University of Virginia Library

JOUETT.

Among the earliest entries on the Court records of Albemarle
in 1745, is a notice of the death of Matthew Jouett, and
the appointment of John Moore as his executor. It can
scarcely be doubted that John Jouett, who was for many years
a prominent citizen of Charlottesville, was a son of this
Matthew. In 1773 John purchased from John Moore one hundred
acres adjoining 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
three hundred acres south of the town, including the
mill now owned by Hartman. 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 three 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 the 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, daughter of Robert Harris, of Brown's
Cove, and his children Matthew, John, Robert, Margaret, the
wife of Nathan Crawford, Mary, the wife of Thomas Allen,
Frances, the wife of Menan Mills, Elizabeth, the wife of
Clifton Rodes, Charles, and Susan, the wife of Thomas C.
Fletcher.

Matthew was a Captain in the Revolutionary army, and
fell in the battle of Brandywine. John succeeded his father
in conducting the Swan, but shortly after removed to Bath
County, Kentucky. His wife was Sarah Robards, a sister of
the first husband of President Jackson's wife. Robert was
also a Captain in the war of the Revolution, and afterwards a
member of the Albemarle bar. He owned and resided on
the lot on the Square where the Saunders House now stands.
He died in 1796, leaving a daughter Alice, who became the
wife of James W. Bouldin, of Charlotte County. She and
her husband in 1818 conveyed this lot, and the square on
High Street on which Dr. Hugh Nelson lives, to John Winn.
Charles Jouett removed to the West. In the latter part of
1804 he was in Detroit, but whether he settled there is not
known. His father devised to him the tract of land south of
Charlottesville, and in 1813 he and his wife Susan conveyed
it to William D. Meriwether. This explains why the mill
was known as Meriwether's for many years. Most of the
daughters removed with their husbands to Kentucky.

The general tradition about Charlottesville has always
been, that it was John Jouett Sr. who performed the exploit
of outstripping Tarleton, and apprising 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 already

alluded to, 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. It has recently been learned
from Thomas M. Green, of Kentucky, that the descendants
of the family residing in that State, claim that the bold and
opportune ride from Louisa C. H. was made by John Jouett
Jr., that the Legislature of Virginia presented him with a
sword in commemoration of the deed, and that the sword
still remains in the family as a testimonial of the fact. If
the sword was given by the Legislature, the act, or resolution,
directing the presentation ought to appear in its proceedings;
but Hening's Statutes for the period have been
searched for it in vain. As the father and son bore the same
name, might it not be that the achievement belonged to the
father, and the sword of acknowledgment descended by gift
or inheritance to the son?