Who Was Allen Allensworth? | From Slave to Colonel

Slavery is an important part of American history. Basically, without it, this country would most likely not exist. At least, it would look nothing like it does today. Unfortunately, we tend to look at it from afar. Even worse, we miss the lessons of many of the individual stories that helped shape our culture. One such story is the story of Colonel Allen Allensworth.

The Allen Allensworth Story

So, who was Allen Allensworth?

The story of Allen Allensworth is so powerful because it shows what is possible. He was born as a slave. As a former slave, he became a soldier. Later, that soldier presented himself as a leader and a man of God. Ultimately, he founded the first town in California of and by black people.

Born a Slave

Allensworth came into the world as a slave. Obviously, his fortune was uncertain. Through determination, he learned to read and grew into an intelligent man. Eventually, he used that intelligence to gain his freedom.

Family

In 1842, Allen was born into slavery in Louisville, Kentucky as the youngest child of Phylis and Levi Allensworth. Immediately, he had a benefit that many others born under these conditions didn’t have. His parents were married. I have no doubt that this fact served him well later in life.

The young Allensworth had seven siblings, 5 brothers and 2 sisters. It only makes sense that, as the youngest, their circumstances influenced his mind just as those of his parents. Naturally, he watched as the times and conditions of slavery affected their lives.

• William Allensworth – sold downriver to plantations further down in the Deep South
• George Allensworth – sold to plantations further down in the Deep South
• Frank Allensworth – sold to plantations further down in the Deep South
• Levi Allensworth – sold to plantations further down in the Deep South
• Major Allensworth – sold to plantations further down in the Deep South
• Lila Allensworth – escaped with her fiancee to Canada
• Mary Jane Allensworth – married and purchased her freedom in 1849

He saw all of his older brothers sold. He must have thought that it would happen to him too, eventually. The fate of his sisters must have inspired him in other ways. Seeing Lila escaping gave him proof that escape was possible. Also, seeing Mary Jane actually purchase her freedom informed him of the power of money. At a young age, life was filling his mind with possibilities.

Growing Up

A young Allen Allensworth’s faced many of the hardships that a slave boy could expect. His life began as a slave of the Starbird family. Like many other slave boys, he had a job to do. His job was to serve their son, Thomas.

Learning to Read

Usually, kids that spend a lot of time together tend to become friends. Thats what happened with Allen and Thomas. After all, young boys are driven more by natural instinct than by social constructs. As a result, when Thomas started school, he shared what he learned with Allen. You could say that was kind of like opening Pandora’s Box.

The Starbirds found out and tried to put his reading to an end. They placed him with another family. Luckily, the matriarch of the family continued his learning. She also took him to Sunday school. That didn’t sit well with his owners. Like a lot of other Whites in the south, a black slave that could read was a threat. Or, at least a problem. Because of this, they ended up taking him back and deciding to send him away. He was to be sent to work another plantation down river.

Escaping Slavery

The young Allen Allensworth arrived at the Smith property and they put him to work as a houseboy. He was no longer allowed to read. Furthermore, his new masters had him whipped if he got caught trying.

The Smiths understood that black literacy was a threat to the slave system. After all, the system relied on slaves depending on the masters. Of course, the law was on their side. The law forbade slaves to learn to read or write. And, it made it a crime to teach them.

Failure

Eventually, a cruel overseer made a habit out of abusing young Allen. The boy was 13 years old at the time. He made plans to escape to Canada. Unfortunately, his plan didn’t work out so well. After hiding out at a neighboring farm for two weeks, he gave up. He decided to go back and accept whatever punishment he had coming to him.

His desire to be free remained. As the saying goes, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again”. That is exactly what Allen Allensworth did. He ran away again. And, once again, he was unsuccessful. His owners gave up and decided to sell him on the auction block.

Eventually, he ended up in New Orleans as the property of a man named Fred Scruggs. Scruggs treated him differently than his other owners had. In fact, he liked the fact that Allen could read. He made him an exercise boy and jockey. After time, he even chose him to race his best horse.

Success

Despite, different treatment, Allensworth never lost his desire to be free. He recognized the difference between being a well-kept slave and being a free man. And, he remained open to any opportunity that would resent itself.

That opportunity presented itself in the form of a group of union soldiers. The soldiers were camped in the area. They were from the 44th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The likable lad engaged them in conversation and they learned of his desire to be free.

The American Civil War was raging and the soldiers gave him his way out. They told him that the Hospital Corps could use him. So, joining them could be his ticket to freedom. The funny part is that, while in disguise, he marched right past his master with the 44th Illinois volunteers. He was on his way to freedom.

A Sailor, Businessman, and a Man of God

Entering manhood, Allensworth made steady progress toward becoming the best version of himself. He served in the Union Navy. He proved himself in business. And, he established himself as a clergyman.

