|
Louisa County
Formed in 1742 from Hanover County, Louisa County was named after
Princess Louisa, daughter of King George II and Queen Caroline of
England and wife of King Frederick V of Denmark. Its central Virginia
location put it squarely in the path of Revolutionary and Civil War
action and other historical events.
It was from Cuckoo Tavern in Louisa County that on June 3, 1781, Jack
Jouett rode through the night to Charlottesville and Monticello warning
Governor Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia Assemblymen of the
approaching British army.
When Jouett arrived at Monticello, he was out of breath and it is
said that Jefferson told him to have a seat and a glass of wine. When Jouett
explained that the British were coming, Jefferson and his family went up
the hill behind Monticello in order to evade the British. He later came
back down the hill to gather important papers, but dropped his sword on
the way. When he fetched his sword, he looked through his scope and saw
that the British were already advancing up the hill to Monticello. If
Jefferson had come back to the house, he would most certainly have been
killed.
The Battle of Trevilian Station, the largest cavalry battle of the
War Between the States, was fought in western Louisa County.
Always primarily agricultural, the county still has many lovely homes
from the 18th and 19th centuries. County history in a little more depth
can be found on the Town of
Louisa website.
|
|
