BUCKINGHAM — Perhaps the most famous man to ever live in Buckingham County, Peter Francisco joined a crowd celebrating the county’s 250th anniversary on Saturday.
While it wasn’t the real Francisco, a sword-wielding impersonator of the Revolutionary War hero attracted plenty of fanfare, along with other historical characters including an impersonator who recited Patrick Henry’s most revered speech.
Randall W. Turner, a self-proclaimed “Peter Francisco super fan,” traveled from Prince Edward County for the county’s celebration, partially to soak up more information about the war legend.
“There’s no doubt that Peter Francisco is the most famous guy from Buckingham County,” impersonator Travis Bowman said.
Francisco settled in Dillwyn after fighting in the Revolutionary War. Gen. George Washington called Francisco his “one-man army,” according to event organizers.
Bowman, author of “Hercules of the Revolution,” said it’s sometimes difficult to separate facts from myths in the surviving tales of Francisco. But it’s clear, Bowman said, that Francisco was a massive man and a war hero who helped secure a victory.
Francisco was said to be an enormous 6-1/2 feet tall by some accounts, Bowman said, which led Washington to order him a custom 6-foot sword, far too heavy for the typical soldier.
“You can clearly see the hand of God” in Francisco’s heroics, Bowman said, citing tales of unmatched strength and survival of numerous near-death battles.
Historians know little about Francisco’s origins, but they believe he came from a wealthy family because he had silver belts on his shoes. He was found in Hopewell as a child, according to historians, and placed in a judge’s Buckingham plantation.
“Those of us who grew up here will come back because we are proud of the history,” said Betty Bruce Shepard, an author and history buff who lives in Mount Vernon and visited her hometown of Buckingham for the celebration.
The Buckingham anniversary celebration at the county’s courthouse also attracted politicians including 5th District Rep. Robert Hurt, R-Chatham, and state Sen. Frank Ruff, R-Clarksville.
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