Richard Allen was born on February 22, 1751 in Spotslyvania County, Virginia to parents Thomas and Sarah Keys Allen. In Virginia, he married Anna Wisdom in 1771. Anna was also born in Spotsylvania County on January 17, 1754. Shortly after their marriage, the Revolutionary War started, and Richard served as a soldier during the conflict. In 1786, they moved to Fayette County, Kentucky. They built a house southwest of the city, near what is now the intersection of Clays Mill and Higbee Mill Road. Richard lived in Fayette County until his death on January 22, 1824. He is buried in the Lexington Cemetery.
The famous writer James Lane Allen is a great-grandson of Richard and Anna.
Photographs
This photo shows the front of the house built by Richard Allen for his family. To see the location of this house on a map, click here.
Another view of the Richard Allen house, the small room on the right of the house is not original.