Sarah Allen (missionary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sarah Allen
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Sarah Bass Allen
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| Born | 1764 |
| Died | July 16, 1849 |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Sara Allen and Mother Allen |
| Occupation | Abolitionist |
Sarah Allen (born Sarah Bass, also known as Sara Allen or Mother Allen) was an important American woman. She lived from 1764 to 1849. Sarah Allen was an abolitionist, which means she worked to end slavery. She was also a missionary for the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME Church). People in the AME Church remember her as "The Founding Mother."
Contents
Early Life of Sarah Allen
Sarah Bass was born in 1764 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. She was born into slavery. When she was eight years old, she moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By the year 1800, she was no longer enslaved.
Meeting Richard Allen
In 1800, Sarah met Richard Allen. They got married around 1802. Together, they had six children: Richard Jr., James, John, Peter, Sara, and Ann. Sarah Allen was in charge of the family's money and managed their home.
Helping to Start the AME Church
The Allen family bought a piece of land in Philadelphia for $35. There was a blacksmith shop on the property. The shop needed to move, so the Allens used their horses to help move it. Later, their property was changed into a church. This church became the very first African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Sarah's Role in the Church
Sarah Allen was very involved in the AME Church, which her husband Richard founded. Their home was a safe place for people who had escaped slavery. It was part of the Underground Railroad, a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom. The Allens used both their home and the church to shelter these brave individuals.
The Daughters of the Conference
In 1827, Sarah Allen started a group called the Daughters of the Conference. This group supported the male ministers of the AME Church. The women in the group would feed and care for the ministers, who were often poor. They also had a sewing circle. Here, they would mend and make clothes for the ministers.
Later Years and Legacy
Sarah Allen passed away on July 16, 1849. She died at her younger sister's house in Philadelphia. She is buried next to Richard Allen at Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church. After her death, the Daughters of the Conference group was renamed. It became known as the Sarah Allen Women's Missionary Society. This change honored her important work and dedication.
