Please restrict you searching here to daylight hours!
John Jouett, Jr. (December 7, 1754 – March 1, 1822), commonly called Jack, was a farmer and politician in Virginia and Kentucky, best known for his 40-mile ride during the American Revolution in 1781. Sometimes called the "Paul Revere of the South", Jouett rode to warn Thomas Jefferson, then the outgoing governor of Virginia, and the Virginia legislature who had also fled the new state's capitol before electing his successor, that British cavalry under the command of Col. Banastre Tarleton had been sent to capture them. Col. Tarleton was the real life inspiration for the Col. Tavington character in the Mel Gibson movie, "The Patriot", and was just as brutal.
Many believe that if it had not been for this ride, the key players of the Revolution would have been captured and executed, thereby stopping the Revolution cold. It can easily be argued that this ride was far more important than Paul Revere's! Maybe ol' Paul would have been the "Jack Jouett of the North" had he not had a good PR man to write a poem about him!
After the war, Jack moved to what was then called Kentucky County, Virginia. Besides running an large farm, he served three terms in the Virginia House of Delegates before Kentucky's gained statehood in 1792. He later served three terms in the Kentucky House of Representatives before mocing to Woodford County and built this house, all but the roof of which is original, in 1797.
He is also known for his involvement in building the horse industry in the area and was one of the founders of the Lexington Jockey Club.
His family lived here about 12 years before moving on to Bath County.
Complete the Adventure Lab here to learn a bit more about him and the house. If you are here when they are open, take a tour. It's all free and they have lots of information to share!
Take a little stroll down from the house to find this easy cache.
While you are here, don't miss the other cache on site!
* This cache was placed with the permission, cooperation, and assistance of the Jack Jouett House Historic Site management.
