The only child of Alamo defender Almeron Dickinson and his wife Susannah Wilkerson Dickinson, she was in the Alamo with her mother during the famous battle. Her obituary reads:
""The Babe of the Alamo" has drifted away, first to New Orleans, later to Galveston. She lived recklessly. She aided victims of a yellow fever epidemic. She remarried and gave birth to a fourth child. And she died, of a uterine hemorrahage at age 34. She lived the life of a courtesan and died so last night." obituary for "Em Britton," (Angelina Elizabeth Dickinson Griffith-Holmes) in a July edition of a Galveston newspaper. Before her death, Angelina had taken up with one Jim Britton, a railroad worker and Civil War officer from Tennessee. It was to him that Angelina gave gave William Barrett Travis' "Cats Eye" ring, now on display at the Alamo in San Antonio. According to family, her grave was in the far back corner of Evergreen Cemetery, also called Cahill Ground. The small headstone, simply inscribed "Britton" was washed to sea during the 1900 Galveston flood.∼Alamo Survivor. Angelina Dickinson was the daughter of Alamo Defender Almeron Dickinson and his wife, Susanna. Angelina was born in DeWitt's Colony near the northern frontier border of Mexico, which is now Texas. Her father, Almeron, was a blacksmith and her mother, Susanna, took care of their home. In 1835, Santa Ana and his army moved north towards the settlements. His objective was to regain control of the area and disarm the rebel settlers. Almeron joined the volunteers fighting Santa Ana in Bexar, which is today called San Antonio. The volunteers in Bexar went to work fortifying the village and the old mission, the Alamo. During Almeron's absence, Comanches raided De Witt's Colony. Before the raid could be repelled, Susanna was "attacked" and their home destroyed. Following the raid, Susanna, with two year old Angelina, joined Almeron at Bexar. While in Bexar, the Dickinsons became friends with a Ramon and Francisca Musquiz, who were members of an influential family. This friendship would later save Susanna and Angelina. When Santa Ana's forces approached Bexar, Almeron and the volunteers retreated into the Alamo. Susanna and Angeline accompanied Alermon. They would remain inside the Alamo throughout the entire siege and final battle. With Mexican forces breeching the walls of the Alamo during the final assault, Almeron went to his family for a final farewell. After the Alamo fell, Musquiz family friend, Mexican General Almonte, rode through the ruins calling out Susanna's name. Susanna, holding Angelina in her arms, stepped out from the ruins. Either on purpose or accident, Susanna was shot in the leg by a soldier. When her wound had been treated ,she and Angelina were brought before Santa Ana. Santa Ana was reportedly so taken by Angelina, he offered on the spot to adopt her. He promised to raise and educate her as if she was his own daughter. Susanna rejected the offer. Santa Ana then provided Susanna with a horse and sent her to the camp of Sam Houston and his army in Gonzalez to inform them that the Alamo had fallen. Soon Angelina was being called "The Babe of the Alamo." After Texas' independence from Mexico, Susanna petitioned the new government for $500.00 to help her care for Susanna. The new government, deep in debt and unable to pay their bills,, denied the petition. Future attempts by friends and supporters were also unsuccessful. Susanna remained in Houston and opened a boarding house. Angelina soon grew to be an "attractive and charming young lady, who had a bent for the pleasures of life". In 1851, Susanna became concerned about Angelina's life style and arranged a marriage with a farmer and occasional riverboat captain, John Griffith. In contrast to Angelina's life style, John Griffith was described as being religious with strict morals. They settled on John's farm in Montgomery County. Angelina and John remained married for six years. During their marriage they had two boys and one girl. Their names were Almeron, Susanna and Joesph. The marriage ended after Angelina's "bawdy" behavior at a local dance. Her son, Almeron, went to live with John's brother, Joshua. Susanna and Joseph went to live with their maternal grandmother, Susanna. In 1865, Angelina was living in New Orleans. She married an Oscar Holmes. They had a daughter named Sallie. A few years later the marriage ended in divorce. Not much is known about Angelina's life following her divorce from Holmes. In the archives of the Daughter's of the Texas Republic it is reported that in 1871, her family received a letter claiming Angelina had died of a "ruptured uterus" in New Orleans in 1870, and she was buried in an unmarked grave. Angelina's life and trials have been written about in Gale Hamilton Shiffrin, Echoes from Women of the Alamo, C. Richard King, Susanna Dickinson: Messenger of the Alamo, The Papers of the Texas Revolution, 1835-1836, by John H. Jenkins, General Editor, Walter Lord, A Time to Stand, Stephen L. Hardin, Texian Macabre, & The Life and Writings of Dr. Rufus C. Burleson.
