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The year was 1825 when a Frenchman named Marquis de Lafayette made his way to Hamburg, S.C. Lafayette arrived once again to the same place to show his appreciation he had for America like he did 200 years ago.
He was greeted by many locals. “I am proud, I am honored and I reminisce about what it was like ..
. the reason why I was inspired to come here and it was because I read the Declaration of Independence for the first time in French and was inspired to fight for the rights of man," said Charles Wissinger, who played the role of Lafayette. As a way to celebrate the bicentennial of Lafayette's farewell across the United States in 1825, the Martintown Road Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held an event at the Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta on March 24.
The event also included a lecture, the tour of the Charles Hammond House and a proclamation from North Augusta's mayor. On March 24, 1825, Lafayette made his way to Hamburg as part of his tour of the 24 states in the United States. Lafayette was a Frenchmen who supported the 13 American colonies during the American Revolution.
He also took part in many battles during the revolution and was friends with George Washington. “He contributed to our struggle for liberty and his efforts were successful to forge an internal bond of friendship between the United States of America and France,” said Billy Benton, who portrayed the clerk of court during Lafayette's arrival. Wissinger greeted the crowd with a "bonjour" as he made his way to the front.
“I would like to extend a warm, heartfelt welcome and a thank-you to all the citizens, soldiers and everyone for inviting me here,” he said. “This is an honor and a privilege to be able to tour all original 24 states in this current union,” he said. “To be so honored and be recognized with the awards, ceremonies.
It’s a privilege to be able to continue this for all of the people." North Augusta Mayor Briton Williams said Col. B.
F. Whitner, who was a plantation owner, shared comments to Lafayette. Williams said those same words still resonate today.
While presenting the proclamation, Williams presented Lafayette with gloves worn, a self-portrait, a write-up and the steamship that brought him over. Williams went on to explain how the residents of Hamburg welcomed him to the infant town and they are grateful for his presence. “God bless General Lafayette and God bless the United States of America,” he said.
Local historian Milledge Murray said Lafayette was a hero of both worlds of America and France and explained how Lafayette inherited a fortune from his grandfather in France. Murray said Lafayette's father was killed during the Seven Years War that involved the British, so he dedicated his life to the American cause. Murray said the fifth president, James Monroe, invited Lafayette because it was the 50th anniversary of America's independence.
It took Lafayette 13 months to complete, with the trip starting Aug. 15, 1824 in New York. “Whenever Lafayette came to a certain area it was a big celebration,” Murray said.
Beth Francis with the Martintown Road Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution said the event celebrated and marked the visit from 200 years ago. She said Lafayette stopped in Augusta before coming to Hamburg. “We are just honored to be able to celebrate that particular event,” she said.
She the event was part of a tour that started in the northern U.S. before coming south.
“As we move into celebrating our 250th anniversary of the American Revolution it is so nice that we are able to honor our his contributions to the revolution as a young man and his return years later to the same places he was before,” she said. Lee Herron, who is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, said Lafayette played a role in the forming of the country and winning the revolution. “We are out here to support the efforts and to educate people on the importance of General Lafayette for our country,” he said.
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