Susanna Dickinson facts for kids
Susanna Wilkerson Dickinson (1813 – October 7, 1883) was a brave woman who survived the famous Battle of the Alamo in 1836. She and her baby daughter, Angelina, were among the very few Americans who lived through this important event during the Texas Revolution. Sadly, her husband, Almaron Dickinson, and 185 other Texan defenders were killed by the Mexican Army. Susanna's story is key to understanding what happened at the Alamo.
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Susanna's Early Life
Susanna was born in Tennessee in 1813. She was a smart young woman, but she never learned how to read or write. When she was 15 years old, she married Almaron Dickinson on May 24, 1829.
Almaron received some land near the San Marcos River. Two years later, they became part of the DeWitt Colony. They built a blacksmith shop there. They also invested in a hat business in Gonzales, Texas. Their only child, Angelina, was born on December 14, 1834.
The Texas Revolution Begins
Texas was far from Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. This distance gave Texas some freedoms. However, problems grew because of different ideas between the Mexican government and the many American settlers in Texas.
Almaron Dickinson joined other volunteers in the Battle of Gonzales. This battle started the Texas Revolution on October 2, 1835. By the end of that year, the Texan Army had pushed all Mexican soldiers out of Texas.
Life at the Alamo
Susanna and Angelina joined Almaron at the old Alamo Mission in San Antonio. They heard the Mexican army was coming back. They lived in a home outside the fort. When the Mexican army arrived in February, Almaron brought Susanna and Angelina inside the Alamo for safety. Other soldiers' families also came inside.
For the next twelve days, the Alamo was under attack. On March 6, at 5:30 AM, Mexican general Santa Anna ordered his soldiers to attack. The Texan defenders woke up and rushed to their positions. Susanna, Angelina, and others gathered in the chapel for safety. Susanna later said that Davy Crockett stopped briefly to pray before going to his post.
That morning, Mexican soldiers broke through the Alamo's outer walls. They killed almost everyone inside. Almaron was one of the last Texans to die.
Susanna Meets Santa Anna
On March 7, Santa Anna spoke with each of the survivors. He was impressed by Susanna. He even offered to adopt Angelina and have her educated in Mexico City. Susanna bravely refused his offer.
She and a few other Texan survivors were allowed to leave. Susanna was given $2 and a blanket. Santa Anna hoped these survivors would spread the news of the terrible defeat that awaited anyone who fought the Mexican government.
The Runaway Scrape
When the small group of survivors reached Gonzales, Texas on March 13, they found Sam Houston there. Houston was the commander of all Texan forces. He had about 400 men. Houston listened to Susanna's story about the Alamo. He told all civilians to leave. Then he ordered his army to retreat.
This started the Runaway Scrape. Many people in Texas, including the government, rushed eastward. They wanted to escape the advancing Mexican army.
Susanna's Account of the Alamo
Susanna told people what she saw and heard during the siege and final battle. Here are some things she reported:
- She said there were very few deaths before the final attack. She did not know the exact number.
- She confirmed the famous "line in the sand" story. In this story, William Barrett Travis gave defenders a choice to stay or leave. Susanna said this happened the day before the final attack.
- On the morning of the attack, Almaron ran to where she was hiding. He told her the Mexicans were inside. He made his final statements to her. Then he went back to fight. She never saw him again.
- She hid inside the chapel and did not see the actual battle. One defender tried to hide inside but was killed by Mexican soldiers.
- When she was found, a Mexican officer helped her. She thought he was a British soldier named Black or Almonte. He was actually Juan Almonte, who spoke perfect English.
- Outside, one survivor was found hiding. He begged for mercy but was killed.
- She saw Davy Crockett's body between the chapel and the barracks.
- She was taken to a house where she had lived before. From there, she could see the fires where the dead were being burned.
- The next day, she was taken to Santa Anna. Almonte convinced Santa Anna to let her go instead of putting her in prison.
- She was sent east with Joe, a Texan slave. On the way to Gonzales, Texas, she met a group that included Deaf Smith.
- After the battle, she cried for many days. She had trouble remembering some parts.
Other survivors, like Enrique Esparza (whose father, Gregorio Esparza, died at the Alamo), also confirmed parts of Susanna's story. Because Susanna was smart and spoke well, Santa Anna had her identify the bodies of the commanders.
Susanna's Life After the Alamo
Susanna could not read or write, so she did not leave written reports. But she told her story to many people. She married four more times after Almaron's death. Three of these marriages ended in divorce. One husband died.
On December 9, 1857, she married for the fifth and final time to Joseph W. Hannig. He was a cabinet maker. She stayed with him for the rest of her life.
Susanna's Legacy
Susanna died in 1883. She was buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin, Texas. Her gravestone reads:
"Sacred to the Memory of Susan A. Wife of J. W. Hannig Died Oct. 7, 1883 Aged 68 Years."
The house Joseph Hannig built in Austin in 1869 became a museum. It is called The Joseph and Susanna Dickinson Hannig Museum. It honors Susanna and the other Alamo survivors.
Susanna in Movies
Susanna Dickinson's story has been told in several movies:
- Joan O'Brien played her in the 1960 John Wayne film The Alamo.
- Kathleen York played Susanna in the 1987 film The Alamo: 13 Days to Glory.
- Laura Clifton played Susanna in the 2004 version of The Alamo.
- In 2015, Alixandra von Renner played Dickinson in the History Channel miniseries, Texas Rising.
Interesting Facts About Susanna Dickinson
- Family stories say that Susanna first turned down Almaron Dickinson's marriage proposal. So, he planned to marry her best friend, and Susanna agreed to be a bridesmaid. But Susanna changed her mind. She and Almaron eloped when she was 15.
- After the Battle of the Alamo, Santa Anna met Susanna. He was so charmed by baby Angelina that he offered to adopt her.
- Susanna refused Santa Anna's offer to adopt her daughter.
- Susanna was married five times in her life.
- In 1854, Susanna received land in Caldwell County. This land had been given to Almaron Dickinson by the Mexican government in 1831.
- She sold the land and used the money to open a boarding house in Lockhart, Texas.
- In 1858, Susanna and her fifth husband moved to Austin, Texas.
- In 1869, Joseph built the stone house that later became The Joseph and Susanna Dickinson Hannig Museum.
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