Not Just Numbers

Case 5: Conclusion: Susannah Maxwell

Fifteen Minutes

Review the details of your Case Study’s life together. Did the class find anything surprising? Did they make any assumptions that were later challenged? Is there anything specific about their Case Study that they want to know?

Details

Susannah Maxwell was born on March 10th, 1805, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States of America

She was born to free Black parents, but had to flee to New York State in 1851, after slavecatchers tried to kidnap her and other local free people

She came to Toronto with her family, including her daughter Matilda (Tillie) in 1871, and after difficulty finding work, moved to Richmond Hill

She was married to a man named Henry, but he died, leaving her to raise their children

She attended the Presbyterian Church in Richmond Hill on Yonge Street

She became a notable local figure towards the end of her life, with her milestone birthdays reported on in newspapers across Canada and the United States

She was 117 when she died and her funeral service was conducted by Richard Amos Ball for the British Methodist Episcopal Church from St. John’s Ward.