Austin Dabney facts for kids

Austin Dabney (born around 1765, died 1830) was an African American who was enslaved. He became a brave soldier and fought against the British in the American Revolutionary War.

Austin was born in Wake County, North Carolina, sometime in the 1760s. He moved to Wilkes County, Georgia, with Richard Aycock, who enslaved him. When soldiers were needed for the war, Aycock sent Austin Dabney to fight instead of himself. To make sure Austin could join, Aycock said Austin had been born free.

Austin Dabney's War Service

Austin Dabney joined the army as a soldier in Lieutenant Colonel Elijah Clarke's group. He fought in the Battle of Kettle Creek on February 14, 1779. During this battle, he was shot in the leg.

Austin recovered from his injury, but his leg was permanently damaged. A white soldier named Giles Harris, who lived nearby, took Austin into his home and cared for him. This act of kindness created a strong friendship between Austin Dabney and the Harris family.

Becoming a Free Man

After the war, on August 14, 1786, the state of Georgia made Austin Dabney a free man. This happened after Richard Aycock, who had enslaved Austin, passed away. The state even paid Aycock's family 70 pounds for Austin's freedom.

Austin Dabney was given 50 acres (about 20 hectares) of land in Washington County, Georgia. He was the only African American to receive land from Georgia for his service in the Revolutionary War. He also started getting a state pension, which is like a regular payment. It began at $60 a year in 1789 and went up to $96 in 1816. Later, the United States government took over paying his pension.

Helping the Harris Family

Austin Dabney became very successful. He worked hard and used his money to help the Harris family, who had helped him after his injury. He even paid for Giles Harris's son, William, to go to Franklin College.

After college, Austin continued to support William financially. William then studied to become a lawyer with attorney Stephen Upson. William Harris later named his own son Austin Dabney, to honor the man who had helped him so much.

More Land and High Respect

Austin Dabney was not allowed to take part in the Georgia Land Lotteries. These lotteries were a way for people to get land. So, his lawyer, Stephen Upson, helped him. In 1821, the state government gave Austin 112 acres (about 45 hectares) of land in Walton County, Georgia. Some white residents were not happy about this.

Austin Dabney was very respected by many people. A writer named Lucian Lamar Knight wrote a story called "The Story of Austin Dabney." This story shows how highly people thought of him.

One time, Austin was riding to Savannah with his white neighbor, Colonel Wiley Pope, to get his yearly pension. As they got close to the city, Colonel Pope suggested Austin ride a little behind him, as was common at that time. Austin did. But when they passed the house of Governor James Jackson, the Governor ran out! He invited Austin Dabney to stay at his house as a guest. Colonel Pope, however, had to stay at a public inn. Colonel Pope found this very funny and often told the story.

Later Life and Legacy

Austin Dabney passed away in 1830 in Zebulon, Georgia.

In 2010, the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) worked with the Harris family to honor Austin Dabney. They held a special ceremony to show a new tombstone for him and open his grave site to the public. Members of the SAR believed this was the first time a "black patriot" in Georgia had received such an honor for their grave.

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