Amanda America Dickson Toomer fought the judicial system in the South and won at a time when the rights of women and in particular, women of color, were few.
A historical marker was dedicated to honor her legacy May 21 at the site of her former residence, now a law firm.
Photojournalism: Amanda America Dickson Toomer
Raped by a 42-year-old wealthy planter at the age of 12, Toomer’s mother, Julia, was enslaved on David Dickson’s property in Sparta, Ga., Dr. Kent Anderson Leslie said.
Toomer “was raised by his mother,” said Leslie, who wrote her dissertation at Emory University on Toomer’s life. Called “Daughter of Color: Woman of Privilege: Amanda America Dickson 1849-1893,” the book was later turned into a film called “A House Divided” starring Jennifer Beals.
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David Dickson didn’t own a fancy house in Hancock County, but he did own a lot of land, said Leslie. And when he died in 1885, he bequeathed his only daughter a fortune of 15,000 acres of land plus $500,000, which assuming six-percent inflation would be more than $3 million in today’s currency, said Leslie, making her one of the wealthiest African-American women at the time.
Seventy of his white relatives contested the will, but Toomer fought back.
Leslie said Toomer promised to forgive the debts of those living in Sparta who owed her money if they would uphold the will. Nearly 150 people had debts, and the all-white, all-male jury voted to uphold the will.
The case went to the Supreme Court, but the will was upheld, citing the 14th Amendment.
Toomer settled in Augusta at 448 Telfair St., a seven-bedroom home. Leslie said Toomer had suffered with illness all her life and died of neurasthenia or nervous exhaustion.
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Toomer’s mother outlived them all, dying in 1912.
The historical marker is part of the Georgia Historical Society’s Civil Rights Trail, according to Elyse Butler, GHS historical marker manager.
The trail has 40 markers on it, including three in Augusta.
“These markers tell the story of our shared past,” she said.
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Corey Rogers, the historian at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, has been part of the historical marker committee for several years and has served as its chairman. Butler presented Rogers with a plaque for his service to the committee and the state’s history.
Multiple descendants of Toomer also attended the unveiling.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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