Amanda America Dickson was born to 40-year-old slave master David Dickson and 13-year-old slave, Julia Lewis in 1849. Ancestors . Alachua County Voters1st Florida Election1845Gabriel Waters (father) & William Waters (son)Gabriel Waters c.1780-after 1846. Her second husband was Nathan Toomer from Perry, Georgia, and she legally was known as Amanda America Dickson Toomer. She was Mrs. her father's plantation, Hancock County, GA, United States, Charles "Charley" or Leslie Green Dickson, Amanda America "miss Mandy" Eubanks (born Dickson), Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers, 1791-1963, The Springfield Daily Union - June 15 1893, The Springfield Daily Union - June 23 1893. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. Ann Short Chirhart and Betty Wood (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 2009). . Amanda's family said her father "became devoted to his daughter . Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. In 1892, she married Nathan Toomer of Perry, Georgia. Although dozens of white relatives fought the case in court, Amanda prevailed under the 14th Amendment, with the Georgia Supreme Court noting "all distinction as to right's pertaining to citizenship between the two races are abolished, and as to their civil rights, they stand on the same footing.". Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Try again later. The problem with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Caribbean excursion wasn't the disastrous photo-ops which ranged from offensive to farcical, writes Kehinde Andrews. She was kind-hearted, generous, and charitable, and her benevolent work was indeed extensive. Her legacy is preserved in the historic marker on Telfair Street that tells this complicated story of race and family in 19th-century Georgia. Just one grandparent can lead you to many Amanda was raised by Elizabeth Sholars Dickson, her white grandmother and legal mistress. [1]:120121 Dr. F. D. Kendall, who examined her on the morning of June 9, 1893, noted that her heart and lungs appeared to be fine, but that she was obviously very nervous and anxious to return home. [1]:108, She arrived in Augusta in 1886 and purchased a large, seven-bedroom house at 452 Telfair Street, which was in a multiracial neighborhood. [1]:80 In November 1885, the trial in the Superior Court of Hancock County began, with the eventual ruling siding with Amanda America Dickson and her two sons. Her younger son, twenty-three-year-old Charles Dickson, who was married to Kate Holsey, became infatuated with stepsister Mamie Toomer, who was only fourteen years old. 20042023 Georgia Humanities, University of Georgia Press. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Amanda America Dickson Toomer I found on Findagrave.com. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. 20072023 Blackpast.org. This fascinating story of Amanda America Dickson, born the privileged daughter of a white planter and an unconsenting slave in antebellum Georgia, shows how strong-willed individuals defied racial strictures for the sake of family. . A historical marker was dedicated to honor her legacy May 21 at the site of her former residence, now a law firm. Born into slavery, she was the child of David Dickson, a white planter, and Julia Frances Lewis (Dickson), a young enslaved woman of his who was thirteen when her daughter was born. )[1]:58, They had two sons: Julian Henry (18661937) and Charles Green Eubanks (1870c. The disgruntled relatives then appealed to the Georgia Supreme Court, which upheld the lower court decision in 1887. [1]:47, Throughout Amanda's childhood, her father became wealthier and more famous, renowned for his innovative and successful farming techniques. She died at 5 p.m. June 11, 1893. Add to your scrapbook. Dickson inherited his estate in Hancock County upon his death in 1885. . who was raised and educated in Davids household. Kent Leslie, Woman of Color, Daughter of Privilege: Amanda America Amanda Smith emerged as one of the A.M.E. Church's most effective missionaries and one of the most remarkable preachers ever known. To use this feature, use a newer browser. This fascinating story of Amanda America Dickson, born the privileged daughter of a white planter and an unconsenting slave in antebellum Georgia, shows how strong-willed individuals defied racial strictures for the sake of family. Their plan was foiled. In 1793 or 1794 Suzanne married Jean-Baptiste Peltier. [3][4] Charles Green Eubanks married Kate Holsey, the daughter of Lucius Holsey, a bishop