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| General Lafayette dressed for 1824 |
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| Lt. Col. Williams, and Marine Corps Jr.ROTC color guard |
Bright blue skies
blessed Goochland’s celebration of the of the visit of General Lafayette during
his American farewell tour, on November 2. The commemoration was 200 years to
the day when the French aristocrat, who became a hero of the American Revolution,
stopped overnight in Goochland on his way to see his old friend Thomas
Jefferson at Monticello.
The day began at historic Tuckahoe Plantation where the Hon.
Manuel Alvarez, chair of the Goochland 250th Commission, tasked with
reminding Americans of the importance of the Declaration of Independence,
welcomed the assembly.
The presentation of the colors by the Goochland High School Marine
Jr. ROTC, and the pledge of allegiance led by its director LT. Col. Kevin
Williams, was a living reminder that the freedoms Americans enjoy today exist
because of General Lafayette and all those who have worn the uniform since 1776.
Robin Lind, present of the Goochland Historical Society, in
period attire, explained that the event was held at Tuckahoe because it is convenient
rather than Powell’s Tavern on nearby River Road where Lafayette was escorted
by the Henrico militia and greeted by the Goochland militia two centuries
earlier.
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| Robin Lind and Suzanne French Keesler |
Lind read a passage penned by Jefferson’s grandson
describing how Lafayette and Jefferson, both old and feeble friends, fell into
each other’s arms in greeting at Monticello, a scene that caused all present to
weep.
When Lafayette came to America, he was 19 years old and had
been promised a commission as a major general, which did not occur because of
his age. It took Lafayette some years to earn his generalship.
The 1824 visit came about when President James Monroe realized
that more than half of the country’s population has been born since 1776. As
the sole surviving Revolutionary War general, Lafayette was invited to remind
the population of the importance of both the Declaration and American ideals. Lind
compared Lafayette’s reception to that of a modern-day rock star. People lined
roads across the county to cheer the return of Lafayette in huge numbers. That
was at a time when there were few newspapers and no 24/7 media to spread the
word of his arrival.
Lind said that a lock of Lafayette’s hair, given to a Richmond
woman, was on display in a nearby Tuckahoe outbuilding being guarded by Goochland
Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Carrier.
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| Commission member Linda Weistroffer and Deputy Carrier |
Cheryl Wilson, Executive Director of the Virginia 250
Commission—note Goochlanders, the 250 Commission is not about Broad Street
Road, but rather the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence—set
the tone for the day.
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| (ltr) Brian Burns, General Lafayette, Cheryl Wilson, Manny Alvarez, Robin Lind |
She congratulated the Goochland 250th Commission for being one of the strongest local groups, out of 134 in Virginia. Telling all sides of the story of the fight for American independence and sponsoring fun events, like the Run to Revolution 5K held at Elk Hill in western Goochland in September, is part of the initiative. “You’re (Goochland 250th Commission) trail blazers and I will brag about you everywhere I go,” said Wilson. (Go to va250.org for details about the state organization)
Wilson explained that the State 250 Commission has simple
goals to educate and help people understand Virginia’s primary role in the
founding of our nation. Were it not for Virginians, the ideals born here would
not inspire us as we come together to form a more perfect union.
“We want to feel history and connect to our past while we
work to make our future better, so that those who come after will understand the
importance of what happened here. There is something powerful about being on
the site of an event on the very day that it happened. It lets us experience
the power of place. We’re in the present nestled between past and future. History
helps us understand that link. When the Declaration was signed it was a hope, a
prayer that took many years and a war to
achieve the ideals whose pursuit still unites us. E pluribus unum, out of many
one. We are the many and the nation is one,” said Wilson.
Brian Burns, President of Alliance Francais said that 200
years ago Lafayette, as a 60-year-old, looked back on his life and judged that he
chose well. A 19-year-old aristocrat, Lafayette was one of the wealthiest men
in France if not in all of Europe, who could have enjoyed a life of ease in his
chateau. Instead, he sailed to the American colonies at his own expense to join
the movement for independence. He soon became close to Washington, some have described
their relationship as that of father and son, and quickly earned the rank of
Major General as he fought alongside Washington. Wounded at Brandywine, which
could have proved fatal, he recovered. France’s role in helping the United
States gain its freedom from England cannot be overstated, contended Burns. “Without
the trust that Washington put in Lafayette, I’m not sure the events at Yorktown
would have happened. He chose to come here and help us.” We’re here to thank Lafayette, who some contend
is America’s best friend.”
