New-York tribune., 1896-06-04
PASTOR SUED FOR DIVORCE.
THE REV. ]. c. ALLEN CHARGED WITH
ABANDONMENT AND NON-SUPPORT
HIS WIFE LIVES IN ELIZABETH. WHILE HE Is
PASTOR OF THE BERGEN BAPTIST CHURCH
IN JERSEY CITY.


IN JERSEY CITY.
Papers in a sui for divorce have been served upon
the Rev John c. Allen pastor of the Bergen Bap
tbs, Church of Jersey City. Anna Sloan Allen. tho
pastors wife. in her petition. charges him with de-
ser,ion and non-support.
The petition sets forth that they married on
May H. 1857. in Brooklyn. and lived together until
June 1889. when he deeertel her. For two
three months he contributed her support 10
Slight extent In September OF that year he stopped
contributing In May 1890. he resumed supporting
her and for year allowed her so month. Then
his contributions became irregular. and during the
next two years his allowances aggregated abou;
$500 In may lso3 he stopped contributing. She
that during this time he has refused TO live
with her her husband. ard she has lived with
her broher-naw J. Madison Watson. in Eliza
beth.
Mr. Allen and his wife me; in Saratoga He was
introduced by her father who also Baptist
clergyman. Mr. Alien was a widower when he be-
gan calling upon her. and when they married
at the Hanson Place Baptist Church In brooklyn he
It's pastor.
Friction began almost Immediately. Mr. Aliens
parents half-sster, and a maid who had been in
his service for several years members of his
household. His wife's relatives assert that his
ardor suddenly cooled and he neglected her.
In June. 1889 she started for the summer vaca-
tion in the Adirondacks. but was taken i'll and went
to the home of her sister Mrs. Watson in Elizabeth
A few weeks later two trucks loaded with the fur
niture arrived indicating that he had broken his
home. They did not live together again.
Their troubles not concealed from the Off
Gals and congrefa ton of the Brooklyn church. and
this caused dssension and his retirement. After
ward Mr.. Allen had charge of a mission. but he
abandoned this 10 assume chair in tennessee
college He was then called TO the Bergen Baptist
Church, which Is In the fashionable Bergen section
of Jersey City and has large and wealthy conGre-
cation. The pulpit vacant from January o.
last year. The congregation had made several
efforts to elect pastor but failed. After the sum
mer vacation Mr.. Allen engaged as temporary
pastor. His elOquence. ability and anabllity maze
him popular, and the congregation demanded ina
he be called The church officials had been Informed
of his unpleasant family troubles and were ashed
to make investigation. as he had retreu as pas
tor of the Hanson Place Baptist Church. brooklyn
because of the differences with his wife. The com
unanimously elected pastor. and was Installed
three months ago ,..
Tribune reporter visited Professor Watson's
home in Elizabeth Mrs. Allen refused 10 make any
statement Her sister. Mrs. Watson. said that
some property interests had Influenced her TO lhstl-
tute the suit against her desire.
Mr. Allen refrained from seeing reporters yes
teIdav church Official familiar with the pastor
separations to have been falling In Mrs
Aliens family. and that the direct cause OF the
difference was his refusal to support one OF MS
Wifes sisters who had left her husband. Mrs. Allen
had objected to her husband keeping his relatives
in their home and desired him 10 support them sc
where which he could not afford 10 do. Another
source Of discomfort the church oricei sald was
that In the opinion OF Mr.. Allen his wife was not
subdued enough for a clergymans wife. The church
official believed that the suit was entered simpy y
to injure Mr. Alien.