Dawson Rivers was born during a time of slavery about 1848. His home was in the heart of the deep South, in the town of Warrenton, Georgia. At the age of 21, he united in marriage with Frances “Fannie” Aldred. Fannie was born about 1849 in Warrenton, GA to an unknown father and Diana Jackson, also known as “a slave named Donna or Dinah.” Together, Dawson and Fannie nurtured a family of thirteen children over a quarter-century. Census records indicate that Dawson may have been Mulato or black and it was said that Fannie looked like an “Indian with pretty hair”. Dawson worked as a farm laborer for M.W. Aldred. Despite the era’s limitations, which left him unable to read or write and without formal education, Dawson’s spirit remained unbroken. He began contributing to his family’s livelihood from a young age, embodying the very definition of diligence. Dawson’s integrity shone brightly as he dutifully paid his $1 required poll tax. He made his home on Main Warrenton Road, in a farmhouse that stood as a proud declaration of his independence, free from the burden of debt. In a time when segregation cast long shadows, Dawson and his family carved out a life of self-reliance, cultivating their land and reaping the fruits of their labor. Their home was not just a structure; it was a sanctuary of ownership and self-sufficiency. When Dawson passed away at the age of 76, on July 8, 1924, in Gibson, Georgia, his legacy did not fade. Fannie, now the matriarch, continued to guide their family, residing with two of their daughters in a home valued at $1200—a humble yet significant achievement. Fannie passed away due to a stroke on June 12, 1932 at the age of 83.

The final rest for Dawson and Fannie Rivers lies within the hallowed grounds of Sandy Grove AME Church Cemetery in Warren, Georgia. The church is abandoned but the cemetery remains. Their shared headstone stands as a silent witness to their journey, a journey that speaks volumes of courage, love, and the indomitable human spirit.