Chemical manufacturer, born at Pensher (Penshaw), Co. Durham, on 14 January 1791. He was apprenticed to a druggist in Sunderland at the age of fourteen and spent two years in London after completing his apprenticeship. Returning to the North East, in 1828 he established a small chemical works in partnership with Thomas Coultherd at Heworth Shore, manufacturing alkali. Then in July 1836 the High Works were purchased and both sites became Heworth Chemical Works. The partnership was dissolved in 1847, and Allen moved his equipment to a new factory at Wallsend.

Allen attended Wesleyan preaching as a teenager and joined the Society in 1811. He became a Local Preacher shortly after his marriage in 1821 and also served as a Class leader and Circuit Steward. The expulsion of the itinerant Joseph Forsyth in 1835 led to significant disruption in the Gateshead Circuit; Allen was among the seceding members, most of whom soon joined the Methodist New Connexion. He played a key role in establishing the Bethesda MNC chapel in 1835-36 and when the New Connexion purchased Zion Chapel in Felling Shore from the Presbyterians in 1835 Allen provided accommodation for the congregation while the building was refitted. Zion became known locally as ‘Allen’s Chapel’. Zion was replaced in 1903, and the new chapel was named ‘Allen Memorial’. Allen remained loyal to the MNC during the Barkerite troubles of the early 1840s and was one of the first Guardian Representatives appointed under the 1846 MNC Deed Poll.

John Allen married Mary Swan (1796-1889) at Wallsend in April 1821. He died on 10 August 1860 and was buried in the churchyard of St Peter’s, Wallsend.

Entry written by: DCD
Category: Person
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