Suzanne French Keesler, chair of the event committee and a
member of the Goochland 250th Commission, introduced General
Lafayette, both were attired in period clothing.
The General, brought to life by Charles Wissinger, thanked the
assembly for his welcome. He quipped that he came just for the food. “I have
been asked to come to these United States by President Monroe to spend three to
four months (he stayed for more than a year). I will visit not just the original
13 but all 24 states. I come to accept your word of thanks. It is my love not
only for your great nation but the love I also see from the people of your
nation. As I am welcome in city to city I see a lot of rebuilding as in Portsmouth,
which was laid in ruins by the previous war.”
“Lafayette” also mentioned recovery from artillery damage in
Petersburg, for which he apologized. “As I find myself going through Virginia
once again, I recall chasing Banastre Tarleton, Benedict Arnold, and Cornwallis
and enjoying the beautiful countryside and visiting with so many people while trying
to protect you.”
He recalled reading the Declaration of Independence in
French, which inspired him to fight for the rights of man, paying his own way
to come across the ocean and fight under our colors. “I will take the ideals of
the rights of all men to my own nation. With these rights I wish America will
be the grand republic that I see and continue to be a beacon to the world for
your fight for liberty, freedom, and independence.”
Then it was time to eat.
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| Culinary Arts students and Chef Erlenbach |
The Goochland High School Culinary Arts program, under the direction
of Chef Bill Erlenbach, researched recipes from the era of Lafayette’s visit and
interpreted them with contemporary ingredients into a delightful array of
finger foods. The exquisite and delectable menu included: Sweet potato biscuit
with Virginia ham and local honey butter; Martha’s Chicken and Rice croquettes (a
particular favorite of the General); Smoked trout on baguette with horseradish
cream; Bloody butcher grit cakes with lamb loin and pickled veg; Brie candied
peanuts and oranges; hoe Cakes with honey; Mount Vernon Gingerbread with logo; Caramelized
Tuckahoe Pear Posset; Petite Hot Chocolate cups; and Maple Ice Cream with
shortbread.
Culinary arts students efficiently and professionally served
the food to the appreciative throng.
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| "Martha's chicken croquettes |
Christine Jordan Dunn provided and arranged the flowers at
Tuckahoe and the plantings next to the Courthouse Village marker.
Then it was on to Courthouse Village to dedicate a marker commemorating
the night that Lafayette—he preferred to be addressed as general, a title he
earned, rather than Marquis, a title he inherited—slept in Goochland.
The dedication began with a prayer offered by the Rev.
Darvin Satterwhite. Lind said that even in the sparsely populated countryside,
people lined the roads to cheer the hero of the revolution.
Julian Icher, from the Lafayette Trail (https://www.thelafayettetrail.org/),
explained that installation of that marker had been a lengthy process. His organization,
dedicated to documenting and marking all stops on the General’s farewell tour,
funded the marker. Standing in shadow while the marker was unveiled, the “General”
looked on with approval.
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| Jeff Mabry, Julian Icher, General Lafayette |
The marker, on River Road West opposite the History Center, is on the site of Anderson’s Tavern, where Lafayette stayed. The location and visit were documented by the Lafayette Trail for accuracy. The William C. Pomeroy Foundation (https://www.wgpfoundation.org) provided funding.
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| the Marker |
Suzanne Taylor, a member of the Goochland 250th
Commission and teacher in Goochland Schools, commented that Goochland has been at
the epicenter of American history from its beginning to the present day and it
needs to be remembered, shared, and celebrated.
The Goochland 250th Commission https://www.exploregoochland.com/187/VA-250-American-Revolution
has just gotten started. Keep an eye out for future events to mark the 250th
anniversary of America.
