John Jouett

A Patriot of the American Revolution for Virginia. DAR Ancestor #: A062749

John Jouett Sr. was a Captain of Virginia State Militia in the Revolutionary War, and a signer of the Albemarle Co., Declaration of Independence, 21 April 1779. Clifton Rodes was the executor of John Jouett. It can scarcely be doubted that John Jouett, who was for many years a prominent citizen of Charlottesville, was a son of this Matthew. 1773 John Jouett purchased from John Moore 100 acres adjoinging the town on the east and north, and at that time most likely erected the Swan Tavern, of famous memory. Three years later he bought from the same gentleman 300 acres south of town, including the mill now owned by Hartman. The general tradition about Charlottesville has always been, that it was John Jouett Sr. who performed the exploit of outstripping Tarleton, and ap- prising Mr. Jefferson and the Legislature of his approach in 1781. It was supposed that the appeal for a monument to be raised to his memory was based upon the recognition of the splendid act, by which he honored the town of his residence, and conferred one of the greatest benefits on the State and Country; but unfortunately the file of papers which contained the appeal, was consumed in 1895 by the fire at the University where it was deposited. In 1790 he laid out High Street, with the row of lots on either side, and by an act of the Legislature they were vested in trustees to sell at auction, after giving 3 weeks' notice in the Virginia Gazette. He kept the Swan until his death in 1802.

In the Central Gazette of October 8th, 1824, there appeared an earnest appeal to citizens of Charlottesville to erect a stone over his grave, but the voice died away unheeded, and the grave is now unknown. At the time of his death, and for many years after, no public place of burial in the town existed. According to the custom of that day, he was most probably buried in the yard in the rear of his house, and his remains lie somewhere in the square on which the old Town Hall is situated. His wife was Mourning Harris, daughter of Robert Harris, of Brown's Cove.

Most of the daughters removed with their husbands to Kentucky.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/193073467/john-jouett