Born: 1764 (Isle of Wight County, Virginia)
Died: July 16, 1849 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Biography:
Sarah Allen (also known as Sara Allen and Mother Allen; née Bass; 1764 – July 16, 1849) was an American abolitionist and missionary for the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She is known within the AME Church as The Founding Mother.
Sarah Bass was born in 1764 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, as a slave. When she was eight years old, she was sent to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she would eventually find freedom. In 1800, Sarah became emancipated, no longer bound by the chains of slavery. It was in this same year that she would meet Richard Allen, a leading figure in the Philadelphia black community and founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Sarah and Richard Allen married by 1802 and went on to have six children together: Richard Jr., James, John, Peter, Sara, and Ann. While Richard focused on his ministerial duties, Sarah took charge of the family’s finances and the day-to-day tasks of running their household.
In Philadelphia, the Allen family purchased a property for just $35. Initially housing a blacksmith shop, the building later underwent renovations to become the founding African Methodist Episcopal Church. Sarah played a significant role in the establishment and growth of the AME Church, which would go on to become one of the most influential institutions for African Americans in the United States.
Not only was Sarah a devoted member of the church, but she also actively participated in the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved individuals to escape to freedom. The Allen’s home became a sanctuary for runaway slaves seeking refuge, providing them with shelter and assistance on their perilous journeys to freedom.
In 1827, Sarah Allen founded the Daughters of the Conference, a group of women who tirelessly supported the male ministers of the AME Church. The Daughters provided nourishment and care for the often impoverished and disheveled ministers, ensuring their well-being and enabling them to continue their important work. Additionally, the women of the Daughters engaged in a sewing circle, where they would mend and create clothes for the ministers, embodying the spirit of service and community.
Sarah Allen’s dedication to the advancement of the AME Church and the fight against slavery extended throughout her life. She passed away on July 16, 1849, while visiting her younger sister in Philadelphia. Sarah was laid to rest beside her husband, Richard Allen, at Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, faith, and activism.