Legend has it that George Washington created the first groomsman hitching post or Jocko in honor of the frozen slave in the 1770s. General Washington wanted to mount a surprise attack on a British encampment during the Revolutionary war. A young black man named Tom Graves wanted to fight but Washington said he was too young and asked the boy to hold a lantern for the troops as they crossed the Delaware. When the troops road back after the battle instead of finding their horses hitched to a post the reins were in the hands of Graves who had frozen to death. Washington was moved by the boys dedication and ordered a statue made in his honor.



After the war and after serving as the first president of United States George Washington returned to his estate at Mount Vernon there he ordered two sculptures to be erected commemorating America's greatest political and military crisis a dove of peace and ironwork was added to the Cupola as a weather vane and a statue of Jocko stepping bravely forward to hold the horses as if saying "I will" was set up on the lawn before the mansion.



The history of the Mount Aetna furnace located in Washington County in Mount Aetna, Maryland.

The Hughes family ran a prosperous iron business built in Mount Aetna, Maryland and other furnaces near the Black Rocks above the Beaver Creek. The furnaces were built and run by Barnabas and his sons Samuel & Daniel Hughes. The Hughes family who were major suppliers of arms to the Revolutionary Army. The Hughes Iron Furnace was the largest military iron producing facility in Maryland. The Hughes owned a large tract of land called Mount Aetna which contained 4,482 acres.The Association of the Hughes brothers with the American war for Independence attaches additional historical importance to the furnace.


Based on the history of the Hughes family and our ties to the Hughes family through my great-grandmother Iola Hughes we have heard the story passed down through the generations that this cast iron statue of Jocko Graves was cast by my ancestors of the Hughes Iron Furnace family. We have had this piece in our family for well over 100- years.

The only problem is that no one can find record of Jocko Graves or for that matter a statue of a boy at Mount Vernon. We believe that this piece may be the original statue of Jocko Graves that was located at the Mount Vernon estates.


I am searching for more information and the possible value of this rare piece of history if there is anyone who has more information or is interested in purchasing this unique piece please contact:

Philip Physioc @
psp112005@yahoo.com
or call (702) 822-0237





————-Details————

Height: 50”
Arm that holds lantern: 12”
Depth of head: 6”
Base: 9” x 9”
Weight Approx. 500 lbs.
“Solid Cast Iron”



















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