The Society welcomes Virginie de Pusy Lafayette

On Tuesday, April 15, 2025 the Society was pleased to welcome Virginie de Pusy Lafayette on her visit to Charleston as she travels in the United States commemorating her ancestor on The Lafayette Tour.

Virginie de Pusy Lafayette and Charlton deSaussure

Mr. deSaussure is a direct Huger descendant and it was on the Huger’s property near Georgetown, SC that Lafayette first arrived at the age of 19.

How very special it was to welcome Virginie, a seventh-generation descendant of the Marquis de Lafayette. She is serving as the official ambassador for a commemorative tour celebrating Lafayette’s farewell tour of the United States in 1824-1825. She was hosted in Charleston by Mr. and Mrs. Peter Fisher (Betsy).

The day began at the Society’s headquarters where Virginie and her host Betsy were welcomed by Elizabeth Gay, Cheves Leland, and Renee Marshall. Betsy, Cheves and Elizabeth share another connection as they all finished at Hollins University in Virginia. Betsy and Elizabeth are friends via the NSDAR and both are thereby connected with the Rochambeau Chapter in France where Virginie is a member. All these connections made for a fast friendship around the table with many smiles and shared stories. The visit included a podcast recording that will publish in the coming weeks. The conversation included a discussion on the Huguenots and their arrival to Carolina, Lafayette’s arrival and later the attempted rescue from prison by Francis Kinloch Huger, and learning of Virginie’s impressions of the cities she has visited during her travels with the farewell tour. We learned of Virginie’s lineage from not only Lafayette but also Rochambeau. She and her husband have six lovely children, three daughters and three sons.

Outside the Society Headquarters

Betsy Fisher, Renee Marshall, Cheves Leland, Elizabeth Gay and Virginie de Pusy Lafayette.

A “fau” becomes a “fay”

The word "fau" (plural "faux") in Old French and French dialects means "beech tree". Specifically, it refers to the dwarf beech trees found in the Faux de Verzy forest near Reims, France. “Fau” becomes “Fay” and “ette” refers to small, ergo la fayette would be a small beechwood tree grove. After his arrival in the colonies, “de la fayette” becomes Lafayette. We all had a smile at this story with Virginie as the early colonists even “anglized” the Marquis’ name as they did so very many French names during the first generations of Huguenots in the Carolina. It was delightful to hear Virginie explain the origin of the name and how it evolved.

Joining the discussion at headquarters was Mr. Charlton deSaussure, Society past President, who visited with Virginie and presented her with a beautiful hardback book his father had published on the family lineage. The lineage will be of particular interest as Lafayette had a special relationship with the Huger family as was recently presented by the Society at its Lafayette 200 talk held in April at the French Protestant (Huguenot) Church. After lunch, Virginie was welcomed at the deSaussure’s home for a visit and was able to view a reproduction miniature of the Marquis as done by Charles Frasier as well as other interesting treasures. The home on Meeting Street in Charleston is where the Huger family hosted Lafayette in 1825 when he visited Charleston.

Visiting the Daniel Huger House

Mr. Charlton deSaussure welcomed Virginie to his home where Lafayette was a guest in 1825.

Mr. and Mrs. Charlton deSaussure (Ann) with Virginie.

The celebrations continued at an early supper at Rue de Jean where the group was joined by Society board member, Catherine Murray-Smith. A delicious meal of mussels, salmon and other delights was enjoyed and several Society members were in the same restaurant as all were having supper prior the Lafayette concert which followed. Held at the Charleston Music Hall next door to the restaurant, the The Lafayette Musical & Immersive Bicentennial Tour (1825-2025) concert with conductor Thomas Zehetmair and the National Orchestra of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, was a most enjoyable event. Music of Mozart and Beethoven accompanied video vignettes presenting Lafayette’s life history. Born at the Château de Chavaniac, in Auvergne, the Marquis de Lafayette is an emblematic historical figure who is a lasting symbol of the strong bond between France and the United States.

It seemed only fitting that we should dine at Rue de Jean for a French supper before the concert. Everyone enjoyed mussels, salmon, salads and more.

At the concert our group enjoyed seeing fellow Society members Mr. and Mrs. Vic Brandt, Mr. Matthew Breen, Mr. and Mrs. Park Dougherty, Mr. and Mrs. George Smythe, among other members in the audience. Also in attendance were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Volpi of The American Friends of Lafayette. It was a wonderful night of French descendants celebrating our great French ally.

It was a joyful and celebratory day and the Society is so pleased to have been able to celebrate Lafayette with Virginie. Her ancestor was a lifelong ally to the Protestant toleration in France as well as personal liberty for all. You may read more of the Society’s celebration of Lafayette via the Blog links below. We extend our thanks to Virginie for her time with us and we thank Betsy and Peter for hosting her. We look forward to future visits!