North Downtown in Charlottesville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Jack Jouett’s Ride

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 15, 2008

1. Jack Jouett’s Ride Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

On 4 June 1781, John “Jack” Jouett Jr. arrived at the Albemarle County Courthouse to warn the Virginia legislature of approaching British troops. The state government under Governor Thomas Jefferson had retreated from Richmond to reconvene in Charlottesville because of the threat of British invasion during the Revolutionary War. Jouett had spotted Colonel Banastre Tarleton and his 180 dragoons and 70 cavalrymen 40 miles east at Cuckoo Tavern, and rode through the night to reach here by dawn. Jouett’s heroic ride, which allowed Jefferson and all but seven of the legislators to escape, was later recognized by the Virginia General Assembly, which awarded him a sword and a pair of pistols.

Erected 1998 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-17.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is June 4, 1781.

Location. 38° 1.912′

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N, 78° 28.627′ W. Marker is in Charlottesville, Virginia. It is in North Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of East High Street and Park Street, on the right when traveling east on East High Street. It is at the corner of the old courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Charlottesville VA 22902, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Town Hall / Levy Opera House (a few steps from this marker); Site of Old Swan Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Courthouse Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Albemarle County Court House (within shouting distance of this marker); A Bicentennial Tribute (within shouting distance of this marker); Albemarle County (within shouting distance of this marker); Lynching in America / Lynching of John Henry James (within shouting distance of this marker); Mercantile Business (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlottesville.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . Jack Jouett of Virginia – The “Other Ride”. “No sooner had the hoofbeats of the British Dragoons faded into the night, when Captain Jouett saddled his horse and plunged into the dense woods. Virginia Dabney wrote in his version of this

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 15, 2008

2. Jack Jouett’s Ride Marker

This is the back of the courthouse.

story in the June, 1928 issue of Scribner’s magazine, “The unfrequented pathway over which this horseman set out on his all-night journey can only be imagined. His progress was greatly impeded by matted undergrowth, tangled bush, overhanging vines and gullies ... his face was cruelly lashed by tree limbs as he rode forward and scars said to have remained the rest of his life were the result of lacerations sustained from these lowhanging branches’.” (Submitted on May 2, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,984 times since then and 103 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 2, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.