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Pleasant Harrison

Pleasant Harrison was a seamstress, herbalist, and multitalented artisan versed in centuries-old craftsmanship techniques. In 1979, she was interviewed by the Harvard Schlesinger Library as part of their Black Women's Oral History Project, which provided rich transcripts on her life that form the basis of her biography.

Childhood

Pleasant Harrison.

Pleasant Haynes was born in Branchville, South Carolina, along with five siblings. She was born with an undiagnosed medical condition that resulted in her inability to walk until she was six years old. Her father worked as a lumber provider for the railroad system, and her mother was unemployed. Her father escaped their hometown in 1921, fleeing from the Ku Klux Klan after rumors spread that he had an extramarital affair with a white woman in the neighborhood. After her father fled, her mother was physically assaulted by Klansmen, leading her to send her children live with relatives throughout the United States to ensure their safety. Shortly after her children settled into her relative's homes, Harrison's mother moved to Philadelphia to become employed in domestic work. Throughout Harrison's time living with various relatives, she worked many jobs from a young age, from nursing, babysitting, farming, and food production work. Additionally, Harrison was exposed to different faith traditions while living with her relatives, as her father's side practiced occultism and her mother's side consisted of practicing Baptists.

In 1927, Harrison moved to live with her maternal grandfather, a widely respected doctor, though he did not possess an official license to practice. Under his guidance, Harrison gained extensive knowledge about human anatomy and the medicinal properties of plants, and subsequently developed a passion for herbalism.

Career

Throughout her childhood and adolescence, in which she was exposed to people holding a multitude of careers, Harrison gained proficiency in a variety of disciplines.

After moving to Philadelphia to be near her mother, Harrison became engaged in sewing, and had proficient talent with sewing machines. Motivated to assist with the war efforts, she constructed uniforms for the United States Marine Corps during World War II, though she had to end her work due to illness and a work-related accident in which she suffered a hairline fracture. Harrison received a gold pin for her incredible craftsmanship in creating clothing for the Marines.

With her knowledge of plant medicine, Harrison would often assist ill friends, family, and members of her community by providing them with remedies she created. She did not sell them for profit.

In 1961, Harrison began singlehandedly constructing her home in New Jersey, handling and completing operations from plumbing to carpentry. After her home was completed, Harrison often cared for members of her community who were ill or disabled, Harrison inviting them into her own home. Additionally, in her later years of life, served on multiple health boards in her community.

Harrison often lectured on traditional herbal medicine and sewing that was rooted in centuries-old traditions passed down intergenerationally. In her interview with the Schlesinger Library, Harrison stated that after hours at the factory, she would teach young women in her community how to sew so that they could become employed and learn essential skills of tailoring.

Personal Life

Pleasant Harrison married Eddie Harrison in 1935, whom she met when she moved to Philadelphia and enrolled in a night school program. They had four children together, named Mae, Betty Ardella, Richard Raleigh, and Norman. The couple separated in 1940.

 In 1949, she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. After receiving surgery to remove a tumor, her incisions erupted, which Harrison singlehandedly fixed herself. Though doctors told her that she had a 50% prognosis rate, she made a full recoveryShe attributes her recovery to her use of plant medicine.

Harrison identified as a Baptist, and strongly believed in healing modalities that could be proved through science.

Legacy

Pleasant was a respected member of her community, dedicated to caring for people in a multitude of ways with her extensive knowledge of plants, humans, and artisan techniques alike. Information about her life can be found in interviews with the Harvard Schlesinger Library, and their transcripts on file.