I’m an Allen through and through from middle TN. Just recently I’ve found out my history and boy does it explain a lot haha😂. Floyd shot his cousin my great grandpappy in the head yet he didn’t die and he then in turn shot Floyd in the chest for it and he didn’t die either. I guess us Allen’s have a way of cheating death/ a courtroom. Thank you so much for sharing the story again. It’s very fulfilling finally connecting those dots of my fathers lineage. My brother, father, and grand father are all named after John/Jack Allen. The cousin of Floyd. I’d love to know more about John Allen’s history. Any information would be greatly appreciated 🙏🏻

Floyd Allen and his siblings were my first cousins three times removed (the sons of my great-great-grandfather's brother). My grandparents and great-grandparents lived in close proximity to them and knew them well. I was born and raised in nearby Mt. Airy, NC and the story has always fascinated me. There was significant animosity between the family members of those who were killed and those responsible for the killings, which lasted many years. Decades ago, I remember asking my aunt about the courthouse shootout. Her words still echo with me: "Well, they did what they thought they had to do."

I'm a Allen on my mother's side, they were all from southern West Virginia! Found out we are related to them pretty closely. Allen's got a pretty wild history throughout Appalachia, some wild folk that's for sure lol. Also a funny twist of Irony, I am a Webb and related to Sheriff Webb that was slain by the Allen's!