At that time, the academic orientation was rather technical contrary to that of the university, where art theory is very important. The teachers were renowned artists and among the best of that time.

Allen built many cottages for his workers but it was not an act of benevolent goodwill for local men as is often thought; it was a practical solution to house the strangers from Yorkshire who as blackleg labour were not welcome in Bath. He realised that post boys were delivering items of mail along their route without them being declared and that this was lost profit. Quarrying of Bath Stone
With the arrival of John Wood in Bath Allen used the wealth gained from his postal reforms to acquire the stone quarries at Combe Down and Bathampton Down Mines.

As a teenager he worked at the Post Office. He was baptised at St Columb Major Cornwall on 24 July 1693.