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Susanna was born
Susanna was born sometime in 1814. Records show the date as January 1, but the exact date is actually unknown. -
Susanna gets married
At the age of fifteen, Susanna found herself getting married. She married Almaron Dickinson and officially became Susanna Dickinson. -
The Texas Revolution
Susanna's husband joined a group of volunteer militants, and the family moved to San Antonio, Texas. The Mexican government was moving further and further away from democracy, and the Dickinson's wanted to take a stand. -
A New Marriage
Susanna's life became tumultuous after escaping the Alamo. She remarried in 1837, but divorced soon after. She remarried three more times over the next few years. -
The Dickinson's move again
Susanna and her family moved again, this time to the fort at Alamo. They lived just outside the Alamo with the Ruiz family. -
Battle of the Alamo
The Mexican troops attacked the unprepared troops at the Alamo. Susanna took her infant daughter and hid from the troops inside a church. -
A Break From the Fighting
For several days, the Mexican and Texas armies battled nonstop. On the evening of March 5, the fighting stopped. Susanna and the others welcomed the rest.
March 6, 1836 attack -
Attack
Early that morning, the Mexican troops attacked at full throttle. They took the Texans by surprise; Susanna later recalled Davy Crockett stopping by the chapel where she hid, in order to pray. -
Survivors
The soldiers of the Alamo had all been killed in the battle, and all that remained were the women and children. Susanna was among them, and when the Mexican troops offered to take her and her infant back to Mexico, she refused. -
The March to Gonzalez
Susanna and the other survivors marched toward safety and away from the Mexican army. They arrived in Gonzales after a week, and told the tale of the Alamo. -
The Runaway Scrape
Once Susanna had told Commander Sam Houston of the attack on the Alamo, Houston ordered an evacuation. Texans fled to the east to escape the advancing Mexican army. -
Battle of San Jacinto
After the Texans fled, they regrouped under Sam Houston. Sam eventually led them in a victorious battle over the Mexican army in the battle of San Jacinto; Susanna became known as the Messenger of the Alamo. -
Susanna's Death
At the age of 69, Susanna Dickinson passed away. She was buried in Austin, TX. -
A Tribute to Susanna
In order to remember her bravery at the Alamo, the state of Texas decided to honor Susanna Dickinson. They placed a memorial marble slab at her grave. -
Messenger of the Alamo
Susanna was further honored in 2010, when the state of Texas opened a museum in her name. The museum is inside Susanna's former home with her fifth and final husband, Joseph Manning.