Richard
Allen, the founder and first Bishop of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church, was born a slave on February 14, 1760 on the
estate of Benjamin Chew, Chief Justice of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania from 1774-1777.
Richard
Allen, his parents and three other children were sold to a Mr.
Stokeley in Delaware, near Dover. Allen recorded that Stokeley
was a very tender and humane man who was more like a father to
his slaves than a master.
As
Richard and his brother grew older, they were permitted to
attend meetings of the Methodist Society. Allen was converted at
the age of 17. He began preaching in 1780. Through thrift and
industry, he and his brother worked at night to pay for their
freedom.
This is
his story....
