Local DAR chapter commemorates 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s visit to Huntsville

HUNTSVILLE — He was known as the “favored son of American” for his leadership during the Revolutionary War.

And, Marquis de Lafayette paid a visit to Huntsville some 200 years ago during a tour of the infant United States.

Last Sunday, Lafayette’s visit was commemorated by the Twickenham Town Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

In a ceremony at the Revolutionary War Monument at the Huntsville-Madison County Veterans Memorial, speakers celebrated Lafayette’s connection to Huntsville.

“It is a privilege for the Twickenham Town Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, to participate in commemorating the bicentennial of American Revolutionary War hero General Marquis de Lafayette’s tour of the United States,” said Chapter Regent Dr. Kathy Rains. “It is a distinct honor to recount General Lafayette’s connection to Huntsville through John Hague, a local resident who served as one of his aides-de-camp during the American Revolutionary War.”

Historian Jacquelyn Procter Reeves spoke on Lafayette, the “favored son of America,” and his special Huntsville connection.

William Sommers portrayed Revolutionary War veteran and Huntsville resident John Hague, who traveled to Nashville to meet Lafayette during the general’s tour of the U.S. in 1825. Hague served as Lafayette’s aide de camp during the Revolutionary War.

National Society DAR Vice President General Patrice Donnelly and Alabama Society Sons of the American Revolution President Benny Hannah attended.

The Alabama Society DAR is made up of more than 4,300 women in 71 chapters across the state who can trace their lineage to patriots who fought for or provided aid to the colonists during the Revolutionary War.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. With more than 185,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations.

For information on the DAR, visit www.DAR.org or connect on social media at  facebook.com/TodaysDAR, twitter.com/TodaysDAR and youtube.com/TodaysDAR.