Susanna Dickinson would probably agree with
those who say, “Life in the early days of Texas was an adventure for men and
dogs, but hell on women and horses.” She will always be remembered as the
sole adult Anglo survivor that witnessed the massacre at the Battle of the
Alamo.
Susanna Wilkerson was born in 1814 in Tennessee. Her first name has also
been recorded as Susan, Susana, and Suzanna; her maiden name is sometimes
given as Wilkinson. Susanna was only fifteen years old when she married
Almaron Dickinson (sometimes written as Dickinson or Dickerson). The couple
was married in Hardeman County, Tennessee. The Dickinson’s moved to a site
near Gonzales, Texas about two years after the marriage. Angelina, their
daughter, was born in 1834.
After San Antonio de Bexar was secured as a stronghold for the Texians, the
family moved into the mission at San Antonio for safety. However, it was
here that Almaron lost his life and Susanna received injuries. She and her
daughter survived the tragedy. It was also here that Angenlina was given the
legendary ring by William Travis, which is now on display at the Alamo.
Following the fall of the Alamo, Susanna was interviewed by Santa Anna
himself and sent by him with a message to Sam Houston.
Susanna was a strong woman and a survivor, but the memory of those days
would haunt her the rest of her life. She sometimes suffered from what she
called her “black days”. She married and divorced 4 more times and is
reported to have lived in a brothel for a time before she met and married
Mr. Joseph Hannig. She and Hannig had a successful marriage until her death
in 1883.
Susanna’s tale is told by Brenda Magee,
Becky Welch, and
LaJuanna Faught.
