148 History of Methodism 



a devout and zealous preacher, and became the trav- 

 eling companion of Bishop Asbury, and a correspond- 

 ent of Mr. Wesley. He was a man of extraordinary 

 talents, acquired an almost unparalleled popularity as 

 a preacher, became a leader in the ranks of the min- 

 istry, and a prominent representative of Methodism. 

 He married into a highly respectable family, and 

 gained a fine social position in Carolina. In 1792 his 

 name stands in the Minutes as " expelled." He en- 

 gaged in mercantile .pursuits in Augusta, Georgia; 

 financial embarrassments soon followed, and he killed 

 the United States Marshal, Major Forsyth, while at- 

 tempting to arrest him for debt. In his flight, he was 

 captured and imprisoned in Elbert county, in Georgia, 

 but was soon released by his friends, who charitably 

 supposed him to be insane, and buried himself in the 

 wilds of Kentucky, where he engaged in the practice 

 of medicine. The Rev. Peter Cartwright, D.D., says: 



Dr. Allen, with whom I boarded, had in an early day been a 

 traveling preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was 

 sent South to Georgia as a very gentlemanly and popular preacher, 

 and did much good. He married in that country a fine, pious wom- 

 an, a member of the Church ; but he, like David, in an evil houi 

 fell into sin, violated the laws of the country, and a writ was issued 

 for his apprehension. He warned the sheriff not to enter his room, 

 and assured him if he did he would kill him. The sheriff rushed 

 upon him, and Allen shot him dead. He fled from the country to 

 escape justice, and settled in Logan county, Kentucky — then called 

 ''Kogues' Harbor." His family followed him, and here he prac- 

 ticed medicine. To ease a troubled conscience, he drank in the doc- 

 trine of Universalism ; but he lived and died a great friend to the 

 Methodist Church. * 



Woolman Hickson was received on trial in 1782, 

 and was trained for the work of, the ministry during 

 the first year by that apostolic man Freeborn Garrett- 



