Amanda was born to Elias Lightner and Sarah Carey in the Territory of Virginia in 1825. By 1840, her father and children resided in Indiana. Amanda married Abraham Tawney on August 5, 1840 in Allen County, Indiana, making their home in Whitley County, Indiana. They lived in Indiana all their married life, raising their 11 children together until the Civil War broke out in 1862. Both Abraham and their oldest son, David Tawney, went to war. David lost his life September of 1862 in Kentucky. Amanda recieved word of her son, David's wounds or death,not sure, by her husband in a letter dated November 9, 1862. During the time that Abraham was in serving in the Civil War, the children pulled together to support their mother as each was able. The brother, which Abraham did not name came to help by July 30, 1863. Abraham asked him to bring his things and stay there. Abraham thanked his brother for aiding to the family he could not wait to see again. Times were hard, Amanda sold some of the stock to survive. Ten of their children ranged from ages a few months to 20 years. Abraham died December 7, 1863, from January 15, 1864 to August 7, 1867, Amanda received Widow Benefits from the Army. She remarried to John Vanhorn in March of 1867. John was the father of eight, who divorced his first wife, Anna, February 10, 1867. After the death of Amanda, John Vanhorn married Elizabeth Poff Jeffries, the widow of Jordan Jeffries, whom was the mother of 5, 3 still at home.

Circumstances were not good for anyone in those times. Some of the children of Abraham and Amanda Tawney had at least 3 guardianship documents filed in the State of Indiana with there names listed dated from 1867 to 1875.