Lafayette Encounter at Fort Hunter
While not exciting as much
attention as Alexander Hamilton
as of late, there appears to be a resurgence of interest in a particular noble
Frenchman – Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roche Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de
Lafayette. Several recent or
upcoming publications have revitalized enthusiasm for the study of this
historic figure – for example: The Marquis: Lafayette Reconsidered
by Laura Auricchio and Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by
Sarah Vowell. This is all on the heels
of the return of the Hermione
(in and educationally replica form)
to the shores of Virginia at Yorktown.
This is where the Marquis landed in 1780 upon returning from France with
much needed military aid for the Patriot cause.
Several exhibits are planned at various museums and institutions –
notably the New
York Historical Society will present an instillation at Governors Island,
NYC. |
| Marquis de Lafayette |
An interesting anecdotal
occurrence during the 1824-1825 grand tour that Lafayette took of the early
American republic that he had a hand in securing was published as an account by
an aged Colonel
Simeon Sammons – locally noted as the commander of the 115th NYS
Vol. Regiment in the American Civil War.
Originally published in 1878, the
F.W. Beers & Co. History of Montgomery
& Fulton County* describes an
encounter at the Schoharie Creek:
…The canal, accordingly, furnished the
natural route of Lafayette in his grand tour through this part of the country
in 1825. In connection with this event
occurred an interesting incident not hitherto published: While the Marquis was at Johnstown, during
the Revolution, he was entertained at Johnson Hall by Jacob Sammons, who, for
about four years of the war, leased the Johnson farm from the Committee of
Sequestration. There Thomas Sammons
repeatedly met the French nobleman. In
the early days of the canal, Thomas Sammons was engaged in boating on the great
highway… Arriving on day at Schenectady with a boat from Albany, accompanied by
his boy Simeon -… he was surprised to find the main street of the town
streaming with flags, gay with flowers, and lined and carpeted with
evergreens. Mr. Sammons was not long in
learning that the staid old place had put on this holiday attire for the
fitting reception of Lafayette, who was expected to reach Schenectady that day
in his journey through the grateful country which so well honored its
illustrious visitor. It nee hardly be
said that Mr. Sammons resolved to await his coming, confident that he could
obtain not only the sight of the great Frenchman that would be vouchsafed to
the crowd, but audience with him.
 |
| Johnson Hall |
Information arrived, however, that
Lafayette would not reach Schenectady until the next day and the disappointed
patriot resumed his voyage, consoling himself and his son with the assurance
that they would see the Marquis at Fultonville.
Their opportunity was not long deferred.
The Sammons craft, in due time, came to the point of crossing the
Schoharie Creek. Where boats now sail
high, if not dry above the stream, over a massive aqueduct, they then ran
through it…the team crossing on a narrow towing bridge. Mr. Sammons’ boat was at the crossing when
the packet conveying the illustrious Frenchman bore down upon it, decked with
streamers and evergreens, even the harness of the horses bristling with
flags. A jubilant crowd upon the
tow-path, horseback and on foot, kept abreast of the coming boat. Sammons was exhorted to hurry across the
creek and out of the way, that there might be no unnecessary delay to the
progress of nobility. He, seeing his
opportunity, hastened to comply, and landing with his son, came back to the
towing bridge from which he was able to board the packet as it arrived.
Stepping to the door of the forward
cabin they were met by the captain who sternly demanded their object. Learning it, he stoutly forbade their
entering, saying that the Marquis was resting…
Mr. Sammons, who was a resolute man and far too intent upon his errand
to allow himself to be balked… promptly convinced the captain that he was going
in… |
| Layafette 1825 |
Lafayette was reclining on a couch with
his head upon his hand. As his visitors
stepped up to him, he looked Mr. Sammons in the face and for an instant, and
then springing to his feet, grasped both his hands in his own, and with his
eyes sparkling with animation, eagerly asked: “Where have I seen you
before? I have met you somewhere.” “At Johnson Hall, “replied Mr. Sammons; and
as the Marquis with the rapidity of thought recalled his sojourn at the old
Johnstown mansion, his next question was: “Is your brother Jacob living?” and
his next, when told that that much tried patriot had passed away: “Is that good woman his wife, alive?” Being told that she was, and was living in
Onondaga country, the Marquis made a hasty note of the fact.
Here the captain had the pleasure of
warning Mr. Sammons that if he did not leave the boat, he would not have
another chance. “Hold the boat!” cried
Lafayette, and the packet was actually stopped until the interview was ended,
when Mr. Sammons stepped ashore, as may well be supposed, a proud and happy
man, and his son a proud and happy boy, no doubt, or he would never have told
the story with such readiness and spirit when on the down hill side of life…”
 |
| Col. Simeon Sammons |
This may be a touch of fancy,
provided in the supply of a youthful memory of an elderly man reminiscing proudly
upon his father and a father of the country he too had served – but as a tale
of interesting local flavor it is worth reviewing for the simple pleasure of
conveying an idea. America was founded
by the work of many hands, from farm boys etching out a living in hard scrabble
hills, to laborers from vast majestic fertile valleys, to city dwellers, & merchants,
peddlers, southern gentleman, homestead wives & daughters, aristocrats,
former slaves and even European nobility.
That all of those and many more produced a new republic, and forged
ahead into uncertainty, this story brings home that at times the world is small
– even in all its grandeur – but the connections created both physically into
the earth, or through innovations of technology are simply the extension of
those connections made between people.
*History of Montgomery
& Fulton Counties, NY, with Illustrations, Descriptive of Scenery, Private
Residences, Public Buildings, Fine Blocks & manufactories, from original
sketches by Artists of the Highest Ability; and Portraits of Old Pioneers and
Prominent Residents. New York. F.W. Beers & Co., 36 Vesey St. – 1878.
Contributor:
D. Brooks - Education Coordinator for Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Schoharie Crossing
PO Box 140
129 Schoharie Street
Fort Hunter, NY 12069
(518) 829-7516
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