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2020 SESSION
WHEREAS, Peter Francisco, a hero of the American Revolution who played a pivotal role in the foundation of the United States through his bravery and valor, died 189 years ago on January 16, 1831; and
WHEREAS, born Pedro Francisco in 1760 on the Portuguese island of Terceira, Peter Francisco was kidnapped as a child and found in 1765 on the docks of City Point, Virginia; he was taken in by the Honorable Anthony Winston of Buckingham County, whose family had ties to Patrick Henry; and
WHEREAS, Peter Francisco was tutored by the Winston family and apprenticed as a blacksmith; he was especially large for the time period and, due to his size and strength, became known as the “Virginian Hercules” or the “Virginia Giant”; and
WHEREAS, in 1776, at the age of 16, Peter Francisco joined the 10th Virginia Regiment of the Continental Army; he fought with distinction at several engagements during the Revolutionary War, including the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Valley Forge, and Monmouth Court House; and
WHEREAS, at the Battle of Stony Point, Peter Francisco was the second man to enter the British fort and captured the enemy flag; following the Battle of Camden, he single-handedly carried away a cannon to keep it from falling into enemy hands; and
WHEREAS, after sustaining severe wounds at the Battle of Guilford Court House, Peter Francisco returned to Buckingham County to recuperate and volunteered to spy on the British Legion, more commonly known as Tarleton’s Raiders, who were operating in the area; in 1781, he returned to the Continental Army to witness the British surrender at Yorktown; and
WHEREAS, later in life, Peter Francisco served as Sergeant-at-Arms to the Senate of Virginia; he was buried with full military honors at Shockoe Hill Cemetery in Richmond; and
WHEREAS, the Society of the Descendants of Peter Francisco, a nonprofit genealogical society based in Buckingham County, preserves the memory of Peter Francisco, his contributions to the nation, and celebrates Peter Francisco Day every March 15; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby commemorate the life and legacy of Peter Francisco on the 189th anniversary of his death; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Society of the Descendants of Peter Francisco as an expression of the House of Delegates’ admiration for Peter Francisco’s unique contributions to the formation of the United States.