in the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church,[5] and his wife Harriet. Dr. Kendall gave her anodyne, a pain-relieving medication. We extend our congratulations and best wishes; Shortly after that birth, Amanda returned to her fathers home in Hancock County, saying she wanted to be near her papie. Charles sought to get her back, but she refused. Toomer and Dickson's marriage lasted until her death on June 11, 1893, of neurasthenia, or nervous exhaustion. Amanda and Nathan were married about a year when Amanda America Dickson Toomer died on June 11, 1893, in Augusta from neurasthenia, or nervous exhaustion, considered to be caused by an unbearably hot train ride home from a months stay in Baltimore, Maryland for her health. She learned to read and write, and assumed the social graces of white Southern affluence. Woodard, My GA History, Amanda America Dickson, http://mygahistory.com/amanda-america-dickson/. Try again. David Dickson's wife, Clara Harris Dickson, died the next day. Amanda America Dickson. It was practically a statewide scandal when it was discovered that Dickson willed the bulk of his $300,000 estate- $8 million in todays dollars- to his only child, Amanda. Sorry! Monday/Tuesday - closed. According to Dickson family tradition, David Dickson eventually doted on his only daughter. The white members of the Dickson family appealed to the Superior Court of Hancock County and to the Georgia Supreme Court. Login to find your connection. "woman of the United States has Just died. Daughter of David Dickson and Julia Frances Dickson The issue was settled when Charles died in 1871. Her birth was the result of the rape of her slave mother, Julia Frances Lewis Dickson, when Julia was twelve years old. As a child Toomer was purchased by John Toomer, who moved to Houston County, Georgia, in the 1850s. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA. The white members of the Dickson family appealed to the Superior Court of Hancock County and to the Georgia Supreme Court. One obituary said: though in possession of such riches, she made no gaudy display but lived a quiet, easy, and unpretending life. This account has been disabled. CONTENT MAY BE COPYRIGHTED BY WIKITREE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. From 1876 to 1878 she left the plantation to attend the Normal School of Atlanta University. Atlanta also has an "Amanda America Dickson" day they celebrate. During the contest of the will, Amanda purchased a beautiful three-story brick house in the elite downtown neighborhood of Augusta, Georgia, which was at the time an integrated city. Dickson left Eubanks in 1870 and with her sons returned to her fathers plantation. 1900). The union produced two sons: Julian Henry (1866-1937), who married Eva Walton, the daughter of Isabella and George Walton of Augusta; and Charles Green (1870-ca. It was an unhappy marriage and Amanda left Charles in 1870, returning to the Dickson Plantation, where she was legally given the surname of Dickson for herself and her sons. I am very apprieciative to the people who have read the book and reviewed the website. Retrieved Jul 17, 2020, from https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/amanda-america-dickson-1849-1893/. The higher court stated that the rights of each race are controlled and governed by the same enactments or principles of lawin other words, whatever rights and privileges belonged to a bastard white child belonged to a mixed-race child as well. My father ( who's grandmother was a slave of David Dickson) married my mother who is a descendant of Amanda Dickson. Amanda America Dickson was born into slavery in Hancock County, Georgia. In 1892, Amanda married a wealthy biracial farmer from Perry, Ga., but they had limited time together; she died the next year despite receiving the best medical care available. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. By 1860, David Dickson, who earned a widespread reputation as an agricultural reformer, was the wealthiest planter in the county. By the time the courts settled the Dickson will case, she had firmly ensconced herself in this new home and decorated it with Brussels carpets, oil paintings, a walnut dining room table and chairs, and books. Woman of Color, Daughter of Privilege: Amanda America Dickson, 1849-1893 (Brown Thrasher Books) Paperback - October 1, 1996 by Kent Anderson Leslie (Author) 86 ratings See all formats and editions Kindle $9.30 Read with Our Free App Hardcover $30.00 17 Used from $4.91 4 Collectible from $24.99 