This is part of a series on Lafayette’s visit to New England – June 13 to June 29 1825.
Alpheus Demond of Muddy Brook fame in 1814 built the Old Tavern House in the village where Hitchcock’s Block now stands Here it was that Lafayette visited and Mrs Cynthia Loomis now living on Bank St and her sister Mrs Elmira Whittaker who resides on Palmer Road were among those who met him and took him by the hand Mrs Loomis is now 86 years old but she retains all her mental activity and tells of Lafayette’s visit and of her meeting with him with evident pleasure She recalls the fact that at the time he took her hand he said to her and her companions I rejoice to see you my children enjoying the liberty for which we fought men At this time there were about 1600 inhabitants in the town There were no buildings on the south side of Main Street but only a greensward The men of the town stood in line and after the general had met the ladies at the tavern he came across the street and shook hands with them. He is described as a man of commanding presence with fine features He was accompanied by his son and after the ceremony was over took his carriage and drove out of town being accompanied as far as the home of Calvin Morse by the townspeople walking Indian file on either side of the carriage the women on one side and the men on the other he bowing to right and left in recognition of the plaudits of the crowd.
History of Ware, Massachusetts by Arthur Chase – Cambridge – The University Press – 1911
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For information on the bicentennial of Lafayette’s tour check out Lafayette200.org