Dickson, Amanda America (1849–1893)

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Dickson, Amanda America (1849–1893)

African-American landowner. Born in 1849 in Georgia; died 1893 in Georgia; dau. of Julia Frances Lewis, 13-year-old slave who was raped by white plantation owner David Dickson; attended Normal School of Atlanta University, 1876–78; married white 1st cousin, Charles Eubanks, 1866 (div. 1870); m. Nathan Toomer, 1892 (who would later marry Nina Pinchback and father Jean Toomer, the writer); children: Julian Henry and Charles Green Eubanks.

Though legally a slave until 1864, was raised in luxury by father and paternal grandmother; inherited father's fortune (1885), including 17,000 acres of land, which angered his white relations who contested the will; saw will upheld in court.

See also Kent Anderson Leslie, Woman of Color, Daughter of Privilege: Amanda America Dickson, 1849–1893 (U. of Georgia, 1993).