Pontiac in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Elizabeth Denison Forth

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 28, 2021

1. Elizabeth Denison Forth Marker

Inscription. In 1825 Elizabeth Denison, “a woman of colour,” purchased 48.5 acres of land from Pontiac’s founder, Stephen Mack, agent of the Pontiac Company. She became Pontiac’s first black property owner, but never lived on the property. In 1827 she and her husband, Scipio Forth, leased the land to her brother Scipio Denison. In 1836 and 1837 Mrs. Forth sold the land for $930. Elizabeth Denison was born in the 1780s as a slave in present-day Macomb County. In 1807 she fled to Canada, returning to Detroit around 1812 as a free woman. At her death in 1866, she donated money used toward the construction of Saint James Episcopal Chapel on Grosse Ile. She is buried in Detroit’s Elmwood Cemetery. Part of Oak Hill Cemetery now occupies Elizabeth Denison Forth’s property.

Erected 1992 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1860.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1825.

Location. 42° 38.637′ N, 83° 16.927′ W.

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Marker is in Pontiac, Michigan, in Oakland County. It can be reached from the intersection of University Drive and North Paddock Street. Located in Oak Hill Cemetery on the north side of westbound University Drive, just east of the M-59 interchange. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 216 University Dr, Pontiac MI 48342, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Oak Hill Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Oak Hill Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); Pontiac Public Library (approx. 0.6 miles away); Pontiac Thrived (approx. 0.6 miles away); Pontiac Monument (approx. 0.6 miles away); Made in Pontiac (approx. 0.6 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Validation Testing (approx. 0.6 miles

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 28, 2021

2. Elizabeth Denison Forth Marker

Location at entrance to Oak Hill Cemetery. That is Elizabeth Denison Forth Drive street sign in background.

away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pontiac.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 725 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 30, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.