Thomas Allen (1608 – 1673) was educated in Norwich and Cambridge. Having received license and holy orders, he was appointed to the parish church of St. Edmund’s in Norwich, but was too pronouncedly evangelical and outspoken. Bishop Matthew Wren silenced him in 1636, together with William Bridge and others, for refusing to read The Book of Sports.
In 1638 Allen emigrated to Charlestown, New England. In 1651–2 Allen returned to Norwich, where he remained in the exercise of his ministry until 1662, as rector of St. George’s, Norwich, and pastor of the congregational church there.
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