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.
Francisco's Fight. . 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.
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.)
Location. 37° 15.974′ N, 78° 7.923′ W. Marker is near Crewe, Virginia, in Nottoway County. Marker 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers
Click or scan to see this page online
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); 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); a different marker also named Lee's Retreat (approx. 4.7 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.)
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 10, 2009
2. Patrick Henry Highway (facing west)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,146 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on May 16, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