Paperback In the process, she opened the way for other black women to preach in the A.M.E. church. This fascinating story of Amanda America Dickson, born the privileged daughter of a white planter and an unconsenting slave in antebellum Georgia, shows how strong-willed individuals defied racial strictures for the sake of family. The Civil War, however, caused the loss of much of that wealth; for Amanda, the war brought legal freedom. Heiress and socialite Amanda America Dickson Toomer was, in her time, the wealthiest woman in Georgia, and one of the wealthiest women in the United States. [1]:128, Nine months after Dickson's death, Nathan Toomer married Nina Pinchback, the daughter of P. B. S. Pinchback, the Reconstruction Era senator-elect from Louisiana. Suzanne bore a daughter Eulalie in Chicago in October of 1796. 1., ed. The first such family was that of Captain Benjamin Fulsam, his wife, one son, and three . Eubanks. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. 1900), who married Kate Holsey, the daughter of Harriet and Bishop Lucius Holsey of Augusta. Amanda is 19 degrees from Jennifer Aniston, 22 degrees from Drew Barrymore, 21 degrees from Candice Bergen, 24 degrees from Alexandre Dumas, 15 degrees from Carrie Fisher, 32 degrees from Whitney Houston, 20 degrees from Hayley Mills, 15 degrees from Liza Minnelli, 19 degrees from Lisa Presley, 21 degrees from Kiefer Sutherland, 19 degrees from Bill Veeck and 25 degrees from Brian Nash on our single family tree. Venus Morris Griffin, one of the top real estate agents in the Augusta area, stops by our front porch to talk about her success and her upcoming book. His estate included 17,000 acres of land in Hancock and Washington counties in Georgia. The bride and groom wanted an intimate family wedding and the ability to spend quality time with those they love the most. She learned to read and write, and assumed the social graces of white Southern affluence. U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current, Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978, Your Scrapbook is currently empty. This house still stands on 452 Telfair Street. Heiress and socialite Amanda America Dickson Toomer was, in her time, the wealthiest African American woman in Georgia, and one of the wealthiest women in the United States. Amanda America Dickson Born 20 Nov 1849 in Hancock County, Georgia Ancestors Daughter of David Dickson and Julia F Dickson [sibling (s) unknown] Wife of Nathan Toomer married 1892 in Hancock, Georgia Descendants Mother of Julian Henry Dickson and Charles Green Dickson Died 11 Jun 1893 [location unknown] 0 cemeteries found in Houston County, Georgia, USA. She left Eubanks four years later and returned home to her father's plantation, where she and her mother moved into a new home that had been built on the property. Her independence allowed Amanda to further her education when she attended Atlanta University from 1876-78. This fascinating story of Amanda America Dickson, born the privileged daughter of a white planter and an unconsenting slave in antebellum Georgia, shows how strong-willed individuals defied racial strictures for the sake of family. [1]:81100 Then, in March 1886, the white relatives filed their appeal with the Supreme Court of Georgia. Explore genealogy for Charles Eubanks born 1835 Hancock County, Georgia including ancestors + descendants + more in the free family tree community. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Amanda Dickson Toomer is known as one of the richest black women in the 1800s. 16 mm, 101 min. A few days later he became ill with pneumonia and died. . Wife of Charles Henry Eubanks and Nathan Toomer By the 1860s David Dickson was the richest planter in Hancock County, with 150 slaves, 350 cattle, 600 hogs, 200 sheep and 57 mules and horses. According to the Dickson family oral history, David Dickson doted on Amanda, and Julia quite openly became his concubine and housekeeper. [1]:120121, In June 1893, with the kidnapping drama (involving Mamie Toomer, Charles Dickson, and Charles Dickson's co-conspirators) behind them, Nathan and Amanda America purchased two first-class tickets from a sales representative of the Pullman Palace Car Company to transport them from Baltimore, Maryland back to Augusta, Georgia. GREAT NEWS! Charlotte continued to prosper until a fateful night in 1830. