SUSANNAH DICKINSON

'Susannah Wilkerson Dickinson' (1814 – October 7, 1883) was among the survivors of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo during the Texas Revolution, where her husband and 182 other defenders were killed by the Mexican Army.
Susannah Wilkerson was born c. 1814 in Tennessee, but little is known of her early life. On May 24, 1829, at the age of 15, she married Almeron Dickinson. He was a DeWitt Colonist and a member of the Old Gonzales 18. Justice of the Peace Joseph W. McKean officiated the ceremony.
She was present in the Alamo compound during the 13-day siege and subsequent Battle of the Alamo, in which her husband Almeron was a casualty on March 6, 1836, in San Antonio, Texas. Dickinson's life was spared by General and President Antonio López de Santa Anna, and she would later become the most extensively quoted eyewitness source to the final and subsequent events of the Alamo defeat.
During the battle, Susannah was injured in the leg or ankle by a bullet, either stray or intentional. She was found by English-speaking General Juan Almonte who said to her, "If you wish to save your life, follow me." She was escorted from her hiding place in the chapel. Almeron and Susannah Dickinson's 15-month-old daughter Angelina Elizabeth (1834-1871) was also a survivor. According to Susannah, when she was escorted into Santa Anna's quarters, she found Angelina sitting on the lap of the dictator.
Susannah was released and sent to Gonzales, Texas, by Santa Anna. She was escorted by one or more servants with a letter dated March 7, 1836. After her arrival in Gonzales, General Sam Houston burned the town and retreated toward East Texas, beginning what became known as the Runaway Scrape.
Susannah died in 1883 and was buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Austin, Texas, with the following inscription:
"Sacred to the Memory of Susan A. Wife of J. W. Hannig Died Oct. 7, 1883 Aged 68 Years."
The marble marker was placed there by Hannig. The marble slab was later added by the state on March 2, 1949. Her second husband Hannig was buried beside her after he died in 1890.
A cenotaph honoring Susanna Wilkerson Dickinson was placed in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, Texas.

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External links

External links

★ McArdle Collection Texas State Library and Archive

★ Susanna Dickinson