Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1855-07-05
PETER FRANCISCO:

AS late as the year lOoo, 1uoi0
lived in Western Virginia, man
whose strength was SO remarkable as
to win him the title of the "Western
Sampson" He knew nothing OF his
birth or parentage, but supposed he
was born in Portugal, from whence
he was stolen when child, and car
ried to Ireland. His earliest recol-
lections were those Of boyhood in the
latter country. While yet a lad, he
apprenticed himself to sea captain,
forseven years, in pay for a passage
| to this country. On his arrival, his
time and services were seld to q Air.
Winston, of Virginia, in whose ser
vice he remained until the breaking
out ofthe Revolutions. Being of an
adventurous turn of mind, he sought
and obtained permission of his mas
ter to join the army, and was en-
gagged in actual service during the
whole contest. Such was his strength
and personal bravery, that no enemy
could resist him. He welded a
sword, the blade of which was five
feet in length, as though it had been
a feather, and every one who came
in contact with him paid the brtelt
of his life. AtStoney Point he was
one of the "forlorn hope" which was
advanced to cut away the abattis, and
next to Maj. Gibbons, was the first
one to enter the works. At Brandy
wine and Monmouth he exhibited
the most fearless bravery, and moth
ing but his inability to write pre-.
vented bis promotion toa commits
sion.
Many anecdotes are told of Fran
cisco, illustrative Of his immense
strength aud personal prowess. At
Camden, where Gates was defeated,
he retreated, and after running along
the road some distance he sat down
to rest himself. Ho was suddenly
accosted by British dragoSn, who
presented pistol and demanded his
immediate surrender. His gun being
empty he feigned submission, and
said he would surrender, at the same
time remarking that his gun was OF
no further use to him, he presented it
sideways to the trooper, who, in reach
ING for it, threw himself off his guard,
when Francisco, quick as thought, ran
him through with the bayonet, and as
he fell from his horse, he mounted
him and continued bis retreat. Over
taking his commanding officer, Col.
Mayo, of Powhattan, he gave him up
the animal, for which act Of generosi-
ty the Col. afterwards presented him
with thousand acres Of land IN Ken
lucky.
The following anecdote exemplify-
ing his peaceful nature and his strength,
is also told of Francisco. How true
it IS we cannot say, but we will tell 1t
as it was told to US, many years ago,
while he was still living inBucking-
ham county, Virginia.
One day while working in his gar
den he was accosted by a stranger
who rode up to the fence and inquired
| if he knew '::where q man by the
name of Francisco lived.
Raising himself from his work, and
eyeing his interrogator, who appeared
Ito be one of the 'balf-horse-halt-alliga
tor breed of Kentuckians, be replied.
"WelL, stranger, l don't know OF any
lother person-by that name In these
parts but myself"
aWen, ] reckon you amt the man
I / want. [ want to find the grea'
fighting man I've heard tell so much
about. The fellow, they say, Cal
whip all creation and kaintuck t
boot"
], q can't tell you, stranger, where
/ you'll find that man, l don't know
such a man. y said Francisco, ,rasumlns
his work as hint to the other that th'
} conferences was ended. But the Ken
tuekian was not to be blutfed OIL, a
he would term it. 4Look ere, stran
GER, what might your gwen name
be- "My name is Peter francisco
aAh!,' returned the Other, @you T
inst the man / want to fin" At tn
same time riding inside the fence n
dismounted and tied his animal
rough, ungainly Indian pony
, one of the posts. :,
..My name is Big Bill Stokes a
al, NOV from old Kentuck. L al