William Allen (Quaker minister)


William Allen 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.
Allen was born April 2, 1821 in the United States, 40 years before the American Civil War in the state of 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 4 years to the profit of the white members of the family.
Allen, though granted his freedom, could not enjoy his liberty. He was very aware there were those who wanted to limit his newly found rights and freedom for personal gain. His color, physical location, stature made him a commodity of value in a system that supported human trafficking. Knowing human nature was a threat to the freedoms afforded to him by his father's will, Allen 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 occasionally shared his life experience during his ministry, reciting personal memories despite the mental and physical toll remembering would take on his person. Eventually, William ceased from sharing this portion of this life, when he realized that this portion of his life became a cabinet of curiosities for some, not creating a climate of peace or bringing them any closer to his life's mission for God.
"I went from Yearly meeting to Mariposa and spent one week with dear friends there where I used to live. Praise the Lord for his many blessings that came to me while in the neighborhood. I went from there to Uxbridge and spent a week with Friends there. Gave a lecture on slavery while there which everybody seemed to be delighted. I spoke an hour and a half then the people said "go on, go on". So I thought it was better to close. They sang a real cheering hymn. Some others spoke and then we closed."
"After visiting some families in the limits of those meetings, I went to Alfred Phelps' near Cannifton north of Belleville & visited some isolated friends through that section which were delightful. Much good can be accomplished in visiting such dear children that God has placed in isolated places who may not always be privileged to meet at the house of God. May the Lord draw many hearts in that direction."
Allen mentored 37 youths into the service of Ministry, more than 20 are recorded as ministers among the Friends, some ministering internationally, creating a lasting legacy for the Quaker faith and a clear path for countless so that they would know God.
Williams' many travels also brought him in contact with a number visitors who acknowledged his impeccable character, significant stature, memory for scripture and oratory gift; interactions are recounted and set to paper throughout Canada, the United States and England.
Allen never married, dedicating his life to ministry. Attributes of William Allen are further supported within his personal journal spanning 5 years of his travels in Canada and the United States, William Allen's Memorandum Book; 1887 -1891. The journal is located at the Quaker archives in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada.
Timeline of William Allen
In the words of those who spent time with him, and in words of his era, William Allen a…
" … Negro Friends Minister for the glory of the heights to which he had risen is greatly enhanced by the knowledge of the depth from which he emerged."