""The Babe of the Alamo" has drifted away, first to New Orleans, later to Galveston. She lived recklessly. She aided victims of a yellow fever epidemic. She remarried and gave birth to a fourth child. And she died, of a uterine hemorrahage at age 34. She lived the life of a courtesan and died so last night." obituary for "Em Britton," (Angelina Elizabeth Dickinson Griffith-Holmes) in a July edition of a Galveston newspaper. Before her death, Angelina had taken up with one Jim Britton, a railroad worker and Civil War officer from Tennessee. It was to him that Angelina gave gave William Barrett Travis' "Cats Eye" ring, now on display at the Alamo in San Antonio. According to family, her grave was in the far back corner of Evergreen Cemetery, also called Cahill Ground. The small headstone, simply inscribed "Britton" was washed to sea during the 1900 Galveston flood.∼Alamo Survivor. Angelina Dickinson was the daughter of Alamo Defender Almeron Dickinson and his wife, Susanna. Angelina was born in DeWitt's Colony near the northern frontier border of Mexico, which is now Texas. Her father, Almeron, was a blacksmith and her mother, Susanna, took care of their home. In 1835, Santa Ana and his army moved north towards the settlements. His objective was to regain control of the area and disarm the rebel settlers. Almeron joined the volunteers fighting Santa Ana in Bexar, which is today called San Antonio. The volunteers in Bexar went to work fortifying the village and the old mission, the Alamo. During Almeron's absence, Comanches raided De Witt's Colony. Before the raid could be repelled, Susanna was "attacked" and their home destroyed. Following the raid, Susanna, with two year old Angelina, joined Almeron at Bexar. While in Bexar, the Dickinsons became friends with a Ramon and Francisca Musquiz, who were members of an influential family. This friendship would later save Susanna and Angelina. When Santa Ana's forces approached Bexar, Almeron and the volunteers retreated into the Alamo. Susanna and Angeline accompanied Alermon. They would remain inside the Alamo throughout the entire siege and final battle. With Mexican forces breeching the walls of the Alamo during the final assault, Almeron went to his family for a final farewell. After the Alamo fell, Musquiz family friend, Mexican General Almonte, rode through the ruins calling out Susanna's name. Susanna, holding Angelina in her arms, stepped out from the ruins. Either on purpose or accident, Susanna was shot in the leg by a soldier. When her wound had been treated ,she and Angelina were brought before Santa Ana. Santa Ana was reportedly so taken by Angelina, he offered on the spot to adopt her. He promised to raise and educate her as if she was his own daughter. Susanna rejected the offer. Santa Ana then provided Susanna with a horse and sent her to the camp of Sam Houston and his army in Gonzalez to inform them that the Alamo had fallen. Soon Angelina was being called "The Babe of the Alamo." After Texas' independence from Mexico, Susanna petitioned the new government for $500.00 to help her care for Susanna. The new government, deep in debt and unable to pay their bills,, denied the petition. Future attempts by friends and supporters were also unsuccessful. Susanna remained in Houston and opened a boarding house. Angelina soon grew to be an "attractive and charming young lady, who had a bent for the pleasures of life". In 1851, Susanna became concerned about Angelina's life style and arranged a marriage with a farmer and occasional riverboat captain, John Griffith. In contrast to Angelina's life style, John Griffith was described as being religious with strict morals. They settled on John's farm in Montgomery County. Angelina and John remained married for six years. During their marriage they had two boys and one girl. Their names were Almeron, Susanna and Joesph. The marriage ended after Angelina's "bawdy" behavior at a local dance. Her son, Almeron, went to live with John's brother, Joshua. Susanna and Joseph went to live with their maternal grandmother, Susanna. In 1865, Angelina was living in New Orleans. She married an Oscar Holmes. They had a daughter named Sallie. A few years later the marriage ended in divorce. Not much is known about Angelina's life following her divorce from Holmes. In the archives of the Daughter's of the Texas Republic it is reported that in 1871, her family received a letter claiming Angelina had died of a "ruptured uterus" in New Orleans in 1870, and she was buried in an unmarked grave. Angelina's life and trials have been written about in Gale Hamilton Shiffrin, Echoes from Women of the Alamo, C. Richard King, Susanna Dickinson: Messenger of the Alamo, The Papers of the Texas Revolution, 1835-1836, by John H. Jenkins, General Editor, Walter Lord, A Time to Stand, Stephen L. Hardin, Texian Macabre, & The Life and Writings of Dr. Rufus C. Burleson.
