Jacob Francisco, [Ludwig, Christophel] was born about 1744 in Augusta County, Virginia. He was the son of Ludwig and Elizabeth Francisco. While much of the settlement of Augusta was primarily Scots-Irish Jacob’s family were part of the German element that migrated from Pennsylvania. When Jacob was born the county had been established but remained a part of Orange County until sufficient inhabitants could support a local government. When he was a year old Augusta held its first court. By 1770 portions of Augusta were Botetourt County and by 1777 Montgomery County, Virginia.

Nothing is known about his growing years nor his wife Catherine. His first three children are believed to have been born in Botetourt County: George, Christian and finally Mary about 1776. Jacob is said to have been convicted as a Tory in Montgomery County, Virginia. The Preston and Virginia papers of the Draper Collection state that a court composed of justices from Montgomery and Botetourt County did try Jacob Francisco, Jeremiah Stover and others for misbehavior and treason against the state in August 1780. While his patriotism was questioned his uncle, George, served in the Revolution.

Jacob received a 45 acre warrant in 1781 on the waters of Maiden Springs of the Clinch River adjoining another 200 acre tract he had already purchased. In December he received a grant for 300 acres on both sides of Indian Creek in Russell as well. Both he and his brother George signed a petition as a resident of Russell County to form a new county named Tazewell.

Our ancestor, Margaret, was born in Tazewell County about 1784 and her youngest brother, Jacob was born about 1790 in Tazewell. Jacob paid tax in Russell County until 1806. An 1806 legislative order defined the lines of Tazewell to include a description of land within Russell County beginning at Clinch Mountain...then running a straight line from Jacob Francisco’s Mill. Jacob Francisco was now a resident of Tazewell County, Virginia.

Jacob’s mill is mentioned again in 1808 when Jacob Robertson purchased property from Andrew McMillin. One of the lines in that deed reference Jacob’s mill. In 1809 Jacob served on the Grand Jury of Tazewell County. The same year he along with Davis Hanson, John Cecil and William Smith were appointed to view a new road in the county. That year our ancestor Margaret informed her father that she was going to marry Daniel Deskins. Family says he disowned her.

Jacob appears on the 1820 census of Tazewell County along with his son Jacob but both he and Catherine were gone and assumed deceased by 1830.

i. Margaret Francisco, born Abt. 1784 in Virginia; married Daniel Deskins 03 February 1809 in Tazewell County Virginia.

ii. Mary Francisco, born Abt. 1776; died 29 July 1853 in Tazewell County Virginia m. ? Griffith.

iii. Jacob Francisco (Source: Tazewell County Historica Society, Tazewell County Heritage Volume I, (1995).), born Abt. 1790 in Virginia; married Jane --?--.

iv. Christian Francisco

v. George Francisco