A Biographical Sketch of the late Mrs. Jane Allen
Paris, KentuckyMrs. Allen, whose maiden name was Jane Tandy, was born in Albemarle county, Virginia. When young, she married Mr. John Allen, of said county, and shortly after that event they emigrated to Kentucky. Her husband, then Judge Allen, died in 1816, leaving her a numerous family of children, all of whom she survived, except four. She was baptized by Elder Jeremiah Vardeman, in or about the year 1823, and became a member of the Baptist church in Paris, which was constituted about that time by Elder V.
For fifteen years sister Allen was afflicted with disease; and during all her illness, it was seldom that a murmur escaped her lips. Her life was one of benevolence. The poor had a place in her heart and a portion in her purse. Though for years she never entered the house of God, she took a lively interest in the prosperity of Zion; and until the last, religious conversation was her theme. Possessing in an eminent degree the principles of charity, she never spoke evil of others; and when others did, she was always ready with something to palliate or to justify.
As a mother, none was more affectionate; as a mistress, none more kind; as a friend, none more sincere; and as a Christian, none more devoted. A crowded audience listened to the sermon and followed her to the grave, whilst servants [slaves] begged permission to pay the last tribute of respect to the servants' friend. A day or two before she died, she expressed to her physician, that she had spent a sweet and comfortable day. Thus died Jane Allen, in the 82d year of her age.
============== [This document is from the University of Kentucky Library, Special Collections, Lexington, KY. It is a portion of a funeral sermon at the Baptist Church in Paris, Kentucky, of which she was a member, April, 1847. The sermon title is "The Resurrection" by Pastor Ryland T. Dillard and was published in a booklet, p. 7-8. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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