SUBMITTED BY EDENTON TEA PARTY CHAPTER NSDAR
The Edenton Tea Party Chapter, NSDAR, welcomed guest speaker, Dr. Hank Parfitt at their November 13th meeting, held at the Shepard-Pruden Memorial Library. Dr. Parfitt, Vice President of the Lafayette Society of North Carolina, presented on the history of the Marquis de Lafayette and his last visit to America in 1824. Lafayette was invited to visit America by President James Monroe, to honor the last remaining General in the Continental Army and confidant of President George Washinton. It is thought that President Monroe also sought to rekindle patriotic passion in a divided America.
Lafayette covered over 6,000 miles during his visit from August 1824 to September of 1825 and visited all 24 existing states traveling by carriage, stagecoach and boat. Dr. Parfitt shared a map showing the path that Lafayette followed on this journey. During Lafayette’s visit, he was welcomed everywhere. Lafayette’s return to America and tour became a renowned hallmark of Monroe’s tenure as President.
This year’s celebration of Lafayette’s tour includes recognition at each stop on Lafayette’s journey in America, including one in Fayetteville, NC on March 4-5, exactly 200 years after Lafayette’s visit. It will be celebrated by members of the Lafayette Society and the American Friends of Lafayette, dressed in period “Regency” attire and there will be music and dancing in styles associated with the times. Fayetteville, previously known as Cross Creek, was named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette in 1783.
During the Chapter meeting, the Edenton Tea Party Chapter also welcomed two new members, Amanda Hugg and Debbie Ashburn. The Chapter also donated 15 books on topics related to the DAR and the American Revolutionary War to the Shepard-Pruden Memorial Library, which were presented to Jared Jacavone, Librarian, which will be available for public reference.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. Today’s DAR is dynamic and diverse, with over 185,000 members in 3,000 chapters in the United States and abroad. DAR members annually provide millions of hours of volunteer service to their local communities across the country and world. DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Over one million members have joined the organization since its founding in 1890.
If you are interested in learning more about DAR membership, contact Bonnie Henn, Chapter Regent, at bonnie.henn.dar@gmail.com or Membership Chairman, Beth Taylor at 39taylor@gmail.com
