The subject of this week’s story was recommended to me by a reader named Doug. Amanda America Dickson Toomer was born of the rape of 12-year-old slave Julia Frances Lewis Dickson by planter David Dickson in 1849. Amanda Dickson Toomer is known as one of the richest black women in the 1800s.
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She lived the latter portion of her life here in Augusta to get away from the 79 white family members who disputed David Dickson’s will because they felt slighted that a biracial child was chosen over them. Eventually, she succumbed to neurasthenia after traveling back to Augusta from Baltimore in 1893.
Amanda Dickson Toomer’s Augusta Home
Amanda Dickson’s home can still be found in Augusta at 448 Telfair St.
Trinity CME Church
Trinity Christian Methodist Episcopal Church where Toomer’s funeral was held. Because the earth underneath the church was contaminated by natural gas, it’s no longer in use. The original building still stands on 814 Eighth St. in Augusta.
Mother Church
Trinity CME Church is known as the mother church of the CME denomination. James Brown attended services there, playing the piano.
Final Resting Place
Amanda Dickson Toomer’s marker. It can be found at the Cedar Grove Cemetery, a historically black cemetery located at 120 Watkins St., Augusta.
Amanda Dickson Toomer
A closer look at Toomer’s gravestone. People still leave decorations for her to this day.
St. Julian Cox III is a photojournalist for The Augusta Press. Reach him at saintjulianc@gmail.com.
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