The Tavern At Cuckoo

The Tavern At Cuckoo. Jouett's Midnight Departure. Late on the night of June 3, 1781, John "Jack" Jouett Jr. emerged from the tavern that once stood behind you, jumped on his horse Sally, and began his midnight ride to save Thomas Jefferson and Virginia's legislature from British capture., British forces, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton, intended to prevent the Virginia General Assembly from convening in Charlottesville. As Tarleton and over 180 men camped near Louisa Courthouse, Jouett rode ahead by moonlight., Arriving at Monticello in the early morning hours, Jouett alerted Jefferson of Tarleton's movements. He continued into town, rousing other assembly members including Patrick Henry, Thomas Nelson Jr., and Richard Henry Lee. While most legislators fled to safety in Staunton, others were not so lucky. Seven assemblymen were captured by Tarleton near Castle Hill., After the war, Jouett moved to Kentucky and served as a state house representative. Jouett died in 1822 but his legacy lives on., (captions) , The only known likeness of Jouett, made by his son, artist Matthew Harris Jouett, in the early 19th century, Growing up in Louisa County, Jack was familiar with the area. In addition to their tavern and residence in Charlottesville, the Jouetts maintained the family farm located just down the road ahead until at least 1786. The exact route of Jouett's ride is unknown but approximated here based on historic maps., Mutual Assurance Policy for Cuckooville Tavern, 1802 , Courtesy Library of Virginia , While legend has Jack asleep on the tavern lawn, taverns or ordinaries functioned as restaurants, hotels, and meeting places. In fact, Jouett was at the ordinary conducting business and catching up on the latest news including Tarleton's movements earlier that day. The complex depicted here included a tavern, stable, kitchen, lumber house, and storehouse.