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LAFAYETTE’S TOUR

Program
Lafayette Trail
Subject
Event, People
Location
203 1st St, Chester, IL 62233, USA
Lat/Long
37.922048313283, -89.914730198345
Grant Recipient
The Lafayette Trail, Inc.
Historic Marker

LAFAYETTE’S TOUR

Inscription

LAFAYETTE'S TOUR
ON APR. 30, 1825, LAFAYETTE
ARRIVED AT GEN. EDGAR'S
HOME, DINED AT COL. SWEET'S
TAVERN & ATTENDED A BALL AT
WILLIAM MORRISON'S HOUSE.
IL DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2022

When America declared its independence on July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies were pulled into a conflict with one of the world’s most formidable powers, Great Britain. The colonies’ actions against Great Britain inspired a young French aristocrat and military officer, Marquis de Lafayette, to depart his native France to fight in the American Revolution. Lafayette served as a commander with the Continental Army throughout the war and helped secure French support for the American cause. This support played an integral part in securing American victory during the war.

Celebrated as a hero in the U.S. and France, Lafayette eventually returned to his home country. In 1824, Marquis de Lafayette was invited to visit the United States for the first time in 41 years. As an American hero and one of the only surviving commanders from the Revolution, Lafayette’s visit to the U.S. was highly anticipated and met with a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement. Lafayette’s Tour extended from 1824 to 1825. During this time, he visited Washington D.C., as well as major cities and small communities across 24 states.

Traveling along the Mississippi River by steamboat, General Lafayette arrived in Chester, Illinois aboard the Natchez. On April 30, 1825, he visited the home of fellow Revolutionary War veteran General Edgar, dined at Colonel Sweet’s tavern, and ended the evening with a ball at the home of William Morrison Sr. By midnight, Lafayette returned to the Natchez and continued his journey to Nashville, Tennessee.


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