Richard Allen (bishop) - Marriage and Family

Marriage and Family

After moving to Philadelphia, Allen married Sarah (1764-1849), who was born into slavery in Virginia's Isle of Wight County. She had been brought to Philadelphia at age 8 and was free by 1800, when they met. They were married within a year; she was Allen's second wife. They had six children: Richard, Jr.; James, John, Peter, Sarah and Ann.

In addition to the work of the family, Sara actively assisted Allen in the church. She supported work to take care of runaway slaves, including feeding and clothing them. In 1827, seeing that the ministers coming to conference looked bedraggled, she organized the Daughters of Conference as a women's organization to assist the church with their skills. Initially they helped provide material support to the ministers, including mending their garments. The women's organization continued after Sara's death, taking on more social welfare issues for church members and the community. She died at the home of her youngest daughter on July 16, 1849, and was interred next to her husband in the lower level of Mother Bethel AME Church.