Born in Indiana as A. Macon Bolling, he moved to New England at some point in the early 1840s and changed his name to Macon Bolling Allen in Boston in January 1844. Soon after, Allen moved to Portland, Maine and studied law, working as an apprentice to Samuel Fessenden, a local abolitionist and attorney.
Born in Indiana as A. Macon Bolling, he relocated to New England sometime during the early 1840s and changed his name to Macon Bolling Allen in Boston in January 1844. Shortly thereafter, Allen moved to Portland, Maine and pursued legal studies, working under the guidance of Samuel Fessenden, a local abolitionist and attorney.