Lafayette Tour Marker, New London, Connecticut (CT-178)
305 Bank Street
New London, CT 06320
United States
President James Monroe invited the Marquis de Lafayette to visit the United States, his adopted country. Lafayette’s tour of all 24 states in 1824 and 1825 drew large crowds and sparked a renewal of patriotism. During the American Revolution, Lafayette’s intense advocacy of the American cause convinced King Louis XVI of France to send troops and ships, which proved crucial to the American victory at Yorktown.
Lafayette traveled along the Connecticut coast, reaching New London mid-morning on August 22, 1824, where he was escorted to the Mansion of Judge Elias Perkins. A great body of citizens was gathered there, and he was received under a national salute of 24 guns, fired from Fort Trumbull. It was reported that Lafayette then saluted the gathered citizens and was then greeted by General William North, an old friend and past companion in arms. The Cadmus, the ship that brought Lafayette to America on August 15, 1824, was captained by Francis Allyn of New London, with Daniel Chadwick of Lyme as first mate.
Learn about Revolutionary War Combat Strategy. Watch the Revolutionary War Animated Map. For a summary, read An Overview of the American Revolution.
