A Eulogy in Honor of George Washington
On December 14, 1799, George Washington passed away surrounded by his loved ones. As news spread of Washington’s death, eulogies commemorating his legacy circulated through the nation’s newspapers.
One such eulogy was delivered by activist and founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Richard Allen. Born into enslavement, Allen purchased his freedom in 1777 and joined the revolutionary efforts. He became a wagon driver for the Continental Army and began preaching to large audiences while traveling with the military.
On December 29, 1799, Allen delivered his eulogy for George Washington to his congregation. He spoke highly of the late Founding Father, referring to his death as “an event which causes ‘the land to mourn’ in a season of festivity. Our father and friend is taken from us.”
In the eulogy, Allen preaches that one of Washington’s most significant achievements was the emancipation of his enslaved valet, William Lee, and other people at Mount Vernon. Allen spoke of Washington’s growing sympathetic feelings towards enslavement in the years leading to his death, saying, “To us he has been the sympathising friend and tender father. He has watched over us, and viewed our degraded and afflicted state with compassion and pity—his heart was not insensible to our sufferings.” He ended the eulogy with optimism for the future, referring back to Washington’s great influence on emancipation, hoping that the nation follows the great leader towards change and liberty amongst the citizens of the great new nation.
To read more about Allen and the complete eulogy click here.
