User:ChaoticBirb21/America Newton

America Newton (Dyer Newton; 1835 – 1917) 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. 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.

She arrived in Julian in 1872, having come from Independence, Missouri. 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. She died of pneumonia in 1917.

She is buried in the Julian Cemetery.

Early life
America Newton, or Dyer Newton, was born in 1835 in Independence, Missouri. Like many other African-Americans at the time, she was born a slave. Years later, she traveled with a man named James Cole and his family across the country, eventually settling in Julian, California sometime in 1872. Settlers flocked to various towns during the California Gold Rush ; however, Julian was the only town to host the gold rush in all of Southern California, drawing many settlers to the area. Newton was among the first African-American settlers, as well as one of the first female African-Americans, to settle in Julian. Before arriving in town, she had applied for a homestead.

Life in Julian (1872 - 1917)
James Cole helped Newton to acquire her 80-acres (320,000 m2) of land for her to homestead and prepare her for life in America. Her homestead was located two miles west of Julian. Cole also assisted Newton by building her a cabin and a two-wheeled cart. He also gave her a horse to pull the cart. America used this cart for work, as she made her living washing clothes for miners and the residents of Julian. Residents often saw her in her cart, carrying clean laundry into town. She was paid a quarter per load.

Like most former slaves at the time, Newton was unable to read or write. Whenever it was necessary to write, she would ask others to do so for her. She carried a coin with her. When asking others to write for her, she would point at the coin, where the word America was stamped into the side.

Newton was hard of hearing later in life, and used an ear trumpet.

She became the official owner of her property in 1891, following the introduction of the 14th Amendment.

Newton was a widow, and she reportedly had one daughter.

Pioneer in black women’s entrepreneurship in San Diego
America Newton was a pioneer of black women’s entrepreneurship, thanks to her work as a businesswoman during a time where it was not particularly common. African American women in particular had a difficult time having careers of their own. Additionally, the majority of women at the time were restricted to domestic labor. Through owning her own laundry business, Newton showed how capable women at this time could be.

Death and burial site
Newton resided in Julian for over fifty years before she died of pneumonia in 1917. She was buried in Julian Cemetery.

Memorials
The trail located near Newton’s cabin was named America Grade in her honor. Part of route 78/79 bears the same name, and a gift shop in Julian is also named in her memory.