America Newton
America Newton (Dyer Newton; 1835 – 1917[1]) was one of the original African-American pioneers who helped launch the former mining town of Julian, California, in the Cuyamaca Mountains east of San Diego.[2] She was among the earliest female African-American settlers in the area.[3] Newton was a former slave who provided laundry services in Julian during its gold rush days and beyond. She resided in Julian for more than 50 years.
Life[]
She arrived in Julian in 1872, having come from Independence, Missouri.[4] Newton owned an 80-acre (320,000 m2) homestead near Julian. A gift shop in Julian is named in her memory, as well as a trail located near her cabin.[3] She died of pneumonia in 1917.[4]
Newton operated a laundry service for miners in the town, often delivering the clean clothes herself. Family friend James Cole provided her with the horse and buggy, making her one of the first African-American women to operate a business in the area. She was known as being friendly and talkative.[3]
According to census records, she was married and had a daughter. She outlived her husband.[5]
She is buried in the Julian Cemetery.[6]
References[]
- ^ "America Newgon (1835-1917)". Find A Grave. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
- ^ The Canyoneers (August 3, 2016). "The mountain forest as it appeared before the 2003 Cedar Fire". San Diego Reader. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Black Pioneers in San Diego 1880 - 1920". San Diego History Center | San Diego, CA | Our City, Our Story. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- ^ a b LeMenager, Charles R. (20 July 1992). Julian City and Cuyamaca Country: A History and Guide to the Past and Present. Eagle Peak Publishing Company. ISBN 9780961110253 – via Google Books.
- ^ "America Newton – Ava Smithmier". Studies of Black History at the University of San Diego. May 7, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
- ^ Caterino, David M.; Mallios, Seth (20 July 2018). Cemeteries of San Diego County. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9780738558219 – via Google Books.
External links[]
- Julian Black Historical Society
- Julian Chamber of Commerce
- The Controversy over the Newton Burial Site
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- 1835 births
- 1917 deaths
- 19th-century American slaves
- People from Julian, California
- 19th-century African-American women
- Deaths from pneumonia in California
- People from Independence, Missouri
- African-American history of California
- 20th-century African-American women
- American former slaves
- 19th-century American businesspeople
- California stubs
- African American stubs
- American Old West stubs
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