Tuesday, October 25, 2011 —
The Friends of the Library had its author dinner Thursday evening, welcoming author Travis Bowman to speak about his book “Hercules of the Revolution.”
Bowman’s book focuses on the story of his ancestor Peter Francisco, a 6’6” man who fought in the Revolutionary War alongside George Washington.
Bowman, who was born in Baltimore and lives in Charlotte, also stands 6'6”. He learned the stories of his ancestor from his grandmother, and after discovering a monument to Francisco, he decided to research the Revolutionary War hero’s past and ended up writing a book about him.
Costumed as his ancestor and carrying a six-foot sword like Francisco carried, Bowman shared stories from Francisco’s life and experiences during the Revolutionary War.
According to Bowman, Francisco was born in the Azores, off the coast of Portugal, but was kidnapped as a child and brought to the new world, where he was put to work on a plantation in Virginia.
When Francisco was 16, Bowman said, he signed up with the 10th Virginia Regiment of the Continental Army.
Impersonating Francisco, Bowman shared the stories of battles Francisco experienced. One story he told was about the time Francisco took part in the Battle of Stony Point.
“General George Washington was looking for an elite commando force to take Stony Point from the British,” Bowman said, in character as Francisco.
“It stood 300 feet on a rock wall, surrounded by swamp. It seemed impossible, but George Washington had a plan. About the stroke of midnight, we went in blazing.”
According to Bowman, Francisco was injured in the battle, but was able to take down the British flag before losing consciousness.
“We succeeded in taking the impossible,” Bowman said.
Bowman also shared the story of Francisco’s sword. The sword was designed especially for his ancestor, he said, after Bowman became friends with Gen. Lafayette while he was recuperating from an injury earlier in the war. Francisco commented to Lafayette about how small the standard swords were, so Lafayette later commissioned that a special, larger sword be made for Bowman.
After sharing stories about Francisco, Bowman answered questions from the audience.
One audience member asked Bowman if all the men in his family have been 6’6”.
“I’ve interacted with descendants from Alaska to Florida, and not one of them I’ve found was 6’6”,” Bowman said. He added that he feels a special connection to his ancestor because of their shared height.
Another connection between the two, Bowman said, is that the Virginia senate passed a resolution to observe Peter Francisco Day on the day Bowman was born.
Another guest at the dinner asked about Bowman’s sword and the original Peter Francisco sword.
“I had it made by a blacksmith,” Bowman said of his sword. He said that the location of Francisco’s sword is a mystery.
“The family asked to have it back from the museum during the Civil War. From there, nobody has seen it,” he said.
Another guest asked if Francisco ever married Susannah Anderson, a young lady Bowman mentioned in one of the stories he shared.
“I was waiting for that question,” Bowman said.
“He does, in fact, marry Susannah. There are many relatives who are descendants of Peter and Susannah.”
Bowman plans to continue writing the story of his ancestor. He was involved in producing a documentary about Francisco’s life, and the documentary airs occasionally on PBS stations. He has also been in talks with a film company about a movie based on his book.
For information about Friends of the Library, visit the library website at www.stanlycountylibrary.org.
Features
Related Videos
Related Photos
-
Author Travis Bowman impersonates his ancestor Peter Francisco, a 6’6” man who fought in the Revolutionary War. Marina Richardson
Discussion
Tall tales: Author shares story of Revolutionary War ancestor
- Features
-
-
Claytons owners of the ‘Lucky Duck’ in the GHA Autism Supports Rubber Duck Derby
Hundreds of individuals gathered at City Lake Park in Albemarle Saturday for the Fourth Annual GHA Autism Supports Rubber Duck Derby.
-
VIDEO: 'Ring of fire' solar eclipse
The solar eclipse that took place Sunday evening was an annular eclipse, one in which the moon blocks almost all of the sun. Some of the best viewing was in Asia, as with this video filmed in Japan.
-
Career Tips For New Grads
(StatePoint) If you’re a new college or high school graduate, you may have been told by older relatives that the best way to launch your career is to get a decent job and stick with it. But many experts today warn that the expectation of relying on one company to employ you until you retire is no longer realistic.
-
New Changes For Social Security And Federal Benefit Recipients
(StatePoint) The U.S. Department of the Treasury is phasing out paper federal benefit checks. Everyone who receives Social Security, Supplement Security Income (SSI) or other federal benefit payments by check is required to switch to electronic payments by March 1, 2013.
-
‘Dark Shadows’ — past and present
With respect to full disclosure, I have been a fan of “Dark Shadows” for a very long time.
-
‘The Avengers’ begins summer movie season in style
At this point there may be no need to review a film like “The Avengers.” In the first weekend, this latest film adaptation of comic book heroes grossed the highest box office receipts in history — $207,438,708.
-
Video: President Obama endorses same-sex marriage
A day after an amendment banning gay marriage passed in North Carolina, President Barack Obama tells ABC News that he believes same-sex couples should be able to get married.
-
Raw video: Camera captures dramatic hit-and-run
A surveillance video captured a driver striking a pedestrian and sending him flipping through the air. Police caught the driver within minutes. Incredibly, the victim wasn't seriously hurt.
-
Viral video: Zoo lion goes crazy over zebra-striped baby
A baby boy wearing black and white stripes -- like a zebra -- looked awfully tempting to a lioness at the zoo in Portland, Ore. this week. His parents captured video of the big cat pawing at her glass cage, trying to eat him.
-
Springfest allows kids to have fun as era at school nears an end
Ridgecrest Elementary School held its final Springfest on Friday. In the past, the games and events have helped assist with programs and enhancements to the school. With Ridgecrest closing, it was decided this one would be an event “for the kids.”
- More Features Headlines
-
