Norwichtown in Southeastern Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

En Memoire de Vingt Compagnons de Lafayette

Photographed by Conrad Ward, October 20, 2024

1. En Memoire de Vingt Compagnons de Lafayette

Inscription. Honneur Patrie

En Mémoire
de Vingt Compagnons de Lafayette
morts pour la Liberté Amércicaine,
a la Ville de Norwich
pieuse gardienne du Souvenir Français,
La France reconnaissante.

Societe Nationale
du
Souvenir Francais

(English translation)
In memory
of the Twenty Soldiers who served under Lafayette
who died for American Freedom
in Norwich Town,
pious guardian of French Memory
France - in Gratitude

National Society of the French Memory
(translation provided by anonymous)

Erected by Societe Nationale du Souvenir Francais.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Revolutionary.

Location. 41° 32.908′ N, 72° 5.585′ W. Memorial is in Norwich in Southeastern Region, Connecticut. It is in Norwichtown. It is at the intersection of Old Cemetery Lane and Town Street (Connecticut Route 642) when traveling east on Old Cemetery Lane. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Norwich CT 06360, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is on the Connecticut

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Shoreline,

in Greater New London and in the Thames River Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in New England,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New London County

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Twenty French Soldiers Memorial (here, next to this marker); Old Norwichtown Burying Ground (a few steps from this marker); Once upon a time in Norwich... (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel Huntington (within shouting distance of this marker); Tomb of Samuel Huntington (within shouting distance of this marker); Gravesite of Boston Trowtrow, Norwich's "Black Governor" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Old Burying Ground (about 400 feet away); John Mason (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norwich.

More about this memorial. Located in the Old Norwichtown Burial Ground. The marker was

Photographed by Conrad Ward, October 20, 2024

2. En Memoire de Vingt Compagnons de Lafayette

reportedly erected in the 1920's.

Also see . . . French Nationals Buried in Norwichtown.

There is a persistent story that twenty French soldiers were buried in Norwichtown in 1778, during the American Revolution. Careful investigation indicates that, indeed, twenty Frenchmen were interred in Norwich at this time, but that they have been incorrectly identified as soldiers. The basis for this story is Frances Manwaring Caulkins, who wrote in her History of Norwich, Connecticut from its settlement in 1660, to January 1845 (Norwich: Thomas Robinson, 1845, page 237):

(Submitted on March 29, 2025.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 131 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 29, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.