The 19-year old 'Private Ship" rich Frenchman who came of age in Wilmington and helped America win the Revolutionary War

 

In the third podcast with local historian Bill Knightly on his research on Revolutionary War Era Wilmington,  Nathan and Bill go into greater depth on the Marquis de Lafayette, a 19 year old from France, who barely spoke English, become a major figure in the US Revolution, came of age in Wilmington, and maintained strong ties to Delaware throughout his life: 

 

Some Topics Discussed: 

04:00 - Who is Lafeyette and why is he important?
08:13 - How does a teenager that barely speaks English develop such a good relationship with George Washington? 
12:00 - The role of Ben Franklin in "vouching" for Lafayette
15:00 - Wouldn't the appointment of 19 year-old with no combat experience to the highest rank of Major General cause resentment within the Army? 
17:15 - How did Lafayette square his passionate belief in liberty for all with his deep admiration for George Washington, a major slave owner? 
24:00 - 2 minute summary of his involvement in the war from a military perspective
28:00 - Was there a particular tavern in Wilmington that Lafayette preferred?
29:35 - Lafayette escapes the guillotine yet spends 5 years in jail 
33:10 - The Grand return of 1824
46:00 - A 2nd return trip to Wilmington 
54:00 - A telling story Bill found in his research that conveys the spirit of the man