Richmond Chapter Inducts Descendant of Noted Patriot at Francisco Grave Site Ceremony

​The Richmond Chapter honored a celebrated Revolutionary War hero, Peter Francisco, and welcomed his 6th Great Grandson, William M. Brown III, Saturday, August 29 when Compatriot Brown was inducted a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
The ceremony was held at the site of Pvt. Francisco’s grave at Richmond’s Historic Shockoe Hill Cemetery. His is remembered as the “Virginia Giant” of the American Revolution.

The oath of membership was administered by Richmond Chapter President Dennis C. Peterson and witnessed by about 25 members and guests who braved reports of threatening weather to attend.  Not a drop of rain fell during the 30-minute ceremony we are pleased to report.

To give perspective on Compatriot Brown’s ancestor, Mr. Ed Bowman, an officer in the Peter Francisco Society, spoke to our group preceding the induction. Also pitching in to assist by holding the Colors on a breezy late Summer morning was Compatriot Brown’s son William M Brown IV who was promptly introduced to Chapter Registrar William Haskins.
 
Peter Francisco (1760-1831) is celebrated for several heroic acts during the Revolutionary War, most notably when he “saved a cannon weighing 1,100 pounds from capture by carrying it on his shoulder to safety” during the Battle of Camden, SC.  Words attributed to George Washington praise Francisco’s service.

“Without him we would have lost two crucial battles, perhaps the War, and with it our freedom. He was truly a One-Man-Army.”  In 1975 the U.S. Congress forever commemorated Peter Francisco’s patriotism with a USPS postage stamp.This was our Chapter’s first formal meeting since the COVID-19 restrictive order on public gatherings was imposed last March. 
​Submitted by Dennis Peterson