The only child of Alamo defender Almeron Dickinson and his wife Susannah Wilkerson Dickinson, she was in the Alamo with her mother during the famous battle. Her obituary reads:
""The Babe of the Alamo" has drifted away, first to New Orleans, later to Galveston. She lived recklessly. She aided victims of a yellow fever epidemic. She remarried and gave birth to a fourth child. And she died, of a uterine hemorrahage at age 34. She lived the life of a courtesan and died so last night." obituary for "Em Britton," (Angelina Elizabeth Dickinson Griffith-Holmes) in a July edition of a Galveston newspaper. Before her death, Angelina had taken up with one Jim Britton, a railroad worker and Civil War officer from Tennessee. It was to him that Angelina gave gave William Barrett Travis' "Cats Eye" ring, now on display at the Alamo in San Antonio. According to family, her grave was in the far back corner of Evergreen Cemetery, also called Cahill Ground. The small headstone, simply inscribed "Britton" was washed to sea during the 1900 Galveston flood.∼Alamo Survivor. Angelina Dickinson was the daughter of Alamo Defender Almeron Dickinson and his wife, Susanna. Angelina was born in DeWitt's Colony near the northern frontier border of Mexico, which is now Texas. Her father, Almeron, was a blacksmith and her mother, Susanna, took care of their home. In 1835, Santa Ana and his army moved north towards the settlements. His objective was to regain control of the area and disarm the rebel settlers. Almeron joined the volunteers fighting Santa Ana in Bexar, which is today called San Antonio. The volunteers in Bexar went to work fortifying the village and the old mission, the Alamo. During Almeron's absence, Comanches raided De Witt's Colony. Before the raid could be repelled, Susanna was "attacked" and their home destroyed. Following the raid, Susanna, with two year old Angelina, joined Almeron at Bexar. While in Bexar, the Dickinsons became friends with a Ramon and Francisca Musquiz, who were members of an influential family. This friendship would later save Susanna and Angelina. When Santa Ana's forces approached Bexar, Almeron and the volunteers retreated into the Alamo. Susanna and Angeline accompanied Alermon. They would remain inside the Alamo throughout the entire siege and final battle. With Mexican forces breeching the walls of the Alamo during the final assault, Almeron went to his family for a final farewell. After the Alamo fell, Musquiz family friend, Mexican General Almonte, rode through the ruins calling out Susanna's name. Susanna, holding Angelina in her arms, stepped out from the ruins. Either on purpose or accident, Susanna was shot in the leg by a soldier. When her wound had been treated ,she and Angelina were brought before Santa Ana. Santa Ana was reportedly so taken by Angelina, he offered on the spot to adopt her. He promised to raise and educate her as if she was his own daughter. Susanna rejected the offer. Santa Ana then provided Susanna with a horse and sent her to the camp of Sam Houston and his army in Gonzalez to inform them that the Alamo had fallen. Soon Angelina was being called "The Babe of the Alamo." After Texas' independence from Mexico, Susanna petitioned the new government for $500.00 to help her care for Susanna. The new government, deep in debt and unable to pay their bills,, denied the petition. Future attempts by friends and supporters were also unsuccessful. Susanna remained in Houston and opened a boarding house. Angelina soon grew to be an "attractive and charming young lady, who had a bent for the pleasures of life". In 1851, Susanna became concerned about Angelina's life style and arranged a marriage with a farmer and occasional riverboat captain, John Griffith. In contrast to Angelina's life style, John Griffith was described as being religious with strict morals. They settled on John's farm in Montgomery County. Angelina and John remained married for six years. During their marriage they had two boys and one girl. Their names were Almeron, Susanna and Joesph. The marriage ended after Angelina's "bawdy" behavior at a local dance. Her son, Almeron, went to live with John's brother, Joshua. Susanna and Joseph went to live with their maternal grandmother, Susanna. In 1865, Angelina was living in New Orleans. She married an Oscar Holmes. They had a daughter named Sallie. A few years later the marriage ended in divorce. Not much is known about Angelina's life following her divorce from Holmes. In the archives of the Daughter's of the Texas Republic it is reported that in 1871, her family received a letter claiming Angelina had died of a "ruptured uterus" in New Orleans in 1870, and she was buried in an unmarked grave. Angelina's life and trials have been written about in Gale Hamilton Shiffrin, Echoes from Women of the Alamo, C. Richard King, Susanna Dickinson: Messenger of the Alamo, The Papers of the Texas Revolution, 1835-1836, by John H. Jenkins, General Editor, Walter Lord, A Time to Stand, Stephen L. Hardin, Texian Macabre, & The Life and Writings of Dr. Rufus C. Burleson.
