Near Crewe in Nottoway County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Francisco's Fight

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 10, 2009

1. Francisco's Fight Marker

Inscription. American Revolutionary soldier Peter Francisco in July 1781 encountered about nine of British Lt. Gen. Banastre Tarleton's dragoons to the east at Ward's Tavern. Using his legendary strength and cunning, Francisco single-handedly bested his enemies, sending them in retreat, and allowing him to capture a number of their horses. Standing more than 6 feet tall and weighing about 260 pounds, Francisco was celebrated for his feats of strength and bravery, attributes featured in a number of period drawings and paintings. He served as the Sergeant-at-Arms for the Virginia House of Delegates from the late 1820s to his death in Jan. 1831 and is buried in Shockoe Hill Cemetery in Richmond.

Erected 2003 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number M-18.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1781.

Location. 37° 15.974′ N, 78° 7.923′ W. Marker is near Crewe, Virginia, in Nottoway County. It is on Patrick Henry Highway (U.S. 360) 0.9 miles west of Holly Farms Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Crewe VA 23930, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Southside Virginia,

and specifically in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Nottoway County / Amelia County (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Nottoway County / Amelia County (approx. 0.6 miles away); Peter Francisco (approx. 2½ miles away); Lee's Retreat (approx. 2.7 miles away); a different marker also named Lee's Retreat (approx. 2.7 miles away); a different marker also named Lee's Retreat (approx. 2.7 miles away); Jetersville (approx. 2.8 miles away); a different marker also named Lee's Retreat (approx. 4.6 miles away).

Also see . . . Peter Francisco: A One Man Army. George Washington said of Francisco, "Without him we would have lost two crucial battles, perhaps the War, and with it our freedom. He was truly a One-Man Army." (Submitted on June 11, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Patrick Henry Highway (facing west) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 10, 2009

2. Patrick Henry Highway (facing west)

Francisco's Fight Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 7, 2026

3. Francisco's Fight Location

The vicinity of Ward's Tavern was marked in 1931 by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. This view looks from West Creek Road north. The precise location of the tavern is not readily evident, but the ground falls away into a ravine to the right of the monument, so presumably the place was somewhere on this flat plain by the road.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,676 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 16, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on February 19, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.