The Sailor

In 1863, Allen Allensworth enlisted in the United States Navy. His first paycheck as a sailor was his first paycheck as a free man. His ability to read and his work ethic served him well in the role.

Because of those things, he was promoted. He became a Captain’s steward and clerk. During his naval service, he served on two ships for a total of two years. Both were gunboats. One ship was the Union Navy gunboat USS Queen City. The other, was the Union Navy gunboat USS Tawah.

The Business Man

After his service, Allensworth returned to Kentucky. He began to work and study. This is a classic example of how we all can take charge of our lives. He didn’t stop to complete about the circumstances of his birth. Recognizing that he was a free man, he embraced it. He started to build.

In 1868, he joined forces with his brother, William, in St. Louis. William had been sold down river when Allen was a child. But, now William was where they operated two restaurants. The two brothers proved to be good businessmen.

It wasn’t long before they built the businesses into valued enterprises. Once they had done that, an interested party offered to buy them from them. Apparently the offer was a good one. At least, it was a good offer in their eyes. As a result, the brothers sold the businesses and moved on.

The Man of God

Later he became more involved in the church. He joined the baptist minister the Fifth Street Baptist Church. Henry Adams was the church’s pastor. Like other pursuits in his life, he continued to seek growth. Because of that, in 1871, church leadership ordained him as a Baptist minister.

Church and Community

Fundamentally, as a church leader, he set the example. Working as a teacher and financial agent of the General Association of the Colored Baptists in Kentucky, he led. Additionally, he also helped to found The State University and served on the Board of Trustees. All the while, he used his role as a church leader to help build the community. That skill would be useful later because it helped him in founding the town of Allensworth.

Back in Louisville, he became pastor of the Harney Street Baptist Church. He leveraged his talents to reorganize the church and grow the membership. They also renamed it. The church became the Centennial Baptist Church. The church was so well run that the American Baptist Home Mission Society of America named it a model church. It was long before the church grew 5 times over. Together, the larger congregation built a new church building.

Marriage and Politics

He married Josephine Leavell in 1877. She was an excellent pianist and organist. She was also a music teacher. Allen and Josephine had two daughters, Eva and Nella. They rounded out their household with Allen’s mother Phylis who, after a long life, passed away several months later. She was 96 years old.

His leadership experience and penchant for public speaking had a natural consequence. He was drawn toward the political scene. He excelled at it. In fact, in both 1880 and 1884, he was chosen as a delegate to the Republican National Conventions. He was the only black delegate selected.

Essentially, his actions showed that Allen Allensworth was what he’d become known for, a builder.

Allen Allensworth the Soldier

Allen Allensworth’s desire to teach and guide other blacks eventually led him back to the military. This time, it was the United States Army. In 1886, President Grover Cleveland appointed him chaplain of the 24th Infantry. At that time, he became the first and only black chaplain in the U.S. Army.

A Black Chaplain

As a military chaplain, assigned to the 24th infantry regiment, he had a huge responsibility. Segregation was still a fact between the white soldier and the black soldier. The US Army was still a long way from integration. Ultimately, he was responsible for both the spiritual health and the education of the black soldiers. Black chaplains, like himself, were few in number. So, naturally, he was the first black officer many of them had ever seen. For many, he was the ONLY black officer that they would see during their service.

Fun Fact: Allensworth’s unit, was one of several different units known as Buffalo Soldiers. The units carrying that nickname were the 9th and 10th cavalry, as well as the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st infantry regiments. These professional soldiers were the first all Black units maintained in the peacetime Army. Later, the Army reorganized the infantry units into the 24th and 25th infantry regiments.

Heading West

Allen Allensworth, along with his family traveled the country as a soldier. His travels took him away from the south and out west. The following are some of the places he was stationed.

• New Mexico Territory, Fort Bayard
• Indian Territory, Fort Supply
• Montana, Fort Harrison

His wife, ever in support of her husband, played the organ during service at the chapels.

Serving in his role as chaplain was a family affair. He and his wife were an example of what can be accomplished as a team. She supported him and his career flourished. In turn, the family prospered. Over time, Army leaders promoted him to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. And, he was the first African American to earn that rank.

He retired from military service in 1906.

Allen Allensworth the Founder

Once retired from the military, Allen Allensworth settled in Los Angeles with his family. Although retired from the Army, he was far from retiring in life. As he saw it, there was more work to be done. He dreamed of a place where African Americans could live free. Not just free from slavery but also free from discrimination. Just like notable black figure Bridget “Biddy” Mason, the west offered a different life for Blacks.

Allensworth, California

Simply put, the town of Allensworth was the manifestation of his dream. Basically, he was set on creating a new image of Blacks in America. Ultimately, his dream was to encourage a new attitude a place where black people lived…

Founding

He founded Allensworth in 1908. The location was in Tulare county, California. It was positioned about thirty miles north of Bakersfield, CA. That placed it in the San Joaquin Valley about 250 miles southeast of San Francisco. The location provided a water supply and all the other resources necessary to build a thriving town.

