Amanda was the first woman to run for office in the Georgia legislature in 1926. She did not win.
Mayhayley Lancaster was 39 years old in 1915, during the Leo Frank case, a widely-known miscarriage of justice exacerbated by anti-semitism, in which the Jewish defendant, on flimsy evidence, was falsely accused of murdering 13-year-old employee Mary Phagan. Thirty-two years later, in 1947, the 71-year-old Mayhayley Lancaster took part in the Wallace trial as a witness for the prosecution, later described in the book Murder in Coweta County. In the 1983 same-titled made-for-TV movie, she was portrayed by 54-year-old June Carter Cash whose husband, Johnny Cash, played the key role of the persistent sheriff determined to bring to justice the arrogant millionaire John Wallace (Andy Griffith).
Mayhayley Lancaster died five months before her 80th birthday. In addition to her legal, political and educational activities, she was also described as a noted fortune teller, numbers runner and self-proclaimed "Oracle of the Ages".
Interesting is the fact that people leave 4 quarters and a dime on her headstone. This was said to be the fee she charged for telling people their fortunes. One dollar for herself and a dime for her pack of dogs.
Original Bio revised by JLC, 1st cousin 3 times removed.
Amanda was the first woman to run for office in the Georgia legislature in 1926. She did not win.
Mayhayley Lancaster was 39 years old in 1915, during the Leo Frank case, a widely-known miscarriage of justice exacerbated by anti-semitism, in which the Jewish defendant, on flimsy evidence, was falsely accused of murdering 13-year-old employee Mary Phagan. Thirty-two years later, in 1947, the 71-year-old Mayhayley Lancaster took part in the Wallace trial as a witness for the prosecution, later described in the book Murder in Coweta County. In the 1983 same-titled made-for-TV movie, she was portrayed by 54-year-old June Carter Cash whose husband, Johnny Cash, played the key role of the persistent sheriff determined to bring to justice the arrogant millionaire John Wallace (Andy Griffith).
Mayhayley Lancaster died five months before her 80th birthday. In addition to her legal, political and educational activities, she was also described as a noted fortune teller, numbers runner and self-proclaimed "Oracle of the Ages".
Interesting is the fact that people leave 4 quarters and a dime on her headstone. This was said to be the fee she charged for telling people their fortunes. One dollar for herself and a dime for her pack of dogs.
Original Bio revised by JLC, 1st cousin 3 times removed.
Bio by: Susan Smith
Gravesite Details
In really good condition.
Mayhayley's death was on May 22, 1955. Her tombstone is incorrectly marked as November 22nd as her death date.
Family Members
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Charlie William Lewis Lancaster
1871–1910
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Louise Elisabeth Lancaster Cosper
1873–1964
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John Rufus Lancaster
1877–1942
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James Samuel "Sam" Lancaster
1879–1952
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Sarah Elizabeth "Sallie" Lancaster Mitchell
1880–1964
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Richard Gideon Lancaster
1883–1963
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Lucinda C.M. "Lucy" Lancaster
1883–1908
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Benjamin Franklin "Bennie" Lancaster
1886–1918
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Nancy Camilla Lancaster Paschal
1890–1973
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Mary Ida Lee Lancaster Arrington
1895–1984