""The Babe of the Alamo" has drifted away, first to New Orleans, later to Galveston. She lived recklessly. She aided victims of a yellow fever epidemic. She remarried and gave birth to a fourth child. And she died, of a uterine hemorrahage at age 34. She lived the life of a courtesan and died so last night." obituary for "Em Britton," (Angelina Elizabeth Dickinson Griffith-Holmes) in a July edition of a Galveston newspaper. Before her death, Angelina had taken up with one Jim Britton, a railroad worker and Civil War officer from Tennessee. It was to him that Angelina gave gave William Barrett Travis' "Cats Eye" ring, now on display at the Alamo in San Antonio. According to family, her grave was in the far back corner of Evergreen Cemetery, also called Cahill Ground. The small headstone, simply inscribed "Britton" was washed to sea during the 1900 Galveston flood.∼Alamo Survivor. Angelina Dickinson was the daughter of Alamo Defender Almeron Dickinson and his wife, Susanna. Angelina was born in DeWitt's Colony near the northern frontier border of Mexico, which is now Texas. Her father, Almeron, was a blacksmith and her mother, Susanna, took care of their home. In 1835, Santa Ana and his army moved north towards the settlements. His objective was to regain control of the area and disarm the rebel settlers. Almeron joined the volunteers fighting Santa Ana in Bexar, which is today called San Antonio. The volunteers in Bexar went to work fortifying the village and the old mission, the Alamo. During Almeron's absence, Comanches raided De Witt's Colony. Before the raid could be repelled, Susanna was "attacked" and their home destroyed. Following the raid, Susanna, with two year old Angelina, joined Almeron at Bexar. While in Bexar, the Dickinsons became friends with a Ramon and Francisca Musquiz, who were members of an influential family. This friendship would later save Susanna and Angelina. When Santa Ana's forces approached Bexar, Almeron and the volunteers retreated into the Alamo. Susanna and Angeline accompanied Alermon. They would remain inside the Alamo throughout the entire siege and final battle. With Mexican forces breeching the walls of the Alamo during the final assault, Almeron went to his family for a final farewell. After the Alamo fell, Musquiz family friend, Mexican General Almonte, rode through the ruins calling out Susanna's name. Susanna, holding Angelina in her arms, stepped out from the ruins. Either on purpose or accident, Susanna was shot in the leg by a soldier. When her wound had been treated ,she and Angelina were brought before Santa Ana. Santa Ana was reportedly so taken by Angelina, he offered on the spot to adopt her. He promised to raise and educate her as if she was his own daughter. Susanna rejected the offer. Santa Ana then provided Susanna with a horse and sent her to the camp of Sam Houston and his army in Gonzalez to inform them that the Alamo had fallen. Soon Angelina was being called "The Babe of the Alamo." After Texas' independence from Mexico, Susanna petitioned the new government for $500.00 to help her care for Susanna. The new government, deep in debt and unable to pay their bills,, denied the petition. Future attempts by friends and supporters were also unsuccessful. Susanna remained in Houston and opened a boarding house. Angelina soon grew to be an "attractive and charming young lady, who had a bent for the pleasures of life". In 1851, Susanna became concerned about Angelina's life style and arranged a marriage with a farmer and occasional riverboat captain, John Griffith. In contrast to Angelina's life style, John Griffith was described as being religious with strict morals. They settled on John's farm in Montgomery County. Angelina and John remained married for six years. During their marriage they had two boys and one girl. Their names were Almeron, Susanna and Joesph. The marriage ended after Angelina's "bawdy" behavior at a local dance. Her son, Almeron, went to live with John's brother, Joshua. Susanna and Joseph went to live with their maternal grandmother, Susanna. In 1865, Angelina was living in New Orleans. She married an Oscar Holmes. They had a daughter named Sallie. A few years later the marriage ended in divorce. Not much is known about Angelina's life following her divorce from Holmes. In the archives of the Daughter's of the Texas Republic it is reported that in 1871, her family received a letter claiming Angelina had died of a "ruptured uterus" in New Orleans in 1870, and she was buried in an unmarked grave. Angelina's life and trials have been written about in Gale Hamilton Shiffrin, Echoes from Women of the Alamo, C. Richard King, Susanna Dickinson: Messenger of the Alamo, The Papers of the Texas Revolution, 1835-1836, by John H. Jenkins, General Editor, Walter Lord, A Time to Stand, Stephen L. Hardin, Texian Macabre, & The Life and Writings of Dr. Rufus C. Burleson.