Soon, he articulated his vision and others quickly began to see it. Black settlers began to come from near and far. Overwhelmingly, they all wanted to be a part of what he was trying to build. When asked why he came to the Allensworth community, one settler from North Carolina was quoted as saying,

“I am trying to prove to the white man beyond a shadow of doubt that the Negro is capable of self-respect and self-control.”

Allensworth Settler

The new arrivals to Allensworth built homes. They laid out streets naming them after notable black people or white abolitionists. For instance, streets had names taken from figures like; Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Harriet Beecher Stowe.

And, together, they put up public buildings. The town was made up of around 900 acres of deeded land. Under the former chaplain’s leadership, they established a church to serve as the center of the community.

The town had all of the essential elements. There was a Post Office and general stores. And, an agreement with the Pacific Farming Company to supply sufficient water for irrigation.

A Society

The black community was thriving. They had become a member of the county school district and the regional library system. It was also established as a voting precinct. The residents even elected the first Black Justice of the Peace in post-Mexican California.

In addition, plenty of social and educational organizations for both kids and adults flourished. Some of the one for children were…

• Campfire Girls
• Girls’ Glee Cub
• Children’s Savings Association

and for adults…

• Sewing Circle
• Whilst Club
• Debating Society
• Theater Club

Colonel Allensworth admired the famous African-American educator Booker T. Washington. Washington had founded and led the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. It was to be “a Normal School for colored teachers at Tuskegee.” Essentially, it was a center for black excellence and improvement. Allen had the same vision for Allensworth. He envisioned a self-sufficient black community that would be seen as the “Tuskegee of the West”.

Decline

The town faced several obstacles that eventually caused it to fail. perhaps, it might have been able to survive one of these events in a vacuum. However, the collection of circumstance made it impossible.

Allensworth was an agrarian society. Its basic economy came from the cultivation of a variety of crops;

• Alfalfa
• Grain
• Sugar Beets
• Cotton

and raising animals like;

• Dairy Cattle
• Chickens
• Turkeys
• Belgian Hares (Rabbits)

Although, in the beginning, conditions were great for building a community, things changed. Eventually, waterway diversions, extensive irrigation, and deep-well pumping in neighboring areas made an impact. Basically, they drastically lowered the supply of water available to meet the towns needs.

On September 14th, 1914, Allen Allensworth died at the age of 72. His death occurred under unfortunate circumstances. While in Monrovia, California, he was struck by a motorcycle and killed. The town lost its founder and a valuable leader.

To make matters worse, the Santa Fe Railroad removed its Allensworth stop that same year. They relocated the rail line stop to the nearby town of Alpaugh. As a result, the community lost a big part of its economic base.

Exodus

It became increasingly difficult to further develop the agricultural and ranching industry. The community didn’t have the water they needed. This prevented them from assuming their envisioned place in the San Joaquin Valley economy.

During the 1920s and 1930s, people started to leave the community. They went to work in other places and other jobs. On top of that, World War II was raging. And, the US military needed warm bodies to send into the fight.

Those who were left behind, tried new ways of making it work. Some explored new farming methods. Others, tried their hands at different businesses. Some of those who kept farming tried drilling their own wells.

The death-nail came in 1966. That year, officials found dangerous levels of arsenic in the drinking water.

The Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park

Colonel Allen Allensworth legacy is preserved by the historic park named in his honor. It stands in the same place as the town that carried his name as well. It took a series of deliberate events to bring it into existence. Here’s a timeline;

• 1968 – Cornelius “Ed” Pope (former resident of Allensworth) wrote a proposal to restore the town as a historical site.
• 1972 – The National Park Service added the “Allensworth Historic District” to the National Register of Historic Places.
• 1974 – Then Governor Ronald Reagan authorized the parks establishment.
• 1976 – Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park is established on 240 acres.

On the site, you will find nine restored buildings;

• Schoolhouse
• Hotel
• General Store
• Library
• and several homes.

There is also a visitor center. Visitors can make advanced arrangements and experience a tour of the location. Or, if they prefer or are visiting on a whim, they can learn through a video presentation. The video presentation is entitled, “The Spirit of Allensworth.”

There are also fifteen campsites. They will accommodate both RVs and tents and visitors can camp year round. Basically, each site provides a picnic table and a camp stove. Also, there are flush toilets nearby.

In addition, the facilities are designed with handicap access in mind. Thanks to the California Conservation Corps tree planting efforts, plenty of shade is available as well.

The department hosts events throughout the year commemorating the area’s history.

In October 2008, the Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park celebrated its 100th anniversary.

Learn more about Allen Allensworth, in a book about the man.

Battles and Victories of Allen Allensworth