Lafayette returns to Goochland

Major General Lafayette

 

Gilbert Motier La Fayette, remembered by Americans as the Marquis de Lafayette, first came to America as a 19-year-old aristocrat to help a nation fight for its liberty. An injury at Bunker Hill left him with a limp for life. General George Washington made him a major general in the Continental Army. He was active at the war’s end at Yorktown.

As the 250^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence approaches, events are being planned to commemorate the founding of our country. The Goochland Board of supervisors appointed a GVA250 commission, headed by the Hon. Manuel Alvarez, The Commission’s goal is to engage, educate, inspire through series of local events. He reported that the 5K Run for Revolution, held on September 14 at Elk Hill Farm was a success and that the Commission has formed a partnership to support Elk Hill, which provides “a safe and peaceful haven where children can overcome obstacles in the way of a bright and successful future”.

Elk  Island Winery (https://elkislandwinery.com/) has created a wine named “Revolution Red” whose label echoes the image used for the 5K and Midnight Brewery (https://www.midnightbrewery.com/home) has brewed a 1727 porter using a recipe attributed to Geroge Washington using modern methods and ingredients. Courthouse Creek Cider (https://courthousecreek.com/) is working on a special Virginia cider.

In 1824, Lafayette, the last surviving officer of the revolutionary war, returned to America, visiting many of the places where he fought, Goochland County among them. In 1823, President Monroe persuaded Congress to invite Lafayette to visit our country, when he realized that at least half of the population of America had been born after the war. The tour lasted more than a year.

According to Robin Lind, president of the Goochland Historical Society, Lafayette came to Richmond and was escorted by the local militia to Powell’s Tavern, now a private residence, in eastern Goochland for a celebration, and then to Goochland Courthouse, where he spent the night at Anderson’s Tavern, before proceeding to Cumberland and on to Monticello. Lafayette visited all 13 “colonies” and newer states. Everywhere he went people lined the road and cheered as he passed by.

Lind referenced a letter from Jefferson’s grandson describing the meeting between of old friends on November 4, 1824. Jefferson was 81, Lafayette 68. Jefferson was feeble and tottering with age and Lafayette permanently lame and in broken health. AS they approached each other, their uncertain gait quickened into a shuffling run. Ther burst into tears as they fell into each other’s arms. There was not a dry eye, no sound except an occasional suppressed sob, among the 400 men witnessing the scene.

“This is somebody that needs to be celebrated,” Lind said. He outlined Goochland’s plans for Lafayette’s celebration this year.

On November 2, 250 years to the day when he last visited Goochland, Lafayette, portrayed by a reenactor, will return. The day will begin with a ticketed event at Tuckahoe Plantation (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/general-lafayettes-return-tickets-1041017660847?aff=eivtefrnd&utm-campaign=social%2Cemail&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-source=strongmail&utm-term=listing) featuring toasts and interpretations of 1824 period food prepared by Goochland High School culinary arts students.

Next will come a public dedication of a marker commemorating the 1824 visit of Lafayette in Courthouse Village on River Road West opposite the Goochland History Center (https://www.goochlandhistory.org/) on the approximate location of Anderson’s Tavern.

The celebration will conclude with an informal gathering at Courthouse Creek Cider.

Goochland witnessed the founding of America. Washington, Jefferson, Lafayette, and even Cornwallis were here. It is important to remember and celebrate this.