Allen Sweet was born in 1790 in Oswego, New York and came to Upper Canada about 1806 where his family settled in Leeds County. At the age of 22 he was a corporal in the Flank Company 2nd Regiment Leeds Militia commanded by Captain John Struthers and was called to duty at Gananoque in July 1812 where he served until the spring of 1813.

He acted as township clerk and was prominent in local politics representing the area at the Gourlay meeting in 1818.  In later years he was appointed a justice of the peace; he was also an active Methodist and served as a lay preacher for many years. In 1819 he married Desire Sly with whom he had a family of five children.

Allen Sweet died January 3, 1864 in his 75th year.