A celebration of General Lafayette

 

General Lafayette dressed for 1824

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 250^th 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.

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.

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 250^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence—set the tone for the day.

(ltr) Brian Burns, General Lafayette, Cheryl Wilson, Manny Alvarez, Robin Lind

She congratulated the Goochland 250^th 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 250^th 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 250^th 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.

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.

"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.

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. 

the Marker

Suzanne Taylor, a member of the Goochland 250^th 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 250^th Commission https://www.exploregoochland.com/187/VA-250-American-Revolution has just gotten started. Keep an eye out for future events to mark the 250^th anniversary of America.