John “Jack” Jouett, Revolutionary patriot, was born in Albemarle County, Virginia, on December 7, 1754. He was the second son of Captain John Jouett and his wife, Mourning Harris. Little is known of his early life except that he was gigantic at six feet four inches and weighing over two hundred pounds, yet he was an expert rider and a sure shot with the rifle. He was one of a group of Albemarle citizens who signed an oath of allegiance to the commonwealth of Virginia in 1779. He also was a captain in the Virginia militia. Although he is known for making Kentucky a state, he is most famous for his daring and exciting ride of more than forty miles to save Governor Thomas Jefferson and Virginia leaders from capture.
On June 3, 1781, Cornwallis sent 250 mounted horses under his "hunting leopard," Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton, to ride 70 miles to Charlottesville, where the legislature had fled from Richmond. Their goals were to capture Thomas Jefferson, break up the Assembly, and destroy certain stores. Jouett was at Cuckoo Tavern when Tarleton's troopers swept along the main road shortly before midnight. Guessing their purpose, he snuck around the enemy's camp, rode through the night across the countryside over twisty, unused paths, rocky hillsides, and around vines and trees until, finally, he reached "Monticello" before sunrise.
After warning Jefferson he quickly went on to spread the alarm. Meanwhile, Tarleton was delayed on purpose at Dr. Thomas Walker's home. When he finally reached Charlottesville two hours later he found Jefferson and most of the Assembly escaped. Several members of the Assembly were taken. However, those most wanted by the British, Richard Henry Lee, Benjamin Harrison, Nelson, Henry and Thomas Jefferson, were safe. The legislature came together again in the town of Staunton and right away they voted to give Jouett "an elegant sword and pair of pistols" in thanks for his quick-thinking and bold actions. The sword was not delivered to him until 1803.
The year following his history-making ride Jouett moved to Mercer County, Virginia (now in Kentucky) and married Sallie Robards on August 20, 1784. He was active in local affairs, and quickly became well-known in the community. He was friendly, handsome, cheerful and made friends easily. He represented Lincoln and Mercer counties in the Virginia Assembly and was a strong leader in helping Kentucky to become a separate state. Later in his life, he was know for importing fine breeds of foreign cattle to the area, which was very important in making Kentucky a great stock-raising center.
Jouett died on March 1, 1822. He was buried in the family cemetery at his Bath County farm.
Bibliography
"John Jouett."Dictionary of American Biography Base Set. American Council of Learned Societies, 1928-1936. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale, 2009. http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/BioRC
On June 3, 1781, Cornwallis sent 250 mounted horses under his "hunting leopard," Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton, to ride 70 miles to Charlottesville, where the legislature had fled from Richmond. Their goals were to capture Thomas Jefferson, break up the Assembly, and destroy certain stores. Jouett was at Cuckoo Tavern when Tarleton's troopers swept along the main road shortly before midnight. Guessing their purpose, he snuck around the enemy's camp, rode through the night across the countryside over twisty, unused paths, rocky hillsides, and around vines and trees until, finally, he reached "Monticello" before sunrise.
After warning Jefferson he quickly went on to spread the alarm. Meanwhile, Tarleton was delayed on purpose at Dr. Thomas Walker's home. When he finally reached Charlottesville two hours later he found Jefferson and most of the Assembly escaped. Several members of the Assembly were taken. However, those most wanted by the British, Richard Henry Lee, Benjamin Harrison, Nelson, Henry and Thomas Jefferson, were safe. The legislature came together again in the town of Staunton and right away they voted to give Jouett "an elegant sword and pair of pistols" in thanks for his quick-thinking and bold actions. The sword was not delivered to him until 1803.
The year following his history-making ride Jouett moved to Mercer County, Virginia (now in Kentucky) and married Sallie Robards on August 20, 1784. He was active in local affairs, and quickly became well-known in the community. He was friendly, handsome, cheerful and made friends easily. He represented Lincoln and Mercer counties in the Virginia Assembly and was a strong leader in helping Kentucky to become a separate state. Later in his life, he was know for importing fine breeds of foreign cattle to the area, which was very important in making Kentucky a great stock-raising center.
Jouett died on March 1, 1822. He was buried in the family cemetery at his Bath County farm.
Bibliography
"John Jouett."Dictionary of American Biography Base Set. American Council of Learned Societies, 1928-1936. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale, 2009. http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/BioRC