left of Ethan Allen. Gen Poroncho with 500 sharp shooters and Gen Newbern with 1000 [zouaves?]marched along this same road Gen Poroncho keeping along down to the sea shore. While Gen Newbern stationed himself a little below Gen Mayor in the edge of the woods. Gen Donelson with 2,000 cavalry is on Ethan Allens right flank so as to give battle to Burt Greens forces and Gen Lawson with 500 artillery man a 160 cannon of Allens heavy artillery consisting of field pieces Howitzers machine guns and bombharding cannon were placed on a slight eminence over looking the battle and on the right flank of the cavaliers so as to rain [grape?] and [chnister?] into the enemys ranks and to harass and annoy the white army after the plan of battle had been laid and carried out the soldiers began to make breast works and big trenches also to give out ammunition and to place the ambulances within easy reach of drivers and attendants and after sending out spys and setting sentries and outposts the weary soldiers fell asleep to awake on some guns from Allens heavy artillery the morrow to partake in the great strike that was goi[n]g to decide the fate of Big Continent.”

Unfortunately, the story is cut off after Chapter One but there is  information included about Poplington in other documents written by the Nelson brothers. This battle provides another example of the competive connection between William Little and Ethan Allen throughout the imaginary works of the Nelson brothers. The Nelson's hero proves to be a imaginary counterpart to Ethan Allen's real world achievements as a military leader and philosophical writer. His love for family and lasting legacy as Big Continent's greatest leader is felt in the various works where Ethan Allen appears.