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William Allen

1821 – 1898

American Quaker minister,

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About William Allen

Lived 1821 – 1898 (aged 76–77).

William Allen (April 2, 1821 – May 21, 1898) was an American Quaker minister, known as the only Black Quaker minister in 19th century Canada.

William pastored at Pelham Evangelical Friends Church in the town of Pelham (Fonthill) on 940 Haist road, from 1888 thru 1889, and this Pelham church still meets weekly now in 2021.

In his later years, he was a Meeting's Minister of Newmarket Friends Church until his retirement.

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

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.

Allen later relocated from Tennessee to Indiana, 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.

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.

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Important facts

Born
1821
Birth century
Died
1898

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Allen's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Allen?

American Quaker minister, (1821 – 1898)

When was William Allen born?

William Allen was born in 1821.

When did William Allen die?

William Allen died in 1898.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Allen

· Wikidata: Q43170853

· DBpedia: William Allen (Quaker minister)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Allen. https://biography.guide/william-allen-1821/

MLA: "William Allen." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-allen-1821/.

Chicago: "William Allen." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-allen-1821/.

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