Hercules of the American Revolution  — Peter FranciscoIn 1765 a young boy was found abandoned

Hercules of the American Revolution  — Peter FranciscoIn 1765 a young boy was found abandoned at the docks of City Point, VA.  He spoke no English and was taken in by the family of Judge Anthony Winston, who raised him as his own son.  He was named Peter Francisco because he was thought to have come from Portugal or the Azores.  He grew to an impressive stature, over 6'6’’ tall and 260 pounds.  The average man at the time was 5'6’’. Due to his large size he began a career as a skilled blacksmith.When independence was declared from Britain in 1776, Francisco joined the 10th Virginia regiment.  He served with incredible valor, often charging into the ranks of British soldiers, swinging a sword and musket, tossing soldiers like rag dolls, and cracking their heads together. Often times his incredible ferocity helped rally disheartened American soldiers who felt the battle was lost.  He was personal friends with the Marquis de Lafeyette and Gen. George Washington, and Washington notes several times in his diary how Francisco’s ferocious fighting style and courage had saved the Continental Army from disaster.  After the Battle of Camden he was said to have picked up and carried a thousand pound canon rather than have it fall into the hands of the British.  Throughout the war he had suffered many serious wounds but managed to recover fully.He often complained that his sword was too small for his own size, comparing it to weilding a toothpick.  George Washinton had a custom broadsword made to fit his stature measuring six feet long.  Francisco later used it to kill 11 British soldiers at the Battle of Guilford Court House.After the war Francisco was married and widowed three times.  He had seven children.  During his peacetime life he gained a reputation as a very kindhearted man, feeding the poor, caring for the elderly, and housing homeless strangers in his own home.  In the last three years of his life he served as Sargeant At Arms in the Virginia State Senate. He died of appendicities in 1831 at the age of 70.The pictures above are of re-enactor Travis Bowman with a replica sword.  He also stands 6'6’’ and is a 6th generation descendent of Peter Francisco.http://peterfrancisco.blogspot.com/ -- source link

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