The Elisabeth Samson House is a residential building which used to be owned by Elisabeth Samson, the first Afro-Surinamese millionaire. It is located on Wagenwegstraat in the centre of Paramaribo, Suriname, and is a monument. After Samson's death, it was bought by the State, and in the early 21st century, it was in a neglected state. Cynthia McLeod wanted the building restored. On 19 January 2021, the building was bought by the Elisabeth Samson Foundation, and will be turned into a museum.
Elisabeth Samson House (2016)
Image: Overzicht van de voorgevel en rechter zijgevel Paramaribo 20417482 RCE
Elisabeth Samson was an Afro-Surinamese coffee plantation owner.
She was born in 1715 in Paramaribo to a freed slave, known as Mariana. All of her other siblings had been born as slaves and were emancipated by her half-brother Charlo Jansz. Raised in the home of her half-sister Maria Jansz, Samson was taught to read and write by her brothers-in law who also trained her in business. She began acquiring property at the age of 19, but was banished from the colony in 1736 after being convicted of slander. Her appeal, heard by the Dutch Parliament, was successful and she returned to Suriname in 1739.
Clevia Plantation, near Paramaribo, Suriname
Samson's home, 22 Wagenwegstraat, Paramaribo, 2016