Richard Allen 1

Richard Allen was born in Maryland, a slave to Benjamin Chew ² of Philadelphia. After some years of servitude, he purchased his manumission, and went to that city, where he married and settled. For many years, he kept chimney-sweeps, and did considerable business in that line. At length, he commenced the business of shoe-making, and had several apprentices, though he was ignorant of the business himself, and carried it on through a “foreman.” He was very generally known, and respected for his integrity and close application to business. In the summer and autumn of the year 1793, when the city of Philadelphia was visited with the Yellow Fever, Richard, with his contemporary, Absalom Jones, ³ a much respected colored man, and minister of the Episcopal Church in that city, were very useful, being unremitting in their labors for the relief of the sick, and in burying the dead. At that awful period, it was extremely difficult to procure assistance, on account of the contagious character of the disorder; and those who were willing to render their services, generally charged such extravagant prices as to make it impossible for a large number, who needed them, to obtain their aid.