Lisette Denison Forth
Encyclopedia
Lisette Denison Forth was an African-American woman from Michigan
who was born a slave. She worked as a maid and became a landowner and philanthropist.
, who encouraged them to sue for the freedom of their children under the Northwest Ordinance
, which prohibited slavery in the territory. In 1807, the Michigan Supreme Court
heard the case, but ruled that only the youngest of the Denison children, born after the Northwest Ordinance took effect, could be freed.
Soon afterward, Judge Augustus B. Woodward
ruled that the Michigan Territory
had no obligation to return slaves who had been freed by establishing residence in Canada
to slavery. Following this legal precedent, Lisette and her brother crossed into Canada shortly afterward to establish residency and gain their freedom.
in the 1820s. She enjoyed a close relationship with her employers, and invested her pay in land. In 1825, she purchased four lots in Pontiac, Michigan
, becoming the first black property owner in the city. However, she never lived in the city, leasing the lots to he brother Scipio and eventually selling them in 1836/37. The property now forms part of Oak Hill Cemetery, and a state of Michigan historical marker commemorates her ownership.
In 1827, Lisette married Scipio Forth, the owner of a freight business; she was apparently widowed three years later.
In 1831, Lisette joined the household of John Biddle
, mayor of Detroit and founder of Wyandotte, Michigan
. She continued to invest, buying stock in a steamboat and bank, and in 1837 a lot in Detroit. Lisette spent much of her time at Biddle's Wyandotte estate, eventually following the Biddles to Philedelphia in 1849. By 1854 she was back in Detroit, living in her own home at a lot located at what is now 328 Macomb Street (the site is degignated a state of Michigan Historic Site). The Biddles asked her to come to Paris
to tend to the ailing Eliza, Biddle's wife. As before, Lisette had good relations with her employers and had become good friends with Eliza Biddle; the two women, both Episcopalians
, made a vow to eventually build a chapel.
Lisette returned to Michigan in 1856, entering the employ of John Biddle's son, William S. Biddle, at his estate on Grosse Ile, an exclusively white upper-class community. She died on August 7, 1866 (shortly after Eliza Biddle's death), and is interred in Elmwood Cemetery
.
to design the structure. James Biddle also built an altar cross, and a kneeling bench and reading stand for the minister. Construction began in 1867 and was completed in 1868. The first services in the church, conducted by Rev. Moses Hunter, were held in the spring of 1868.
Bishop Samuel Allen McCoskry
consecrated the church in July 1868; in his later report to the diocese, he stated:
The church's red doors are dedicated to the memory and benevolence of Lisette Denison Forth, and a state of Michigan historical marker located on the site commemorates both the church and Lisette Denison Forth.
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
who was born a slave. She worked as a maid and became a landowner and philanthropist.
Early life
Elisabeth (Lisette) Denison Forth was born as a slave in 1786 near Detroit, the second of Peter and Hannah Denison's six children. Her family was owned by William and Catherine Tucker; her father worked on the family farm and her mother worked in the Tucker's house. When William Tucker died in 1805, he specified that Peter and Hannah Denison would be freed after Catherine Tucker's death, but willed the Denison children to his brother. The next year, Peter and Hannah Denison were freed and went to work for Elijah BrushElijah Brush
Elijah Brush was a lawyer and politician from Detroit, Michigan.-Early life:Elijah Brush was born in Bennington, Vermont in approximately 1772, the son of Colonel Nathaniel Brish and Samantha Parker. Brush graduated from Dartmouth College and came to Detroit in 1798.Brush married Adelaide Askin ,...
, who encouraged them to sue for the freedom of their children under the Northwest Ordinance
Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance was an act of the Congress of the Confederation of the United States, passed July 13, 1787...
, which prohibited slavery in the territory. In 1807, the Michigan Supreme Court
Michigan Supreme Court
The Michigan Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is known as Michigan's "court of last resort" and consists of seven justices who are elected to eight-year terms. Candidates are nominated by political parties and are elected on a nonpartisan ballot...
heard the case, but ruled that only the youngest of the Denison children, born after the Northwest Ordinance took effect, could be freed.
