William Allen (Quaker minister)

William Allen (April 2, 1821 – May 21, 1898) was an American Quaker minister, known as the only Black Quaker minister in 19th century Canada. In his later years, he was a Meeting's Minister of Newmarket Friends Church until his retirement.[1]

William Allen with an open Bible, 1898.

Allen was born in Tennessee.[2] The son of an Irish plantation owner and a female slave, Allen was also born into slavery.[2]

On the passing of William's master and father, his slaves were granted their freedom, a civil liberty that was concealed from them for four years to the profit of the white members of the family.[3]

Allen later relocated from Tennessee to Indiana,[4] a state that would later support the Union during the American Civil War and the emancipation of slaves in America.

Allen never married, dedicating his life to ministry. He was a minister in Newmarket, Ontario from 1893 to 1897.[5]

He kept a journal, known as William Allen's Memorandum Book (1887–1891). The journal is located at the Quaker archives in Newmarket.

Allen died on May 21, 1898.[6]

References
  1. Bond, Jane Zavitz (1999). "William Allen: Friends Minister and Evangelist". Canadian Quaker History Journal (64): 51–54.
  2. Ryon 1956, p. 94.
  3. From the Auction Block of Slavery to the Rostrum of Quaker Ministry, the Life of William Allen, by Jesse M. Walton, Aurora, 1938, 8 pp. pamphlet
  4. Ryon 1958, p. 95.
  5. Willson, Ethel Trewhella. Yonge Street Quakers: the story of "The Friends" in the Early Days of York County, Ontario. Aurora, Ontario: J. M. Walton. p. 13.
  6. "Memorial of William Allen, Minister of Yonge St Meeting" (PDF). Canadian Quaker Archives and Library. 1898.

Sources
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