Ira Allen, brother of Ethan, born in 1752, died in Philadelphia, Jan. 7, 1814. He served in the American army during the revolution, although at first a tory, was a member of the constitutional convention of Vermont, and was the first secretary of the state, afterward treasurer, surveyor general, etc. In 171)5 he went to France, where he purchased 20,000 muskets and 24 cannon, expecting to sell them to the state; but while returning home with a portion of them, he was captured and carried to England, under the accusation of furnishing arms to the Irish rebels. A lawsuit of eight years' duration followed, in which he was successful. During this time he published '"The Natural and Political History of Vermont" (8vo, London, 1798).