Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel

My parents were married near Simpsonville, in Shelby county, April 9, 1829, and to them were born thirteen children five boys and eighteen girls of whom lived to be grown. I was the fifth child two boys and two girls being older. The oldest child, a boy, died in infancy. Being poor, both parents and children had to work hard and use strict economy to make ends meet.