By the Sweat of Our Brows

Historic Brattonville’s annual event “By the Sweat of Our Brows” honors the descendants of the plantation’s enslaved community and presents panel discussions with Black and white Bratton descendants continuing the conversation of their shared history and lineage. Dedicated to telling their authentic narrative, the descendant community has helped to organize the annual event since 2005.

"By the Sweat of Our Brows" commences with the traditional ‘Calling of the Names’ read from Harriet Bratton’s 1865 Freedmen’s List. Throughout the day, the descendants greet visitors, showcase memorabilia and share stories. Around the site, period-dressed interpreters demonstrate what daily life was like on a cotton plantation in the 19th century through traditional African American cooking demonstrations, woodworking, basket weaving, quilting, hands-on activities, children’s games and musical performances.

Black and white Bratton descendants from across the United States gather during "By the Sweat of Our Brows" for scheduled public discussions on how the impact of the recent discovery of shared DNA impacts their personal lives and collaborative projects.

“We had been meeting for several months before we learned that my DNA matched with the white Brattons," says Dr. Lisa Bratton, a fifth-generation descendant of Green and Malinda Bratton, who ere enslaved on the Bratton plantation. "We had always suspected that we were related, but had no proof until now. This discovery brought us even closer together as family and as descendants and I am very passionate about the work we are doing. The relationship we share is virtually unheard of in the United States.”