Norwichtown in Southeastern Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Twenty French Soldiers Memorial
Photographed by Conrad Ward, October 20, 2024
1. Twenty French Soldiers Memorial Marker
twenty French soldiers
who, serving under
Lafayette,
died while in camp at
Norwich Town 1778
Placed by
Faith Trumbull Chapter D.A.R.
1901
Erected 1901 by Faith Trumbull Chapter D.A.R.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1778.
Location. 41° 32.908′ N, 72° 5.585′ W. Memorial is in Norwich in Southeastern Region, Connecticut. It is in Norwichtown. It can be reached from Old Cemetery Lane. Located in the Old Norwichtown Burial Ground. 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 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.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: En Memoire de Vingt Compagnons de Lafayette (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.
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(Submitted on March 29, 2025.)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)...Photographed by Conrad Ward, October 20, 20242. Twenty French Soldiers Memorial
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 179 times since then and 28 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.
