Descendants of Patriot James Armistead Lafayette and patriots of Tidewater Virginia Commemorated

On Saturday, February 28, descendants of James Armistead Lafayette were honored and many patriots of the Tidewater region of Virginia commemorated as part of Black History month at the museum of the American Revolution in Yorktown. Four branches of descendants gave their stories about how they discovered their ancestry to famous patriot James Lafayette. Re-enactor Steven Seals gave a short talk about the Patriot.

James Armistead Lafayette was an enslaved African American who was taught to read and write by his owner. When the Revolutionary War broke out and Virginia Royal Governor Dunmore offered emancipation to slaves who served for the British Army, James volunteered to serve in the Continental Army under the Marquis de Lafayette. He became a double agent, posing as a runway slave and befriending traitor Benedict Arnold during Arnold's Virginia Campaign, He gathered critical intelligence about British plans, troop numbers, troop movements and locations of supplies. This information was delivered to Lafayette. James was so impressed by the young Frenchman he added Lafayette to his name.

Research continues to identify African American Patriots that fought in the Revolutionary War. In the counties in and around Yorktown James Armistead Lafayette was one of thirty-four African American Patriots in New Kent County. There were thirty-five african American patriots from Charles City County, including Abraham Brown. The Abraham Brown Chapter of Virginia SAR was chartered Saturday, February 28, 2026 with 5th great grandson Kevin Brown President. Eleven African American Patriots were from James City County. Nineteen African American Patriots were from York County. Twenty-one african American Patriots were from King William County. Eleven Native American Patriots were from the Pamunkey Indian Nation in King William County. And, Seven African American Patriots were from Gloucester County.

Sgt Maj John Champe (SMJC) Chapter members Ken Bonner and Barry Schwoerer attended the commemoration. The SMJC Chapter serves Loudoun County. For more information about the SMJC Chapter please visit our website at: https://johnchampe-sar.org