Allen, Benjamin
(Sept. 29, 1789-Jan. 13, 1829). Poet and publisher. Born in Hudson, New York, and raised a Presbyterian, he became an Episcopalian and moved to Virginia in 1814 where he worked among African Americans at Charlestown. In 1815 he founded and edited the weekly paper, The Layman's Magazine, which was published until Nov. 1816 at Martinsburg, Virginia. He was ordained deacon on Dec. 18, 1816, and priest on May 21, 1818. From 1821 until his death at sea, he was the rector of St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia.
Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.