Soon afterward, Judge Augustus B. Woodward
Augustus B. Woodward
Augustus Brevoort Woodward was the first Chief Justice of the Michigan Territory. In that position, he played a prominent role in the planning and reconstruction of Detroit following a devastating fire.Woodward never married. His biographer, Arthur M...
ruled that the Michigan Territory
Michigan Territory
The Territory of Michigan was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from June 30, 1805, until January 26, 1837, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Michigan...
had no obligation to return slaves who had been freed by establishing residence in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
to slavery. Following this legal precedent, Lisette and her brother crossed into Canada shortly afterward to establish residency and gain their freedom.
Freedom
The two Denisons returned to Detroit in approximately 1815. Lisette became a domestic servant, working for Solomon SibleySolomon Sibley
Solomon Sibley was a United States politician and jurist in the Michigan Territory.-Early life: 1769–1815:...
in the 1820s. She enjoyed a close relationship with her employers, and invested her pay in land. In 1825, she purchased four lots in Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan named after the Ottawa Chief Pontiac, located within the Detroit metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 59,515. It is the county seat of Oakland County...
, becoming the first black property owner in the city. However, she never lived in the city, leasing the lots to he brother Scipio and eventually selling them in 1836/37. The property now forms part of Oak Hill Cemetery, and a state of Michigan historical marker commemorates her ownership.
In 1827, Lisette married Scipio Forth, the owner of a freight business; she was apparently widowed three years later.
In 1831, Lisette joined the household of John Biddle
John Biddle (Michigan)
John Biddle was a delegate to the United States Congress from the Michigan Territory.-Early life and military career:...
, mayor of Detroit and founder of Wyandotte, Michigan
Wyandotte, Michigan
Wyandotte is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 25,883 at the 2010 census, a decrease of 7.6% from 2000. Wyandotte is located in southeastern Michigan, approximately south of Detroit on the Detroit River, and is part of the collection of communities known as...
. She continued to invest, buying stock in a steamboat and bank, and in 1837 a lot in Detroit. Lisette spent much of her time at Biddle's Wyandotte estate, eventually following the Biddles to Philedelphia in 1849. By 1854 she was back in Detroit, living in her own home at a lot located at what is now 328 Macomb Street (the site is degignated a state of Michigan Historic Site). The Biddles asked her to come to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
to tend to the ailing Eliza, Biddle's wife. As before, Lisette had good relations with her employers and had become good friends with Eliza Biddle; the two women, both Episcopalians
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
, made a vow to eventually build a chapel.
Lisette returned to Michigan in 1856, entering the employ of John Biddle's son, William S. Biddle, at his estate on Grosse Ile, an exclusively white upper-class community. She died on August 7, 1866 (shortly after Eliza Biddle's death), and is interred in Elmwood Cemetery
Elmwood Cemetery (Detroit, Michigan)
Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit is one of Michigan's most important historic cemeteries. Located at 1200 Elmwood Street in Detroit's Eastside Historic Cemetery District, Elmwood is the oldest continuously operating, non-denominational cemetery in Michigan...
.
St. James Episcopal Church
When Lisette Denison Forth died, she willed a portion of her estate to her family and the rest, some $3,000, to be used to construct a church. Although Lisette's contribution provided the bulk of the funds, William Biddle, knowing his mother's wishes, supplemented Lisette's contribution with some of his own and some of his mother's money. William's brother James donated the land for the chapel, and the two hired architect Gordon W. LloydGordon W. Lloyd
Gordon W. Lloyd was an architect of English origin, whose work was primarily in the American Midwest. After being taught by his uncle, Ewan Christian, at the Royal Academy, Lloyd moved to Detroit in 1858. There he established himself as a popular architect of Episcopal churches and cathedrals in...
to design the structure. James Biddle also built an altar cross, and a kneeling bench and reading stand for the minister. Construction began in 1867 and was completed in 1868. The first services in the church, conducted by Rev. Moses Hunter, were held in the spring of 1868.
Bishop Samuel Allen McCoskry
Samuel Allen McCoskry
Samuel Allen McCoskry , was the first bishop of Michigan in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, but was deposed by the House of Bishops.-Biography:...
consecrated the church in July 1868; in his later report to the diocese, he stated:
The church's red doors are dedicated to the memory and benevolence of Lisette Denison Forth, and a state of Michigan historical marker located on the site commemorates both the church and Lisette Denison Forth.