Reverend Thomas Allen (January 17, 1743 in Northampton, Massachusetts – April 18, 1810 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts), known as The Fighting Parson, was "chaplain to three Berkshire Regiments during the Revolution and was at Ticonderoga and at the Battle of Bennington where he led a group of soldiers from Pittsfield"[1] described as "a political liberal and a religious conservative.

"[2] Allen graduated from Harvard College in 1762[3] and then studied theology under Reverend John Hooker.

On April 18, 1764, he was ordained the first pastor of the First Congregational Church of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Allen "brought in" a relative to publish The Pittsfield Sun and contributed many editorials.

[2] Harriette Merrick Plunkett published his biography, Fighting Parson Allen, in 1897.