Peter
[middle name?]
"Pedro"
Francisco
Sr.
Born February 9, 1760
in Terceira, Azores
Son of
[father?] and
[mother?]
[brothers or sisters?]
Husband of
Susannah Francisco
(Married in
[location?] [marriage date?])
Father of
James Francisco, Polly Francisco, Susan Francisco, Benjamin Francisco, Peter Francisco and Catherine Francisco [add child]
Died January 16, 1831
in Richmond, VA
About Peter Francisco
"Virginia Giant" or “Giant of the Revolution” - an American Patriot Foot six inches tall, weight 260 pounds.
Peter (Pedro) Francisco was born about 1760 -- possibly Portuguese from the Azores.
Possibly kidnapped from his homeland and taken to America, found in June 1765 and was raised by Judge Anthony Winston (uncle of Patrick Henry).
Peter was schooled and trained as a blacksmith.
He heard in 1775 Patrick Henry give the “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech. He became a supporter of the colonies breaking away from England.
By 1776, Peter joined the 10th Virginia Militia as a private. A 5-foot sword was given him by Gen. George Washington after Francisco's complaint that ordinary swords were too light.
Peter was wounded at the Battle of Brandywine, was at Valley Forge with Washington and Lafayette. Wounded again in 1778 at the Battle of Monmouth, then in the big Battle of Cowpens after starting his third enlistment. At Cowpens he was part of Lt. Col. William Washington’s troops.
He was at Battle of Stony Point, wounded again with a British bayonet (that soldier he then killed), that British soldier was under Lt. Col Basastre Tarleton. Then at Battle of Camden, then with Colonel Watkins at Guilford Courthouse Battle where he was bayoneted again in the leg. In the various battles he killed 11 men.
After Guilford Courthouse battle he defeated Tarleton’s Raiders in what was called “Francisco’s Fight” and made off with most of their horses. Peter was at Yorktown to see the British surrender.
As stated by General George Washington: “... that Francisco's prowess directly enabled American victories in two battles." “The war may have even been lost without Francisco's participation.”
At war’s end in 1783, Peter went home to Buckingham, Virginia. Had a farm house and land named “Locust Grove” in Richmond, VA, from his first wife, Susannah. Over his life he married three times (Susannah Anderson, Catherine Fauntleroy Brooke and Mary Beverly Grymes West) - the first two wives died and he had several children.
Children:
James Anderson Francisco, and Polly Francisco (1st wife)
Susan Brooke Francisco, Benjamin M. Francisco, Peter Francisco, II, and Catherine Fauntleroy Francisco (with 2nd wife).
He was a legend in his own time.
Peter died of appendicitis Jan. 16, 1831 in Richmond, VA.
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On November 18,
Alice Luckhardt
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