Dickinson Family Papers, circa 1850-circa 1883
Description
Evidence suggests that Pennsylvania native Almeron Dickinson (circa 1800-1836), an artillery captain, manned a cannon at the back of the Alamo church during the final assault on the garrison on 1836 March 6. He was killed during the attack, but his wife Susanna (circa 1814-1883) and daughter Angelina (1834-1869), who were in the sacristy, survived and were sent to Gonzales to deliver news of the Alamo’s fall.
The collection contains two white cotton petticoats, one with cutwork down the front panel that belonged to Susanna Dickinson and one with horizontal lace insertions that belonged to Angelina Dickinson. It is unknown when these garments were made, but it is not believed that they date to the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. Other items relating to the Dickinson family that were donated with the petticoats have been separated from the collection.