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Lyndeborough’s Lafayette Artillery Company takes part in ceremony

Lafayette Artillery Company Captain Walter Holland presented Gov. Chris Sununu with a souvenir brass button after the firing of the company’s 1844 cannon and the unveiling of a plaque on the state house lawn commemorating the Marquis de Lafayette’s visit in 1824.

CONCORD – Since 1955, the governor has proclaimed May 20 Lafayette Day in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette’s contributions to our Revolutionary War. Last week’s celebrations were a little different than usual. A plaque commemorating the general’s visit during his farewell tour in 1824-25 was unveiled by Gov. Chris Sununu on the State House lawn. The plaque is near the “Lafayette Corner” of the State House that has a bronze marker commemorating that visit in 1825.

Lyndeborough’s Lafayette Artillery Company took part, firing their 1844 cannon in honorary salute. The cannon was fired by three dignitaries including Speaker of the House Sherman Packard. The governor declined.

“They told me there was going to be a cannon here,” he said while inspecting the field piece, “And I didn’t believe it.”

The plaque is part of the Lafayette Trail, a non-profit founded in Maryland to educate people on the importance of Lafayette’s contributions as well as cpo0mmemorate the visit. Julien Icher, president and founder of the organization, was the main speaker.

Other speakers included Packard, Author Dorothea Jensen of Hopkinton, who has written two books about Lafayette, and Gov. Sununu.

The Sons of the American Revolution, veterans in period uniforms, served as honor guard.

Formed in 1804 in Peterborough as part of the 22nd Regiment, the Artillery Company served in Portsmouth in 1814 to defend against a possible attack by Great Britain.

In 1833 they reorganized in Lyndeborough and in 1837 they incorporated as the Lafayette Artillery Company.

In 1864, the company was mustered into service and spent six weeks at Fort Constitution near {Portsmouth to guard against a Confederate attack.

In 1881, the company was mustered out of the National Guard, but in 1883 was allowed to retain its arms as an independent company.

Now a service organization and Civil War re-enactors, the company is always open to new members. They conduct the town’s annual Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day ceremonies.