Hi.
Looking for information about my grandfather who lived in Woodbury Vt.(close to Bristol) who might have migrated from Canada. His wife Martha or Margaret Brady Lafayette is burried in the grave yard at the Catholic Churchin Cherbusco NY.

My ancestors used the name William a lot for
their children. Oral history tells of LaFayette
brothers going to Canada returning to states.
The LaFayette's I am working on are of African American ancestry.

hi, i'm looking into the family of the marquis de lafayette he is supposed to be my 5th great grandfather. i don't know about your family but if this is it i can give you some info.

My family took the name from General LaFayette when they were given freedom from slavery. My family is of African-American ancestry.

hi,thanks for answering me. i have info on lafayette
if you want what i have e-mail me again
and give me your
e-mail also
jo@swnm.com

I just read a book entitled "Why Not, Lafayette?" by Jean Fritz (1999).

In this book the author mentions a black slave named Jim that had been "lent" to Lafayette during the Revolutionary War "to serve as a valet and groom" (p. 30).

The book says that Lafayette had given Jim a special assignment to pose as a black runaway slave, crossing into enemy territory to pick up whatever information he could and then report back to Lafayette.
The book goes on to say that Jim had done "such a good job that after the war, Lafayette persuaded Virginia to free him."
It adds that "Jim, who like most slaves, had no last name in English, adopted the name Lafayette which he used for life." (pp. 30-31)

Hopefully this helps you out somewhat.

Thank you, this is the Lafayette I am looking for. I am trying to connect him to my great grandfather who looks like him. My great grandfather was born in Virginia in 1847. Our history was that we took the name Lafayette we were free. Want to find my ggrf Edwards's father's name

Carol--

I'm glad to help out. You may want to see if you can find the book by Jean Fritz, "Why Not, Lafayette?" I've read several books on Lafayette (I'm descended from him; and I'm proud of him for what he did for your ancester, Jim!!! And I'm proud that Jim took on the Lafayette name to pass on to his descendants, like you!!!) :o)
Anyway, the author has an extensive bibliography; maybe you can find out more about Jim through one of the listed books. She also credits Dr. Lloyd C. Kramer of the University of NC "for his careful and critical reading of [her] manuscript." Since the book was only written last year (1999), perhaps you could even get a hold of him. He may know where you could find information on Jim. One of the books in her bibliograph is "The Story of Fayetteville" by John Oates (Charlotte, NC: The Dowd Press, 1950). Maybe that might have more information on Jim too, you never know.

Good luck in your search!

Thanks for information. I will get the book.

I'm looking for my Lafayette family if youhave any of these names on your tree please reply. Henry,Minerva,Clarisa,Pearl,James,Frederick