She worked as a maid and became a landowner and philanthropist .
Lisette Denison Forth ( c. 1786 -- August 7 , 1866 ) was an African - American woman from Michigan who was born a slave .
Lisette Denison Forth worked as a maid and became a landowner and philanthropist .
Lisette Denison Forth ( c. 1786 -- August 7 , 1866 ) was an African - American woman from Michigan who was born a slave .