Susannah Dickinson
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Susannah Wilkerson Dickinson (1814- Oct. 7, 1883) was born in Bolivar, Hardeman County Tennessee, but little is known of her early life. On 24 May 1829 at the age of 15, she married. Almeron Dickinson who was a DeWitt Colonist, a member of the Old Gonzales 18 and an Alamo Defender, with the Justice of the Peace Joseph W. McKean officiating. Susannah was present in the Alamo garrison during the siege and Battle of the Alamo in which her husband Almeron was a casualty. Susannah 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 of March 6 1836 in San Antonio. Susannah was injured during the battle 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 and 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 by Antonio López de Santa Anna escorted by one or more servants with a letter dated March 7 1836. After her arrival in Gonzales, Texas. General Sam Houston burned the town and retreated toward East Texas beginning what became known as the Runaway Scrape. Susannah died on October 7 1883 and is 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 Mar. 2, 1949. Her husband Hannig was buried beside her after he died in 1890.
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