The LaFayette Jewel

General Lafayette visited America in 1824-25 as guest of the nation and while here in America he was invited by the City of Camden, S.C. to participate in laying a cornerstone of a monument to Baron DeKalb, designed by the famous architect, Robert Mills. He was touched by and accepted the invitation and arrived in Camden on August 8, 1825. On the following day he performed the duties in accordance with the Dispensation from Most Worshipful Brother John Geddes, Grand Master of Masons in South Carolina., dated February 28th, 1825. General Lafayette used a silver trowel made of Mexican coins, by Alexander Young for this special occasion, and it has ever since been known as the Lafayette Trowel. It is now the property of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina.

The afternoon before the cornerstone ceremony, Kershaw Lodge No. 29 convened at four o'clock to officially receive General Lafayette. On being presented in the lodge he was welcomed by Worshipful Brother Abraham De Leon, also a Frenchman, who addressed and welcomed General Lafayette in their mother tongue. Brother Lafayette, being overjoyed at this reception removed his Grand Masters Jewel of France, approached Worshipful Brother De Leon and placed it around his neck as a personal gift and souvenir of the occasion. It has ever since been known as the Lafayette Jewel. W. Bro. De Leon, a physician, came to Camden from Charleston, to which he later returned and affiliated with Friendship Lodge No. 9. After his death his family presented the Lafayette Jewel to Friendship Lodge to be preserved for posterity. It remains in the archives of Friendship Lodge, No. 9.

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Taken from a book Dedicated to the Memory of W. Bro. Leonard H. Fortunato, P.M. of Landmark Lodge, No. 76 and slightly revised. 8/9/96.