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Nesia Wright, owner and CEO of the Georgia Soul Basketball Team. [1]:41, At the age of twenty-seven, Amanda chose to leave her father's plantation in Hancock County, Georgia to attend the normal school of Atlanta University, where she studied teaching from 1876 to 1878. She learned to dress in a modest, elegant fashion and how to present herself as a "lady". [1]:112114, Amanda America Dickson spent the last eleven months of her life as the wife of Nathan Toomer, from Perry, Georgia, whom she married on July 14, 1892. Dickson was known for agriculture innovation in Hancock County, Georgia. BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. Born November 20, 1849, on the Dickson Plantation, near Sparta, Georgia (Hancock County), Amanda America was the product of her 12-year-old mother, an enslaved house servant, Julia Francis Lewis, and 40-year-old David Dickson, a well-known agricultural reformer of that era and one of the wealthiest planters in the area. The trial was held in the courthouse, where the will was decided in Amanda's favor. The couple had one son, the prominent Harlem (New York) Renaissance author Jean Toomer. Ashlee and Nesia discuss life as the owner of a basketball team, retirement and more. In 1892 Dickson married Nathan Toomer of Perry. All requests for permission to publish or reproduce the resource must be submitted to Georgia Historical Society. On March 10, 1893, Nathan and Amanda brought Mamie to the St. Francis School and Convent in Baltimore, Maryland, an order of black nuns, in an attempt to protect her from Charles Dickson's misguided attentions. Do you find this information helpful? [1]:101102 James Jackson expressed his firm conviction against upholding the will, saying, "I would rather died in my place than uphold the will." That cotton was produced by the enslaved men, women and children of African heritage, on whose labor the wealth of the South depended. in the state died at Augusta at an eaHy hour Sunday. For newspaper articles concerning the Dickson estate and will, and Amanda Dickson, refer to The Atlanta Constitution June 12, 1893; June 14, 1887; June 19, 1887; November 15, 1885; July 5, 1885. Warren Logan was born into slavery in Virginia shortly before the American Civil War. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Jay Jefferies stops by to deliver the weather and much more! Citing the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's decision, saying that the rights and privileges of a black woman and her children would be the same rights and privileges of a white concubine or an illegitimate white woman and her children. Upon his death in 1885, Dickson bequeathed most of his wealth to Amanda. The funeral was held at Trinity Colored Methodist Church. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Press release from the City of Menifee: MENIFEE - Menifee's street projects and construction updates are getting an upgrade! In the winter of 1885 David Dickson died, leaving the bulk of his estate to Amanda Dickson and subsequently to her children after her death. Four years later, her son Charles was born. Amanda died just one year later after becoming ill during a trip to Baltimore with her husband. . Photojournalism: Amanda America Dickson Toomer Her mother was a household slave, assigned as David's housekeeper, and she was raped by him, producing Amanda. In New Georgia Encyclopedia. Heiress, Socialite. IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE & DISCLAIMER: YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO USE CAUTION WHEN DISTRIBUTING PRIVATE INFORMATION. Because of anti-miscegenation laws, they couldn't legally marry in Georgia. Coleman. Ultimately, eight months later on June 13, 1887, Samuel Hall and Mark Blanford of the Georgia Supreme Court also ruled in favor of Amanda America and her two sons, formally settling the dispute of David Dickson's will. He lent the county $30,000 to build the original courthouse in the late 1800s, but he's also known for something else. Walton, Frank, and their lawyer, E. J. Waring, were indicted by the grand jury of Baltimore, Maryland for conspiracy to kidnap Mamie Toomer. Nathan Toomer later married Nina Pinchback. Because of racial discrimination, they were denied their first-class accommodations and direct, unimpeded travel to Augusta. based on information from your browser. I am also proud of my heritage and what she has done for the people of America. As her father quickly began to rebuild using tenant farmers and establishing businesses including the Dickson Fertilizer Company in Augusta, Amanda also began to build her new life. 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