Marquis de Lafayette
Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette
Biographical References
Lafayette’s visit to Kentucky
LaFayette’s visit to Limestone (Maysville)
On May 21, General LaFayette and his son, Colonel George Washington LaFayette, and the Governor of Ohio reached Maysville on the steamer Herald. The reception tendered to this great visitor was one of the most colorful celebrations ever held on Mason soil. The General was met at the foot of Fish street by the Committee of Reception, Major Charles Pelham, Reverend John T. Edgar, Captain Maurice Langhorne, Johnson Armstrong, James Morrison, W. B. Phillips, William Murphy, John Sumrall, John Armstrong and Captain Stephen Lee, of Maysville, and John Chambers, Francis Taylor and Dr. J. N. Taliaferro of Washington.
Landed at the decorated wharf, LaFayette was greeted by a mad throng. Carpets, given by John Armstrong, a wealthy merchant of Maysville, lined the grade leading to what is now Front street. A like compliment was paid him by lawyer Thomas Y. Payne, who laid his best for LaFayette to ascend the hotel steps. Captain James Byers, of the Maysville Infantry, was his escort.
The address of welcome was delivered by Major Pelham, soldier of the Revolutionary War, and the procession formed: Assistant Marshall, Light Infantry, Committee of Arrangements, General LaFayette and Hon. Jeremiah Morrow, Governor of Ohio, in a barouche; Colonel G. vV. LaFayette, Major Pelham and LaFayette’s Secretary in open carriage, officers and soldiers of the Revolution, citizens and strangers. The procession passed through the principal streets and at length drew up at Major Langhorne’s hotel, where a feast was served, after which the procession escorted the distinguished visitor to the steamer and watched it bear their friend and hero up the river.
Among the veterans of the Revolution who were present at the celebration was Julius Levi, the old Marketmaster of Maysville, who had served under the General at Brandywine and lost an eye at Bluford’s defeat.
Excerpted from page 160-161 of G. Glenn Clift History of Maysville and Mason County Ky