Susannah Maxwell

Susannah Augusta Maxwell (; 10 March 1805 – 11 February 1923) was a prominent Black citizen of Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Early life Maxwell was born in Pennsylvania in 1805 to free Black parents, but orphaned at a young age. She became an indentured servant to a white family, who apparently provided some education as she learned to read and write. Sources mention that the family treated her fairly well and sent her to school. Due to the aftermath, Black residents fled through the Underground Railroad and lived in New York. Susannah's name was not mentioned in the documentation of this resistance. However, her presence in the village that was invaded, and resisted, and her flight from Pennsylvania corroborates the narrative of where many fled, due to fear of imprisonment. However, it became apparent that finding work was difficult after living in Toronto for a few years. Henry worked as a stoker and Susannah, along with two of her daughters, operated a laundry business from their home.