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

Peter Francisco

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 7, 2026

1. Peter Francisco Marker

Inscription.
Here, at Westcreek Peter Francisco Captured single-handed nine of Tarleton's Dragoons, July 1781

Erected 1931 by James Allen Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1781.

Location. 37° 14.635′ N, 78° 5.763′ W. Marker is in Crewe, Virginia, in Nottoway County. It is on West Creek Road (Virginia Route 619) 1.7 miles east of Good Hope Road, on the left when traveling east. Marker is at the entrance to the Southside VA R.C. Club Flying Field. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2925 W Creek Rd, 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 North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Nottoway County / Amelia County (approx. 2½ miles away); Francisco's Fight (approx. 2½ miles away); a different marker also named Nottoway County / Amelia County (approx. 3.1 miles away); Jetersville (approx. 3½ miles away); Lee's Retreat (approx. 3.6 miles away); a different marker also named Lee's Retreat (approx. 3.6 miles away); a different marker also named Lee's Retreat (approx. 3.6 miles away); a different marker also named Lee's Retreat (approx. 4.9 miles away).

Regarding Peter Francisco. Though Francisco certainly killed one plundering Dragoon at Benjamin Ward's Tavern, there is considerable variance in the rest of the story. Different accounts give the British headcount as 1, or 3, or, at maximum, 9 Dragoons- in each case accompanied by 3-4 escaped slaves giving aid to the British in return for their freedom. What is certain is that he did not capture nine Dragoons. He may have

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 7, 2026

2. Peter Francisco Marker

Context view. The brushy wooded area beyond the marker slopes down into a ravine, so would not be the site of Ward's Tavern where Francisco's scrap began. The tavern site must be either just up the road where a modern house stands, or to the left of this view on the flat plain.

fought that many, but even in the most generous of retellings, his captives were eight horses, not nine soldiers.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. They are all in the local area and provide context and detail on the fight.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 7, 2026

3. Peter Francisco Marker

Facing east on West Creek Road

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 7, 2026

4. Peter Francisco Marker

This view looks from West Creek Road north. The precise location of the tavern is not readily evident from the marker or on 3D elevation imagery from USGIS, but based on the topography it was presumably somewhere on this flat plain by the road.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 84 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 19, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.